I come from a small school in New Hampshire. There’s roughly 375 students in my school and 50 students in my graduating class–I’m first in my class. Only a few AP courses are offered, and there’s a very limited variety of extracurricular opportunities that are available; the town we live in doesn’t have much to offer either. Whatever the highest level a certain class is, I make sure to choose that level. I try to challenge myself as much as I can and make the most of what I have at my disposal, yet I still feel constrained and disadvantaged.
I hear about other schools that are larger, offering many AP classes, having a plethora of clubs and opportunities, and overall seeming to be better than my school in numerous ways. Will my school’s size and limited range of classes and EC’s make me less competitive for colleges? I feel like students who go to larger high schools have a better shot at getting into top colleges than I do. Is this true?
No, it will not be a hindrance.
Colleges evaluate things exactly as you described. They want to know that you took the most challenging courses you could, not whether the courses at your school are as challenging as those at another school.
Some colleges might even consider your situation as a plus and want to include a top student from a small rural (I assume) school compared to the thousands of applicants from large suburban high schools.
Colleges admit lots of homeschooled kids too.
So don’t sweat it.
You didn’t say what year of school you are in. If there’s time, make sure you maximize whatever EC or service opportunities are available. Consider attending a summer program somewhere if you are able. Does your school offer independent study during class hours, where you might be able to work on a special project closely with a teacher/advisor? But again, don’t sweat it, just make the most of what you can. Sounds like you are already doing that.
@alooknac
Thank you so much for your insightful and reliving response! I am currently a sophomore. I have around 50+ hours of volunteering at a hospital, and I should have 100-200+ by the time I graduate. I am also going to be doing volunteering for blood drives, and I do other random community services (e.g. church-related) here and there. I’m aspiring to become a doctor someday, so in conjunction with my hospital volunteering, I also have many hours of shadowing local doctors.
As for summer programs, I am not doing any (I’m utilizing my summers for SAT/SAT II studying and work), but I am going on a service trip to Ecuador in the spring of 2018. I’m also a member of the National Honor Society and Student Senate, I am the vice president of my class, etc.
As mentioned above, colleges will look at you in the context of what your school offers.
I HIGHLY! recommend applying to this program in the fall of your junior year. Have you heard of it? In addition to providing a summer of rigor, the program also provides excellent assistance with the college application process.
https://www.sps.edu/page/summer-asp/apply-to-asp
@doschicos
I have heard of that program! I will look further into it. Thanks!