Does the Applicants High School Matter?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hey guys, quick question for you. </p>

<p>So we all know that not all high schools are equal - actually, they tend to not even be close, at least here in Indiana. Some high schools will require much more out of their students than that of other schools for the same grade on a transcript. It seems pointless for a parent to place their child in a high rated school district, only for that educated child to loose out a seat in college to a student from a worse district, simply because that district is less academically rigorous.</p>

<p>This situation is my own; here in Indiana, the Carmel Clay district is by far the best public school system in the state - but I'm worried that my scattered B's will kill of my chances in getting into a college as opposed to somebody from IPS (Indiana Public Schools). My counselor made the argument that because we have rep's from Harvard, MIT, Northwestern, etc. all arrive and lecture our students about admission, I'm not at a disadvantage. But this is obviously a very biased opinion. So here's my question:</p>

<p>Does it matter what school the applicant is applying from? Or do admissions officers not look at the schools from which a colleges applicants originate?</p>

<p>**Sorry if this was asked before, I'm new to the site.</p>

2

<p>Don’t obsess over the “grass being greener” at other schools where you could easily envision yourself as the valedictorian, for instance.</p>

<p>Some anecdotes for you:

  1. val at an inner city HS , got full ride scholarship to UMich. She was overwhelmed and dropped after 1 year. Eventually got a degree but she was not very prepared for high level college work</p>

<p>2) neighbors’ kids here in my school district. A-/B+ kids. Went to large state school – not particularly selective. But they and their friends have dominated their classes b/c at our well resourced schools, the teachers were free to teach and had very high expectations. My friends’ kids told me they were head & shoulders more prepared than other freshmen.</p>

<p>Thus, top colleges know how to read all the subtleties. Of course they look at the quality of a HS.</p>

<p>and to be frank, the val of a very sub-performing HS might have a 22 ACT and a 3.5 GPA with maybe a dozen or so fellow graduating seniors planning on enrolling in any 4 year college. How does that compare with your HS?</p>

3

<p>i think colleges look at how you do compared to your school before with everyone else.</p>