<p>I'm trying to give advice to the underclassmen and middle schoolers in my area about what they should do to prepare for college and so that they can have a chance at elite universities. I went to the public school in my area(it offers IB) and have gotten into Duke and Dartmouth so far. I did, however, consider an application to Exeter near my 10th grade year and wonder if I should advise the younger kids to do so especially considering their increasing financial aid packages. What do you think? Should they stay in public schools or try to get into prep schools?</p>
<p>Your chances are much higher at the top colleges coming out of a public school in Al.</p>
<p>Don’t go somewhere hoping to get into an ivy or such… Aren’t we past that?</p>
<p>But don’t act like 95% of the parents that urge their children to apply don’t do it solely based on Ivy placement and FA. CC’s in the minority, most parents barely know about the schools their children are applying too. And mon, I would say if the person is really smart just stay in AL. But if there an outgoing well-rounded person who could really blossom to something great, I would say go ahead and apply. Sometimes the really well-rounded kids start to slack off and get unmotivated, from my experience in my school atleast.</p>