Strategies and methods for admission to prestigious U.S. universities.

Today's discussion is tailored for those who dream and aim for prestigious U.S. universities but feel limited because their current high school is not considered prestigious.

First, let's look at the number of high school students in the United States. There are around 23,000 public high schools in the U.S.

If your high school ranks within the top 1-700 among Public Schools, you're attending a relatively good high school. On the contrary, if your school ranks below 1,700, it's not competitive. In fact, it's not a favorable position when compared to other competitive students. Most high schools grade on a GPA scale as shown above.

A+/A /A- is Outstanding

B+/B /B- is Good

C+/C /C- is Satisfactory

D is Poor

F is Unsatisfactory

This is how performance is evaluated.

For students in competitive high schools, receiving Outstanding grades might secure admission to prestigious universities. However, even if a student from a less competitive school receives Outstanding grades, admission to top-tier universities becomes challenging. To secure admission to Top 20 universities or prestigious ones, one must demonstrate performance higher than the Outstanding level at their school. Therefore, feeling like your high school can't handle outstanding students like you should drive how you structure your high school classes and extracurriculars. This could be a strategy for entering prestigious universities from a non-prestigious high school. Let me elaborate on how to prepare for this plan specifically.

GPA (STEM students)

 • Mathematics

In a non-prestigious school, there might not be a wide variety of challenging courses available. If you want to major in STEM while attending such a school, what's the smart approach?

Don't structure your classes based solely on your high school's curriculum. Most of these schools offer courses like Pre-Algebra / Algebra 1/ Geometry/ Algebra 2/ Pre Calculus/ AP Cal AB. If you follow these, finishing with AP Cal AB by 12th grade won't lead to admission into prestigious universities.

Assuming the school ranks low and offers the most rigorous courses, it might have Pre-Cal in 9th grade and AP Cal AB in 10th. Then, for 11th and 12th grade, when no courses are offered, you should take AP Cal BC and Multivariable externally.

Also, consider taking AP Statistics alongside other math subjects, as it's an elective. This arrangement showcases how students from less competitive schools can create competitiveness in their academics through both in-school and external programs. Although most high schools open up to AP Cal BC, there are further levels like Multivariable / Linear Algebra /Differential Equation with complex numbers. Keep this in mind.

 • Science

Now, let's look at science. In less competitive schools, offered sciences might be Bio / Chemistry / Physics / AP Bio, with Bio being more common in AP. Similar to math, don't structure your classes according to your grade level. It's recommended to structure your subjects like the image on the right.

Take Bio in 9th grade, AP Bio, and Physics in 10th, and consider AP Chem in 11th and AP Physics C externally in 12th. Taking double sciences in 10th and then studying Physics C in 12th, while fueling intellectual curiosity, creates a path for admission to prestigious universities.

However, a prerequisite is maintaining a strong GPA from 9th grade. If your grades aren't even A+, pursuing difficult external subjects might not be favorable in college admissions.

GPA (Non-STEM students)

Now, let's address those from less competitive high schools aspiring to non-STEM fields in prestigious universities. In such schools, rigorous non-STEM programs might include AP Language / AP US History. In this case, taking English in 9th, AP US History in 10th, AP Lang in 11th, and pursuing related courses like AP European History / Sociology / Anthropology / Economics/ Political Science externally in 12th is recommended. Showing that you've attempted more challenging subjects beyond what your school offers is crucial. To reiterate, to undertake such difficult courses externally, your in-school performance needs to be outstanding, topping other subjects as well.

 • Standardized Tests

To conclude, it's advisable to submit Standardized Test scores. They should be notably high. If your school lacks competitiveness, high scores on standardized tests serve as evidence of academic strength, hence submitting good scores is vital.

 • Clubs

Don't neglect school club activities just because you're pursuing challenging external courses. Demonstrating involvement and commitment to school clubs, and showcasing your affiliation, is crucial. This showcases not only your academic prowess but also your role within the school community. One advantage of low-ranking, non-competitive high schools is the ease of forming clubs. While it's easy to become a founder or president of multiple clubs, it's more impactful to take a leading role in one or two clubs. Long-term commitment to a role will be viewed favorably in prestigious university admissions.

 • Research

In high-ranking, competitive high schools, there are ample research opportunities within and in connection with nearby universities. However, in low-ranking schools, such opportunities might be scarce. If possible, engage in research, even externally, focusing on a topic of interest. It serves as a strong EC showcasing your academic interest.

 • Essays

For U.S. college admissions, there's the Main Essay for the Common App and supplemental essays specific to each college. Crafting a Main Essay that tells a story and intertwines external courses taken by the student in Supplement Essays, showcasing intellectual curiosity, garners university interest. Your high school's standards in terms of curriculum and available activities differ.

Don't give up on prestigious university admissions just because your high school is low-ranking and non-competitive. Apply the methods we've shared, and do your best.