<p>I came from a midsize high high school in New York that has classes typically of about 300-400. Only 1-2 students a year go to an Ivy League School, and once you get past the top 30 the "going to college" rate drops steeply, or most go to a small state school (there's nothing wrong with this, mind you; im applying to a few myself). My question is will this help or hurt in a college admittance if I am at the top? Do colleges see that I haven't had much competition or challenges and am therefore not able to handle to pressures of college or will they see that I worked hard and did not get bogged down with everyone else? Any info is appreciated..</p>
<p>Not sure about the problem. But if you do well, you'll definitely have a favorable rank!</p>
<p>yeah I am ranked number 4, a rank im sure many many more qualified students around the world did not get. So in this respect I guess that helps me. But will the college think that I havent been challenged enough and am not ready for a tougher academic atmosphere?</p>
<p>Of course going to an uncompetitive hs is a bad thing.</p>
<p>It's why there is standardized testing. Scores allow them to see how you stack up nationally.</p>
<p>If you do well within your high school rank-wise and by taking the most difficult classes, follow your strengths through ECs, and do well on uniform tests like the SAT, you'll look good. However, though you'll have less in-school competition to get into top schools, colleges know that your school hasn't prepared you as well as top privates for college. You have to prove yourself outside of school grades and ranking to prove that you stand out nationally too.</p>
<p>colleges won't hold it against you that you went to a "bad" high school--they will never directly compare you to other students, rather they will compare you to your own student body and the opportunities you DID have.</p>