Does it matter what highschool you graduate from?

<p>I currently go to a small public school, thats a bit poor. But it's an overall good School, I can take a lot of AP courses there like:
AP BIO, AP PSYCH,AP PHYSICS,AP CHEM, AP CALC, AP EURO, COLLEGE FRENCH, COLLEGE ENGLISH, AP ART.</p>

<p>Thats a pretty good amount of ap courses for a small school. But I've also been given an opportunity to go to a more private school, but its out of the country! It's in Dakar, Senegal. And It's called the International School of Dakar. My dad was assigned in Senegal for work(IBM). It's an American school, so I'd be learning american curriculum.</p>

<p>I told my dad that I'd tey the school out for my Sophmore year of Highschool which is this coming school year. But I'm hesitant about spending my remaining years of high school over there.</p>

<p>Do Colleges, LIKE STANFORD. Take into consideration where you graduate from? Would it benefit me more to go to that private school, or can I stay in that public school knowing I get the same chances of getting Stanford, that I would if I went to a private school?</p>

<p>Take a step back, and look at what else you will be doing. Which school do YOU want to go to? What other opportunities will you have at each? Are there any major E.C. that you will have to give up for this, or will you be able to really develop your passions at this new school?</p>

<p>It shouldn’t matter to much as the admissions officers will get all the info from your school</p>

<p>I have a similar question about the importance of highschool:</p>

<p>I know that my college counselor writes a secondary school report giving Stanford an idea of what my school is like but I’m leery of what she might write. I go to a small boarding/ day so-called college preparatory academy but honestly my school is either unheard of or has a poor reputation(in the 80s it used to be called “acid hill” and is now sort of a feeder for Outward Bound). Even though I have a superb transcript, ECs, and essay, how will my school affect how Stanford sees me?</p>

<p>They should take into consideration the amount of opportunities that you’ve been given in the school. </p>

<p>Also, because many top schools usually only pick from the top few students from each school, transferring to a “better” school might actually hurt your chances.</p>

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<p>Regardless of where you go, you should be near the top of your class in all areas: GPA, SAT, AP/IB scores, ECs, etc. Of course, this means that a school with poor academics translates to lower expectations from the adcoms. </p>

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<p>Cosign 100%. Going to a big-name private high school won’t help you get into Stanford.</p>

<p>It doesn’t matter who you are, or where you’re from, or what you did…</p>

<p>I can’t imagine that it would look bad that you have travelled the world some and got a good education and exposure to other cultures. Have you been to Dakar? I have a friend who moved his family there for a couple years (working with the Embassy). While Dakar is not a poor country by African standards, it is certainly a different world than NY!</p>

<p>You may get more out of the experience than even Stanford could give.</p>

<p>And the tricks I have learned, the ATM areas in Dakar are air conditioned, I found myself taking out cash a lot to just cool off. Oh, and if you happen to be white, you will be a spectacle for little kids, just awesome experience how they react. And friendly!</p>

<p>And I found one good burger joint, but I forgot the name :)</p>

<p>Best of luck either way.</p>

<p>… as long as you love me, Stanford!</p>

<p>@TECHIE7df Ok, well to answer your question. I havent been to the otherschool yet, but I told my father that I’d try the school out, Just to get a feel of what its like. If I left My current school, I’d be giving up Band and Jazz Band which I’m currently in. I love to play Saxophone, and that would tear me apart to have to give it up. The sports I do in my current school, I could do over there. But the thing is acaddemically, the school I’m at here as more AP courses, then the other school school.</p>

<p>@freezingbeast The school I would be transfering to has had students apply to stanford and get accepted(Also with other top schools). My current school doesnt. But there are some Ivy League acceptances from PennState,Brown, and Princeton. A friend I know who goes to my school applied there, so we’ll see if he gets in or not</p>

<p>@TrikinCurt, Yes I have been there! Many times actually. My dad is from there, so when I was younger I would go there to see his side of the fam. Have you been to Dakar before?</p>

<p>starr8nn so! did you move to Dakar??? are you at ISD? if so, you clearly by now have figured out if you made the right choice yes, this year’s senior class has many acceptances to many “good” schools but no band, no dance, very limited APs, no emphasis on hard sciences, lots of athletics, etc yes, you may feel “limited” BUT what’s important is the fit for you and not the big name school after ten years and two graduates, there are certainly things you “give up” but if you are doing things right, you can get into anywhere from ISD you just must be innovative and never see yourself as “disadvantaged” no matter where you end up</p>

<p>Well I ended up going, although it wasn’t by my personal decision, and honestly I have got to say that I love it Of course the school is different from what I’ve ever experience. But I am glad that I am having the experience and honestly after living here for a while it makes me want to consider living abroad when I am older. No school could ever be perfect, but I have got to say I’m certainly happy with the friends that I have made and just the overall community feel of the school!</p>

<p>I think I know who you are, or at least who you’re related too (don’t feel creeped out haha, considering there are a limited amount of students with the the same last initial as you) Your daughter is one of the sweetest people ever!!!</p>