Do US public school rankings affect college admissions?

How much do the rankings of public high schools in the US impact college admissions decisions? I'm trying to understand if attending a highly ranked school gives me a better chance of getting into a top university.

The rankings of public high schools can have some impact on college admissions, but they are just one piece of the big picture. Colleges want to see that you've taken the most challenging courses available to you at your school—essentially, that you've pushed yourself within the opportunities afforded to you.

If you attend a highly ranked or academically rigorous public high school, it often means that you have had access to a diverse range of Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses. Colleges notice this level of rigorous course selection. Such schools also often have better resources for college preparation and a history of students being admitted to top colleges, which could indirectly enhance your own application.

However, exceptional individual achievement can stand out no matter the high school. Admission officers take your high school’s profile into account and assess your achievement within that context. Whether you attend a highly ranked or lesser-known school, excelling in your classes, taking on leadership roles, and demonstrating passion in a few extracurriculars can still make you a compelling candidate.

Additionally, suppose your school is less competitive or not as high-performing. In that case, colleges may place more emphasis on standardized test scores to gauge academic ability. They take a context-based approach when reviewing applications, considering the resources available to each student.

Remember that every part of your application, from your GPA to your essays to your extracurricular activities, helps paint a picture of who you are as a student and how you might contribute to their campus. It's about the entirety of your application, not just the name or rank of your high school.