<p>I've browsed around and seen people who've taken 5 honors classes or more before their junior year. But at my school, that simply isn't possible. We only have one honors class (honors English). I never took that, and normally you can't take an AP class until junior year. So my GPA was the same weighted as unweighted until I was a junior. Junior and senior year I took AP classes, but the difference between my weighted and unweighted GPA isn't that great accordingly. </p>
<p>So my question is: will colleges recognize this? I can't really compete with someone who's applying to the same college when their GPA is so inflated with honors and AP classes. I never had the means to inflate my GPA like that. Can colleges see that my high school only offered one honors class?</p>
<p>Colls can know quite a bit, through research, experience and if their regional reps travel to your area. I think most/many hs GCs include a school profile of some sort, with their recc letter. It describes what you’re worried about and more. Maybe ask your GC.</p>
<p>agree with lookingforward. also, if you’re that concerned, you could make a note (there’s us
ually a section on the application for extra info) that you were limited in terms of types of classes you could take.</p>
<p>Lookingforward is right about the school sending a school profile with the transcripts so adcoms have a context for your academic record. I wouldn’t recommend writing anything on your application about being limited in the coursework though, because you don’t want to come off like you’re blaming your school.</p>
<p>You are evaluated in the context of your environment. Colleges are given a school profile by your GC, and they will figure out how you stack up within your school’s opportunities.</p>
<p>The colleges look at your school profile and have specific admissions counselors who are supposed to look into the high school in the areas they are assigned to. The school profile should tell how many honors/ap classes the school offers. You should go to your guidance counselor and ask to see one.</p>