Interesting....where do the average and below average people....

Applying to College
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<p>Ok, so take my high school: it is pretty renowned in the area. Only the top 2 people from my middle school got in my year. However, only like the top 20% or so of my high school get into top schools like Cornell, Harvard, Northwestern, etc. The average people go to state U, and the below average people go to tier 3's and 4's, about 5% go to a CC.
Once they are in these top schools, where do the average and below average people (in terms of GPA and test scores) end up?</p>

<p>So at Harvard or Yale or UChicago, do only like the top 30% get into top Grad schools? And the rest go to average grad schools or something?</p>

<p>All numbers used here are hypothetical and for demonstrative purposes. When I say average or below average, I mean only GPA or test scores. Not talking about their persona qualities.
Thoughts?</p>

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<p>You’re assuming that everyone is going to go to grad school…I don’t have the numbers, but the number of people that continue to grad school is definitely much lower than the number of those in undergrad.</p>

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<p>most people will just end up with regular jobs…</p>

<p>I don’t really understand what you’re getting to haha</p>

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<p>20% to top colleges from a high school, especially a public one, is very high.</p>

<p>Yes, you will have to do very well in college to get into a top grad school–even at top colleges. It’s similar to high schools, from an average one you need to be very top of class for top colleges, whereas some below top 10% at a very competitive high school still have a shot. The same relationship exists between colleges and grad schools.</p>

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<p>For grad school, things are a bit different, so I disagree with hmom on this one somewhat. I have a daughter that is in first year of grad school. Grad school’s don’t get your rank, although they will see if you graduated with honors, if you are phi beta kappa, etc.</p>

<p>They will see your transcripts and gpa, so that is most important. While you don’t have to be at the top if you come from a good school with a strong department, you can do well regardless (it never hurts, though, see, less stress for your parent too, lol.)</p>

<p>Research experience rules, as well as any publications if you are fortunate to get on that track. If you have serious research, it can trump anything, especially at top schools.</p>

<p>After that, it is your recommendation letters. Building close relationships with your profs and doing research with them and having them be well known is helpful.</p>

<p>Then there is related work experience, if any.</p>

<p>Then there are GRE scores.Often top schools don’t take them or completely disregard them, where good, but lesser schools find them as part of an admission formula.</p>

<p>Also there are awards and research grants (that should go up higher.)</p>

<p>There is your own application including your SOP.</p>

<p>Also, for many grad schools, they don’t care so much about first 2 years, or non-major classes, there are many ways to slice and dice and present yourself in an application package, but for god sake be good at something and get on some research asap.</p>

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<p>@ flyingllama:
lmao i don’t know what i’m getting at either! XD</p>