<li>How important is the prestige or academic status of the high school from which you are applying?</li>
<li>Do colleges consider accomplishemts more worthwhile if you come from a poor district?</li>
<li>Do the elite colleges comapre applicants from the same high school?</li>
<ol>
<li><p>not as much as you might think. Colleges just want to see that you've taken full advantage of the academic opportunities available to YOU. Thus, in some ways, it might be better to come from a less prestigious school and have done great things, than a more prestigious school and done so-so things.</p></li>
<li><p>Yes, especially if your family situation (economics, etc.) mirrors the district overall. </p></li>
<li><p>Don't know the answer to this one but I suspect the answer is no.</p></li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li><p>Not too much... but if you come from a "superior" high school with a history of sending kids to Ivys, you better be one of the best or else you will pale in comparison to your peers.</p></li>
<li><p>Family situtation is always a factor... but don't expect financial status to cover poor GPA, SAT scores or extracurricular involvement. If the situation was brought about by safety situation (gangs, etc.) it's in your best interest to explain in your app.</p></li>
<li><p>I honestly think they are aware of students applying from the same school... they aren't going to admit one kid/reject another based upon a "quota" for a certain school but do keep in mind they want diversity in the class. 14 people from my school applied to Yale early (that I knew of) and only 2 were ultimately accepted.</p></li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li> In The Gatekeepers, the admissions committee at Wesleyan reviews applicants grouped by high school. However, that's only for apps that go to committee. It is possible to be admitted without committee vote if both readers check the admit box (they only do that for a handful, though)</li>
</ol>
<p>Bettina--How do you know so much about the process? You post frequently and seem to have lots of information, so I'm curious as to how you know all of this.</p>