<p>I know that colleges look at how the high school calculates GPA and your class rank, but if you go to a very competitive high school, even great grades doesn't always put you at the top 10%. Will colleges acknowledge the competitiveness of the high school, or will they think that the scores at the school are inflated because of easy classes. I go to a public school, not a private one, but it is one of the top ranked public schools in NY. Will competitive colleges recognize that a slightly lower GPA of 3.6 unweighted and being on the outside of the top 10% isn't the same as going to an easier high school?</p>
<p>Colleges also receive a high school profile which shows everything about your high school. They will take into account how difficult the classes are at your high school. Although it may not count for as much as you would like, it will still count for something if they’re comparing you to a kid who has the same gpa but goes to a very easy high school, or a super competitive private school. All depends.</p>
<p>Colleges get a school profile from your counselor that provides the information they need, and they can contact the school if they need further information about the school. If you ask your counselor, he or she can probably provide you with a copy of the profile.</p>
<p>Colleges consider you within the context of your high school, so they usually give a bit more leeway on GPA to students at competitive high schools.</p>
<p>Some colleges do and some do not. The larger public universities often do not have time to go though all of the information that the high school profile has and they don’t care. They will deny and accept based on set criterion and many are not about to be assessing high schools. </p>
<p>The more select colleges tend to do that. A lot of the, rigorous prep schools as well as certain public schools are well known to these college and they do assess those candidates in the context of their school. </p>
<p>I know that kids from one of my son’s selective independent schools have a tough time getting merit money that has gpa conditions because the school does not weight, the classes would be considered honors or AP in any school that does weight, the grade curve is steep. A 3.5 is an outstanding average at this school and there are very, very few kids if any that get a 4.0 in a graduating class as opposed to our public school where there are pages of kids who have above a 4.0 and a 3.5 won’t get you into the honor society. It can be a disadvantage to go to such a rigorous school if the college plans include those colleges that do not take high school profiles into consideration.</p>
<p>Absolutely, they are able to determine the impressiveness of your GPA from the school profile, from rank, and from teacher and counselor recs. Your regional representative will be fairly well acquainted with all the schools in his or her area. </p>
<p>Keep in mind, however, that applicants to top schools are expected to be outstanding students. This means they should stand out in most high school settings, even when they attend a more rigorous prep school.</p>