Does coming from a competitive school help or hurt?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hi guys: </p>

<p>As some of you may know based on past post, I come from an ultra competitive school. Last year we had 6 students attend Stanford, 1 attend Dartmouth, 1 attend Columbia, 1 attend Upenn, 4 attend Cornell (2 legacies though), + lots at UC Berkeley and UCLA and 4 students got Trustee scholarships to USC (2 got into Columbia and Stanford and I think the other got into HYP, but not positive).
Note: last year's senior class about 450 students. Also, our test averages are somewhat low cause we also have many students on the slacker track LOL (aka going to CC no matter what). I got a somewhat extreme school in terms of grades/test scores. Their are very few kids in the middle. Most are either potential ivy leaguers or have committed to the local CC by the time frosh year ends. </p>

<p>So as you see, my high school is top notch (not bragging, just stating based on the facts). Now my concern is that my test scores are absolutely awful for my high school, but I guess okay for the general applicant pool. Will the fact that I go to an uber competitive high school hurt me significantly?
Here goes my stats: </p>

<p>ACT: 32 (this is just disgusting :(
SAT: 2090 (first time, not that upset). I will retake in January for Dartmouth (big reach school) and I am expecting a score that is considered average for top students at my school (2250+ and hopefully 2300+)
SAT IIs (not much better)
770-US History
710-Biology (this is the lowest score I know of, not joking)
650-math 2 (I am horrible at math, I got a B in pre calc honors and may get a B in calc BC AP. Those aren't even hard classes for most people at top schools. UGH, I feel so stupid LOL).
AP (I'll end on a somewhat positive note):
5-Euro
5-US
5-Bio
5-Comp. gov (read the review book, no course)
4-Human geo
4-English lang (bad essays :(</p>

<p>My GPA is okay and my school doesn't rank so I won't bore you with that stuff.
I am 75% white and 25% mexican but since I have no connection to the hispanic culture, I don't feel write putting it on my app. as I hear you need some cultural connection.</p>

<p>Am I royally screwed for top 20 schools? (Is the January SAT gonna be a test that makes/breaks my college chances?)</p>

2

<p>NOTE: I am not ■■■■■■■■, or trying to brag. Try to understand that where I come from a 2200+ score is not really much to be proud of. Lots of people have them. I am sincerely worried.</p>

3

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<p>No, it’s at or above the median for 7 of the top 20 universities and 17 out of the top 20 LACs. Relax - neither your high school nor the world of CC reflects the real world.</p>

4

<p>Being from a competitive high school helps. It gets you ready for the challenges of college, for one thing.</p>

5

<p>If you are truly concerned that having all the benefits of a great High School education will end up putting you at a disadvantage you need to get out and do some volunteer work that puts you into direct contact with people who’s concerns are based in the real world of receiving a poor education for all their efforts and the effects of poverty in their community. </p>

<p>I’m serious - all your education is (and will be) worthless if you think that comparing yourself to any select group for your relative disadvantage is a worthwhile use of even a moment of precious life. If your High School environment reinforces this level of micro-competitive thinking then do yourself (and the world you will help create) a favor and take a gap year, help others, discover real values, and in the process became a stronger candidate at any school. Because the best schools, like the best people - will care about you, if you know how to care about others. </p>

<p>Wishing you the very best and Happy Holidays…</p>