<p>@ErinsDad even if I am related to the admissions counselor to the school?</p>
<p>If you are currently in high school, you cannot conceivably have a lock on graduate school admissions, unless you already are engaged in Nobel-worthy scientific research . . . even then, a lot can change over 4-5 years. Your relative might change jobs. Focus on college admissions for now. </p>
<p>nope, knowing the admissions counselor will not help. There are x (6, 14…) spots in the program. Often, professors on admission committee duty get the files, review them, then meet and discuss the merits of all the applications they’ve received. Undergraduate grades, science GPA, advanced test scores, professional/research experience, and recommendations will all be weighted. The top x (6, or 14) applications will get in.
Your knowing an admission counselor will not help at all.
Being in the bottom 25 or 50% of your college class will get you cut right away at most reputable programs.</p>