OP said &quot;...than it would be for a <i>similar</i> student from a rural school&quot;, and you and I both responded to that. We&#x27;re not talking about average students, in either context. I don&#x27;t think Harvard or anybody would care to see IB, interning, or posh sports on the app from South Dakota so long as they see a dedicated, talented student who will thrive at university and challenge her classmates.