<p>I know this sounds weird, but is the fact that I go to a good high school (it's a public school that's ranked about 150 in the nation according to USN, and I'm pretty sure that includes private schools) going to slow down my getting into colleges?</p>
<p>So far, I've toured MIT and UPenn, and they both have mentioned that they like comparing students to other students in their schools. And that makes sense, because it gives equal opportunity to those born into lesser school districts, but I'm scared that they're going to compare me to everyone in my school. I don't have genius parents that a lot of my friends had, and I wasn't pushed as a kid to be extremely academic like many of my friends were, so I'm behind. Compared to students in other schools, I'm sure, I'd look much better (I got a 2180 on the SAT with barely any study, though I understand SATs aren't good measures of intelligence).</p>
<p>But my point is that, from maybe 8th grade and on, I worked really really hard. I have had 2 B's so far (semester classes, 1 was honors and 1 was AP, I am a 2nd semester Junior), I have lots of extracurriculars and I challenge myself (I'm in 2 of the top 3 hardest classes at my school and I'm taking the hardest next year), but there are so many people that do better than me at my school. I'm sure if I went to a regular school (and was pushed to the point where I'm at), I wouldn't have any B's.</p>
<p>So if these colleges are comparing me to kids in my school, I'm pretty much screwed. And I don't mean to be egotistical, because I believe equality of opportunity is important, but I just feel like I'm being cheated. Any thoughts? Am I overreacting?</p>
<p>Granted, there may be kids who are inherently intelligent than you are, but there are also kids who are less intelligent than you are in regard to academics, workmanship and further on. </p>
<p>As I always like to tell my friends and fellow students trying to overcome that burden of grades and college admission/preparation, there is no difference between an Einstein not working hard, therefore getting an F, and an average student trying to his best abilities, but fails regardless. In the eyes of the admission officers, they are just same. At least on the papers. </p>
<p>If you have gotten 2180 on SAT without external tutoring, that can only mean that you have intelligence many wish to have and quite possibly more. Did I fail to mention that ECs and Community Service are two of the most important things colleges look at next to the academics? </p>
<p>Prove yourself that you are indeed pursuing what you love to do - sports, politics, technology etc - and believe that you are no different than those who you deem “more intelligent” than you are if you try harder than they. Study a minute harder, sleep a minute less and read a page more when you can play COD (lol). </p>
<p>As long as you remain steadfast to the belief that you can do it, and you actually do, I guarantee you that college admission will notice it right away. Good luck</p>
<p>Many of those people who are “smarter” than you have simply received more tutoring or private classes than you have. Generally, their parents are just pushing them to do certain things in order to have a good resume. So, try your best to show real dedication to your ECs and achievements and show that they’re not just part of a college admissions checklist.</p>