I go to a top public school that is so difficult that it has been published for how intense it is. So, if I have a “lower” GPA, would colleges realize this could be because I go to an area that it is hard to do really well in? I do believe I pushed myself, and I have 4s/5s on APs and high SATs. I just find it frustrating when I see people in other districts that get As but 1s on the AP Tests which seems to shows they get free As 
How is your GPA compared to top students in your school? Your guidance counselor will send a school report to your colleges. Does your school send students on a regular/semiregular basis to top schools? Colleges will compare you against other applicants from your school.
What is a lower GPA? 3.75 or 3.3? I know two students admitted to top schools that were in 3.7-3.8 range from a top public school. Same students were also rejected at other top schools to which they applied. Top schools are a reach for everyone.
@Sportsman88 My weighted is higher than the “average” from my school, but it’s little hard to tell about UW since we don’t have rank. My school sends at least 20 students to ivies every year. My gpa is around a 3.2 UW.
Not sure higher than average is enough. All depends on what schools you are talking about. You need to be top 10% to be competitive at top 20 universities. It doesn’t matter if your school ranks (D’s didn’t either). If you are one of ten students applying to a university and the top 3 have a 3.7+, your 3.2 will stand out. Sorry to deliver bad news. Do you have an ACT/SAT score yet?
@Sportsman88 that’s okay! I was just curious, I’m not really looking at top 20 universities. My ACT score is 32 and my SAT is a 1420/1600. I’m Student Council President and President of a couple of other clubs which is part of the reason for the low GPA. Thanks for the quick reply!
Our experience was that the AOS know the schools. At our school, kids with a 3.3 and bang smack in the middle of the pack got into top 10-25 schools. Not necessarily HYPS but certainly the tier right below. If your school has Naviance, you can get data that’s more relevant to your situation.
Obviously the adcom would have information from your school and also other students from your school. Unless you are the first applicant from a HS overseas.
Thank you all! I looked at my Naviance and a couple of people with lower stats than me have been accepted to the schools I’m applying to- so there is at least some chance. Thank you all again!!