I grew up in a farming community, worked in North Dakota, and now spend much of my time in the woods of northern Wisconsin. When I went to college having graduated near the top of my high school class, I was thrown into calculus, an advanced chemistry course and a seminar on lipid metabolism. I was traumatized doubting my capabilities. It was not until I was able to take courses at my level of knowledge that I was able to begin to compete. I have an appreciation for the topic of small schools and limited access to advanced courses.
The lipids seminar is kind of a funny, but related story. I originally wanted to be a high school biology teacher and coach. My high school guidance counselor could not find biology in the college catalog (Iowa State had multiple departments rather than a single biology department). The closest program was Biochemistry and Biophysics so that was my first major
My 45 year-old story may still apply. This recent report demonstrates the access option for students coming to college from rural, suburb and urban schools. We farm kids still operate from a disadvantage when it comes to advanced courses. Sounds like another justification for online opportunities to me.