<p>Increase your chances at? Getting into an ivy league school, getting into a state school? getting a scholarship?</p>
<p>Generally, some schools with need blind admissions would look favorably at a candidate from a poverty background if that student has strong (not necessarily the best) credentials. </p>
<p>Other schools want kids that can pay the tuition. </p>
<p>So, the answer to your question depends on what you want and what you managed to accomplish despite your life circumstances.</p>