Prestige vs Quality in High School Education

Okay, so I've read on some forums that the prestige of a high school can have an impact on college admissions, but I'm at a fairly normal public school. Does the prestige of a high school really matter that much?

Absolutely, the reputation of your high school can play a role in the college admissions process, as admissions officers aim to understand your accomplishments in the context of the resources available to you. However, the crucial element here is context.

It's important to understand is that the focus shouldn't really be on prestigious vs non-prestigious, but on the academic opportunities offered at the school and how well you've been able to take advantage of them. If you're attending a school with limited resources but you're making the most of what's available, college admissions officers will take note of that.

For example, if your high school doesn’t offer a lot of AP classes or extracurricular opportunities, but you have been proactive to seek out opportunities elsewhere (such as taking community college classes or starting your own club), that effort off-sets the lack of formal 'prestige'.

Schools with more resources or prestige may offer more in terms of AP classes, extracurricular clubs, or college counseling, which can potentially give their students an edge in the admissions process. But colleges are also aware of this and they balance it out by putting weight on personal achievement and self-initiated growth.

So don’t worry too much about whether your high school is prestigious. Instead, focus on making the most of the opportunities available to you, and pursuing your interests with depth and dedication. If you can show this in your application, it will make a significant difference.