<p>I'd really love to go to Yale. Though, my highschool is basically a feeder to our local community college. I mean, a few kids go to state school, and a couple go to competitive colleges. There have been a few kids who got in to M.I.T, Duke, and a few ivy league schools in the past 20 years, but thats about it. My family doesn't have the money to send me to a top boarding school, or private school, and there arent really any top public schools in my area. Am I basically set up for a rejection?</p>
<p>No. I went to a worse high school than you and I still got in. It doesn't matter what HS you go to, but what you do with your time there.</p>
<p>You don't need to go to a top high school to get into Yale. Take full advantage of whatever resources your high school offers (you really need to stand out in the context of your school) and do well on your SATs, and you will be considered equally plenty strong enough academically for Yale admission (though being strong enough academically is hardly to get in, but you'll have as good a shot as anyone).</p>
<p>the fact that you still got in, says nothing to the fact of whether or not it was harder or easier to get in having come from a non-top high school</p>
<p>Thanks for the quick replies. I definitely am taking complete and full advantage of what resources my school offers. I'll be optimistic, but i won't have my heart set on Yale.</p>
<p>I went to the most under-funded, heinously run, drop-out oriented high school ever. If you really don't feel good about settling for your local drop-out hangout, you can always take a year or two at the community college. CC's are great, esp. if you live in a diverse area and get to immerse yourself with people from all walks of life in the same classroom.</p>
<p>There is an option for me to take my senior year AT the community college full time, while getting my high school diploma. I might consider this as an option, because I know that the local community college has a much wider range of courses compared to my highschool.</p>
<p>I think it is important for you to make sure that the people who are writing letters of recommendation for you understand the importance of their letters. I would suggest you prepare a resume and schedule a time to talk to the person (well in advance & when they are not busy) and tell them why this opportunity is so important to you. If you are a high performing student in a low performing high school, you probably shine anyway & it will be easy for them to write a good letter. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>There are disadvantages and advantages. The good thing is that Yale knows eaxctly what you are dealing with, and they try to get kids like you (and me, coincedently) from schools like this! They will evaluate your application only in reference to how well you did in your current environment. So, basically, if your school sucks, they don't hold it against you. In fact, they say the opposite - "look, this kid got these scores and succeeded at this even though he was in a crappy school!". That being said, a hapless guidance department and/or teachers who don't know how to write a rec can be a negative. Pick teachers wisely, and if possible read the rec before it is sent (at my school all the teachers just handed it to me to approve). You will probably have to be the one giving guidance to the guidance department on how to do this kind of thing. Be gentle and listen to their advice, but consult knowledgable CCers or other resources on all matters as well. When it comes time for the essays and application, make sure you know what you are doing! Do not take just one person's advice! Do not do it in a hurry 2 days before it is due! You can do it, heck, you are applying to Yale, which already puts you in a well informed group.</p>
<p>Wow, very helpful replies! There are 2 teachers that I know, and have known, since freshman year. I plan on asking them to write my reccomendations, both are knowledgable and trustworthy. Though, our school makes upperclassmen get new guidance councilers, so i'll have a completely new counciler next year who has no idea who I am. Hopefully i'll be able to build a strong relationship with him/her and let them get to know me!</p>
<p>If your high school is small and has limited resources, you not only have to do very well in school, but it is even more important that you be meaningfully involved in ways outside what the school normally provides in order to distinguish yourself. </p>
<p>Example: Scientific or humanities research projects, community service, local government involvement, being a published writer, or a lauded poet, artist or musician. Not just "resume builders", though, but something meaningful. And get one of the people you've worked with -- i.e., not a schoolteacher -- to write an additional letter describing what you have accomplished.</p>