What 21 High Schools Reveal About Harvard’s Admissions Process

ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice unpacks the startling statistic that 1 in 11 Harvard undergraduates come from just 21 high schools. We explore the concept of "feeder schools," their outsized role in shaping access to elite universities, and the implications for students navigating the admissions process from non-feeder schools. From privilege and equity to strategies for leveling the playing field, this episode dives deep into what it all means for students, parents, educators, and policymakers.

For additional thoughts from Director Alderdice, visit coreyalderdice.com.

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Learn more about ASMSA at asmsa.org/thrive.

Transcript

Today, we’re diving into a fascinating, yet troubling statistic about admissions to one of the world’s most prestigious universities. A recent analysis revealed that 1 in 11 Harvard undergraduates come from just 21 high schools. That’s right—21 high schools out of the roughly 26,000 high schools across the United States.

This finding touches on a concept known as "feeder schools." These are schools that, year after year, send a significant number of their graduates to elite universities. But what does this mean for students across the country? What are the implications for equity in college admissions, and what lessons can we draw about the pathways to these highly-selective schools?

Let’s unpack this together.

We’ll start with what makes these 21 schools stand out. Feeder schools typically share certain characteristics. Many of them are elite private schools—think Andover, Exeter, and St. Paul’s. Others might be highly-regarded public magnet schools like Stuyvesant in New York City or Thomas Jefferson in northern Virginia. These schools are known for their rigorous academics, extensive extracurricular offerings, and connections to top universities.

They often have college counselors who maintain relationships with admissions officers at elite universities. These counselors don’t just help students with applications—they’re strategists, mentors, and advocates. Their letters of recommendation might carry more weight because of the reputation of their schools.

And, perhaps most importantly, students at feeder schools are immersed in a culture where attending an Ivy League school feels not just possible, but expected. This culture shapes everything: from the courses students take, to the activities they choose, to how they prepare for standardized tests.

But here’s where things get complicated. While these feeder schools can be extraordinary launchpads, they also create barriers. Most of them are either incredibly expensive or incredibly exclusive—or both. Tuition at top private schools can rival or exceed college tuition. Even highly-selective public magnet schools often have admissions processes that favor families with the resources and know-how to navigate them.

This means that access to a feeder school is often determined by privilege. And that privilege has ripple effects. If elite universities disproportionately admit students from these schools, it creates a cycle where wealth and access to top education continue to concentrate in a small, elite group.

For students outside this circle, the playing field is anything but level. Imagine being a brilliant student at a rural high school or an underfunded urban school. Your transcript might reflect just as much talent and hard work, but without the same opportunities to build a dazzling resume or to connect with admissions officers, your chances of getting into a place like Harvard diminish.

So, what does all this mean for students who dream of attending a school like Harvard—or Stanford, Yale, or MIT? The reality is, where you go to high school does matter in the admissions process, but it’s not the only thing that matters.

Elite universities often claim they’re looking for students who’ve made the most of their circumstances. They say they want to see grit, resilience, and intellectual curiosity. But here’s the catch: those traits are harder to measure. It’s easier for admissions officers to recognize excellence when it comes packaged in the form of a feeder-school resume. This creates a bias—conscious or not—that can put students from non-feeder schools at a disadvantage.

For students at non-feeder schools, this means you have to be strategic. Make the most of the resources you do have. Seek out mentors who can help you tell your story in a way that stands out. Remember, universities value authenticity. They want to understand who you are and what you’ll bring to their campus. It’s not about trying to fit the mold of a typical Harvard student—it’s about demonstrating the unique value you add to the community.

But the burden of navigating this uneven system shouldn’t fall entirely on students. The larger question is: what responsibility do elite universities have to expand their reach?

If 1 in 11 students at Harvard comes from just 21 high schools, that’s a clear signal that the admissions process is funneling opportunity to a narrow slice of the population. Institutions like Harvard have made some progress in diversifying their student bodies, but there’s more work to do. Expanding outreach efforts, building partnerships with under-resourced schools, and rethinking how they evaluate applications are all steps that could make a difference.

And let’s not forget the role of policymakers and educators in this equation. Addressing inequities in K-12 education, funding programs that support college readiness in underserved areas, and breaking down barriers to advanced coursework—all of these can help level the playing field long before a student hits “submit” on a college application.

The statistic about Harvard’s feeder schools is both a wake-up call and a challenge. It shows us how entrenched systems of privilege continue to shape who gets access to elite institutions. But it also reminds us that change is possible.

If you’re a student listening today, take this as a reminder that your path to success doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. If you’re a parent or educator, think about how you can help open doors for the young people in your life. And if you’re in a position to influence policy or admissions, consider what you can do to ensure that brilliance and ambition have a fair shot—no matter where they’re coming from.