<p>So my school doesn't have any easy-as-pie courses like public schools do. I can't take woodshop and get an easy A+ in it, for instance like my friends do back in public school. And let's face it: they don't look at the course rigor besides for the core courses, so am I essentially screwed? Are admissions officers going to see public-school kids with their 3.8's in Honors/AP Core but tons of electives as better than me with a 3.5 in Honors/AP but no electives to bring my GPA up?</p>
<p>The only easy A+ in our school is basically band and chorus, but I don't play an instrument. I have a friend who is going to beat me out in GPA this quarter by .05 because he got an A+ in band. It's seriously not fair.</p>
<p>I go to a public high school and throughout I have had the chance to take only two required electives the whole time: fine arts and gym. I think you underestimate public school. However, some schools look at your GPA minus non academic courses because they know they are GPA boosters. So you might want to check your facts and leave public school out of it.</p>
<p>No, you are not “screwed.” Yes, admissions officers know how to sort out differences among students from different schools. </p>
<p>Your worries are misplaced. Relax, and do the best you can in the classes you have.</p>
<p>Ok, thanks for that breather.</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure colleges re-calculate GPA, or if they don’t, they’re going to look at class rigor. APs>Honors+electives any day.</p>