Public Vs Private High Schools - Which Are Better?

There are an increasing number of admissionsSimply put: because many private schools charge
consultants discussing the benefits of applying totuition and don't rely on state and local taxes to
college from either a public or private high school.survive, private high schools can channel more
Further, many parents and students want to knowresources into college counseling and other things like
whether going to a private high school will give themcomputer technology. So if you're going to a private
a greater advantage in the admissions cycle. So we'llschool use the resources wisely. And our admissions
discuss the benefits of applying from either public orconsultants help both public and private school
private schools.students, regardless.o There's a better chance you
Applying to College From Public High Schools:o There'scan speak with current and former students at top
a greater chance that you might "stand out" moreschools.
with higher SAT and ACT scores.Because there are more students from private
Most admissions offices have statistics ofschools at the top colleges, your private school is
matriculated students from any given high school.more likely to put you in touch with a current
These show the performance of students from anystudent who can help facilitate a campus tour or
high school at their college. In fact, many high schooldiscussion with the admissions office. In addition,
admissions offices provide SAT and ACT mediansthese contacts will help you find out what school is a
from their respective school. So, if you score waygood fit for you. So find out what graduates went
higher or lower, it could be seen more or lessto your choice schools and contact them, and even
favorably. If a recent study by the Center onconsider using admissions consultants to help you
Education Policy concluding that students scoreapply to college.
slightly higher on SAT Verbal / Math from publicSo now you know...
schools is correct, then you might stand out with aOverall, it is doubtful that an admissions office will
higher score.o You are more likely to be the only onethink more or less favorably of your application
applying to a "Top" Collegewhether at a public or private school; the most
Because some public high schools are more worriedimportant thing is to create an application that shows
about students attending high school at all, if you'reyou contributed to your high school (public or private)
one of the few students applying to an Ivy Leagueand will do the same in college.
School or to another "Top 50? college (based on U.S.Remember, the key to applying to colleges is making
News and World Report), admissions officers willsure that you develop a strong theme in your
make note of this fact. Often times students recalladmissions application that shows you stood out of
of X student of 300 total from Y public high schoolthe crowd, regardless of whether you went to a
getting into Harvard. In some cases, this is true. Butpublic or private high school. Don't worry about
work on increasing your scores and improving yourwhether you're currently at a public or private school,
essays, and then apply to college. Don't worry aboutthe SAT and ACT create enough objective criteria to
the fact that you have to apply from a public school.evaluate your applications that this fact becomes
Applying to College From Private High Schools:o Manyirrelevant.
private schools have greater resources.