College Admissions: Why High School Rankings Matter to Colleges

College Admissions: Why High School Rankings Matter to Colleges

High school rankings are always controversial. Parents feel slighted when their town doesn’t have a top ranked school. And everyone is left wondering---how much does it really matter? While colleges don’t like to discriminate against students from socio-economically deprived school districts, there are reasons that being at a highly ranked school can help when it comes to college admissions.

Course Rigor and AP Availability

High schools are required to file school profiles to colleges each year when a student submits an application. The profile details how many students take the SAT or ACT, the mid 50% range for scores, the number of students who fall into each GPA level, the AP or IB* courses that are offered, percent of students go on to a 4 year college, and where last year’s class matriculated. For college admissions officers, these items paint a picture of the quality of the school and student preparedness for college. Since colleges are very concerned about attrition rates, these factors are important (the national freshman-sophomore college attrition rate is about 25%). High schools that have more AP or IB courses and higher SAT or ACT scores, give admissions officers the confidence to say “yes” more often. Additionally, students who have more AP or IB courses on their transcripts often have the edge in admissions decisions because colleges look at “course rigor” when evaluating candidates.

SAT and ACT Scores Matter

While about one quarter of 4-year colleges in the U.S. have become SAT/ACT optional, most have not, and grade inflation is still a topic of national debate. According to the U.S. Dept. of Education, approximately 38% of 12th graders graduate with an A average. Colleges question that staggeringly high number. The rigor of a biology class in one school district can differ incredibly from the rigor in another. SATs or ACTs often become the “level playing field” for colleges to assess students and make admission decisions. Then once accepted, SATs or ACTs can play a role in how much merit aid you receive. Even at test optional colleges, scores are sometimes required in order to be considered for scholarships. So, a high school with a curriculum that prepares students well for the SAT or ACT can be a significant advantage.

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Money Matters

Spending per pupil can translate into attracting top teachers with higher salaries, but it can also mean a wider variety of student services and better extra-curricular activities. In today’s age of competitive college admissions, extra-curricular activities are often a defining factor. Recruited athletes have an edge, but so do talented artists, musicians, actors, debate team captains and student council presidents. If a school cuts clubs, athletic teams or funding for the arts, it can seriously hurt a student’s chances for admission to college and scholarship dollars. Student services are also critical, in the form of learning disability resources and tutoring programs. Children who struggle in school succeed when they receive the right help, but without assistance, they often fail to get into college or stay there once accepted.

Rankings aren’t the Holy Grail, but in the end they can play an important role in evaluating how competitive your child will be when their application hits the desk of an admissions officer.

*IB is an acronym for International Baccalaureate

Cristiana Quinn, M.Ed. is the founder of College Admission Advisors, LLC which provides strategic, college counseling and athletic recruiting services for students. http://www.collegeadvisorsonline.com/.

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