<p>There has been a great deal of discussion about this, on the forum and at school. My conclusion is that:
In order to get into a top school (Ivies and other hypercompetitive schools), you must be at the very top of your class. If you can do that at a prep school, that's best. If you cannot, you stand a better chance at your local public.
In order to get into a good or decent school, if you can get at least decent grades, prep school is preferable. Surviving a top prep is usually qualification to go to a decent school, and even being a good student at a public isn't always.</p>
<p>Doesn't it depend on the public school in question?</p>
<p>I just spent some time several friends of S and they went to:</p>
<p>Vanderbilt(2)
Bucknell
Richmond
Williams
Bowdoin
UVA
Cornell</p>
<p>and they were pretty representative of their public HS...</p>