I’m currently a senior, my high school is a private school that has a stricter grading scale than most schools. For example, where in most schools a 90 average in a class is worth 3.7 for a gpa, in my school a 90 is only worth 3.0. I was just wondering if colleges convert your gpa to a normal scale when you apply? The scale is on my transcript but I’m not sure if they look at it, and my gpa is significantly higher on the scale used at most schools. Also, my school doesn’t offer AP, only honors classes. And honors classes are only offered for certain subjects. (for example, there is no honors math in my school, only regular level). I’m currently taking the highest level classes that I can, but will colleges admissions know that if there is no AP on my transcript? Also, even though they are not AP classes, you can get college credit for honors classes at my school. Will that affect it in any way?
Your high school will send the colleges you apply to a list of classes offered at your high school, so colleges admissions counselors will know that you’re taking the highest classes offered. If you’re really worried about it, you can email the admissions office and let them know, but I work in the admissions office at my college and have definitely seen high schools send lists of classes to counselors. This is because all high schools are different and counselors have to keep things fair when reading applications.
Also, I believe many colleges do convert to a normal scale. At least mine did. That’s a question you should email an admissions counselor about or ask when calling the admissions office. Some schools might, and some might not.
Every high school sends a school profile along with each transcript. The class profile includes things like the levels of classes offered, average GPA, and the grading scale used at the HS – so your transcript/GPA will be reviewed in the proper context. Also a number of colleges recalculate GPA using different measures (ex. unweighted, academic subjects only etc.)