I want to know if a student that comes from a not very competitive school is at any disadvantage when it comes to college admissions. I know for a fact that in my case my school is not very competitive at all (about #150 out of 400 in the state and max. 300 kids in my grade.) Would a student coming from a “low-tier” public school but taking the most rigorous course load possible be at some sort of disadvantage to a student coming from a magnet school who is also taking the most rigorous course load at their school (which would be more rigorous than that of the other student)?
it all depends on where you’re applying.
The problem is that it’s easy to stand out in a school full of mediocre students and not be the best in the country. It’s great that you’re top of your class and this will put you in a good place with a lot of very fine schools. However if you’re going for the tippy top, you’re going to have to prove that you’re not just exceptional for Average High School, you’re exceptional when compared to kids who do go to the magnets and pricey private schools.
You do this through test scores, extra curricular activities, and good writing.
So in some ways you’re at a disadvantage, but in a few other ways you are ahead. You won’t be competing with other kids for your teacher’s letters of recommendation, for example.