<p>I attend one of the most academically rigorous public high schools in the country, and am taking 6 AP classes this year. Needless to say, the workload and course difficulty is rather extreme this year and has put me around a 3.7 GPA (my top 2 schools I want to apply to are Northwestern and Columbia, so that's below average for both of them). I'm preparing for the AP exams now and looking at what collegeboard has posted, and the AP exams look significantly easier than most of the classes at my high school were. If I do very well on all 6 of my AP exams (all or nearly all 5's), will that indicate to colleges that my high school was very hard and make me a more favorable candidate for these schools despite my lower than average GPA? I've heard that AP scores aren't a huge factor of consideration, as most colleges don't require them, but in this case it seems like they would be good indicators.</p>
<p>Since AP scores are self reported they don’t make much of an impact on your admissions decision.
Will colleges look at them? Yes.
Will a 5 offset a B (or lower)? Not unless your teacher is willing to change your grade based on your AP score. </p>
<p>It may help a little bit. However, usually the school would look at it in the opposite way. When one got great GPA put poor AP score, they will will think your school has grade inflation. From the school profile and report, they should know how competitive your school is already.</p>
<p>My guidance counselor explained it to me like this: If you get a C+ in the class but a 4 or 5 on the exam, colleges will be more likely to forgive that grade because it looks like the class was thoroughly intensive/rigorous but you still mastered the material.
However, if you get an A in a class but a 3 or below on the exam, it makes it seem as if the course wasn’t challenging.</p>
<p>In short, a 4 or a 5 can make up for a C+ or a B- (in the sense, the college probably won’t count it against you too hard) but a 3 or below will damage your A.</p>
<p>If your HS is really that competitive ask your GC where students with your grades have attended. They should have a good idea of how well your grades match up historically. Also Naviance may help if your school uses that.</p>