How to deal with a (semi)crappy school?

Applying to College
1

<p>My high school is, well, subpar in both academics and in the opportunities it provides.</p>

<pre><code> We have very few AP's, we only offer one language and for 3 years, and we're practically a year behind neighboring districts when it comes to when our students can take certain courses. (I won't be punished for this, right?) People think we're a good school because of our test scores, but the academic "top" of our student body is lacking. Our school is geared toward people who want to go to college in state (out of a 400 person senior class, about 20 went out of state last year.)
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<p>Oh, and we're really poor.</p>

<pre><code> But my biggest concern is the opportunities our school provides, which are very little compared to those provided by the schools of most CC'ers.

For example, many of the most successful applicants on CC qualified for USAMO, USNCO, USABO, etc... I would love to be given the opportunity to take the qualifying tests, but my school does not provide the tests for these competitions. And I don't know if many students would be interested, anyway.

Also, we don't have a whole lot of clubs, either. We have key club, beta club, SADD, but that's almost it. This means (1.) Unimpressive EC's and (2.) Lack of opportunities for leadership.

I'm on the debate team. We are a very small group and, sadly, most of our participants do not do very well. I usually win a medal when we go to a competition, but we go to so few competitions it doesn't matter. And our debate team has $0.

So I'm wondering what to do. Is there any way to (or purpose in) talking/ writing the administrators? Also, should I try to start a club(s)- and for those of you with experience, how do you do this effectively? And what are the easiest/ most impressive clubs to start up? How should I go about getting the AMC, USNCO, etc... tests? How should I go about getting dedicated teacher sponsors?
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<p>I also feel it important to add that I am fairly close to the assistant principal for my grade (she's my neighbor) and my MOM is a teacher at my school, lol. </p>

<p>I know this is long and there are a lot of questions, but I'm really frustrated...Thank you for reading through this, and please help!</p>

2

<p>Same issue here. It’s made my ivy dreams so much harder.</p>

3

<p>Exactly! I don’t know if we’ve EVER had a student go to an ivy.</p>

4

<p>Come on guys, please help!</p>

5

<p>Many, probably most, selective colleges really try to evaluate you in the context of your own environment. What matters is what you’ve done to make the most of the opportunities you have in your school, your hometown, etc. For admissions, it matters little, if at all, that you didn’t have the same educational opportunities as an applicant growing up outside NYC and going to Scarsdale HS.</p>

<p>Admissions officers will get information about your high school from the secondary school profile that your school sends along with your transcript and your guidance counselor’s recommendation. They’ll get some information directly (e.g., how many graduates go to four-year colleges, or two-year colleges, or the military), and some by inference (if half the graduates get jobs or enter the military, probably few graduates, if any, go to really selective colleges).</p>

<p>Of course, this doesn’t address the social and cultural issues you might confront once you enroll in a school–whether you’re the only Yalie from Truth-or-Consequences, New Mexico, or you’re the only New Yorker at the Montana School of Mines.</p>

6

<p>There are things you can do while attending a mediocre high school that may impress admissions committees. I’ve seen profiles of students here who

  • Self-study APs
  • Run their own small business (lawn care, car detailing, jewelry making, etc.)
  • Work or do internships with an established business
  • Take classes at community college
  • Organize a large charitable event
    and so on.
    As for starting a club, it should be one that you are excited about. There’s no point trying to start a club just to look good. On the other hand, it has to be something that other people want to do, too. A club with one member isn’t going to help.</p>
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<p>^Thanks! Those are the kinds of ideas I was looking for! And I already have a couple of ideas for clubs to start up :slight_smile: And one more thing, does self-studying AP’s really help in the application process? If so, how much?</p>

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<p>Oh, and a lot of colleges actually respect working for money. It shows maturity and stability.</p>

9

<p>Sorry for the ambiguity, I meant the school is poor, not me :)</p>

10

<p>Oh. That’s definitely better for you, then!</p>