<p>I'm wondering if a level/prestige of the high school one attends affects the admission process.</p>
<p>For example, Student A is top in a very very competitive high school with SAT score of 2350. </p>
<p>Student B is top in a mediocre school with the same SAT score as Student A.</p>
<p>If the colleges aren't aware of the rigor of the high school Student A attends nor the easiness of Student B's school, are they regarded as the same, although it is much harder for Student A to have his ranking and GPA?</p>
<p>SAT is supposed to be regarded the same wherever you come from, unless of course your financial situation is really bad, which is another story.</p>
<p>The colleges are aware of the rigor of the high school. Along with your recommendations, your guidance counselor will send a school profile, a sheet describing the percentage of students going to 4-year colleges, GPA statistics, average SAT scores, and AP courses offered. Plus, in many cases, the college will have experience with your high school based on the performance of past applicants from the school. However, as mruncleramos says, SAT scores are generally regarded in the same way unless there are extenuating circumstances, like race or income level.</p>
<p>The top colleges tend to have a good idea of the rigor at schools that frequenty send applicants, and can often deduce how demanding other schools are by looking at their statistical profiles, the applicant's standardized tests and class rank, etc.</p>
<p>All things being equal, I'd say the kid with the 2350 at an average or below average school would get a boost vs. another kid with the same score at a competitive magnet school.</p>
<p>I'm guessing because the kid at a below average school probably had less resources for prepping for the SAT. Keep in mind though that there are lots of factors when it comes to American university admissions.</p>
<p>Plus, the kid at the worse school would stand out more compared to his classmates, who probably had mediocre test scores, while the kid at the good school would have more competition in terms of high SAT scores.</p>
<p>oh, hm ok. One more question. Does that mean going to a mediocre school is better than going to a competitive school since everything one does would stand out in a worse environment? Then why would anyone go to top private high schools or really competitive schools? Wouldn't they rather go to a normal, unexceptional high school and just study really hard and have exceptional EC's? What are everyone's thoughts on this? =)</p>
<p>if 2 kids with a 2340 SAT score go to the same, competitive highschool, then will the poorer one of the kid get an advantage? And when I say this I mean like, a $40,000 family income vs. a $180,000 family income.</p>
<p>My school is top notch and colleges love us - especially NYU, Carnegie Mellon, Johns Hopkins, and Penn.</p>
<p>People here don't do things like enter ISEF or organize huge charity events. Colleges understand that getting straight A's at my school means you really are something. Then all you need to distinguish yourself from your classmates is some leadership and initiative, and you're set. But it's really, really hard to do all that - we're uber competitive.</p>
<p>I would think that colleges would look more favorably upon Student A (the competitive high school one). I agree with Roger_Dooley that the SAT score of Student B is more impressive given his/her surroundings, but being ranked number one at a very competitive school would be much more of an accomplishment than holding the top spot at a school with no competition. Which is more impressive: The student who is ranked above his classmates who will end up at top 20 schools or the student who is ranked above students who will end up at the local university? </p>
<p>Of course, with a 2350 and number one ranking neither of these students will be hurting for acceptances and the differences between being accepted or denied will almost undoubtedly be the effect of essays, recommendations, and ECs.</p>
<p>Ceteris paribus, though, I think student A has the edge considering both SAT and rank.</p>
<p>I think it really depends on the college. If you take those that are not need blind, which is most, the kid from an affluent, competitive prep will probably be the first one accepted. When you talk HYP and the very top, they do try harder for diversity, so you will certainly see kids from more deprived backgrounds getting in. However, it's hard to ignore that about 40% come from private schools at the top colleges yet only 7% of the kids in the Country go to private schools and that includes parochial schools. Kid's at top schools are landing at excellent colleges if not always HYPSM.</p>
<p>Just remember that the top prep schools are deep with endowment funds and give fully 30% of each class financial aid. These 30% are applying to colleges as "deprived" financially.</p>
<p>You get boost at an average or below average school only if you are ranked number one or two. You are better off in a good school if you are top 10%.</p>
<p>how about if a kid has a great gpa at a mediocre high school versus a kid with an average gpa at an excellent high school (high API score) and they both have the same SAT scores and EC’s.</p>
<p>I wonder if a college has had many bad experiences with students that have come from one high school, then would they think twice about accepting another student from that high school? Or do you think they’d disregard that and just look at the student.</p>