<p>Our local high schools prepare the typical profile sheets that include the grading policy, standardized test averages, Nation Merit finalists, and advanced courses offered at the school. The intent seems to be to emphasize what a great school it is.</p>
<p>One thing our particular school does is list on its profile sheet the full set of AP courses that <em>could</em> be offered, even though many of the courses are not actually taught in any given year because too few students sign up.</p>
<p>Does this help or hurt our students when they apply to distant schools that aren't familiar with the opportunities our kids really have? On the one hand, the school looks more challenging, but on the other a student who takes the few APs that are actually offered will look as if he took a light load and skipped the other APs that are listed (but not really available).</p>
<p>I know this is a minor thing but I'd like to know what you all think.</p>
<p>Well, every school has one of these to provide colleges, and most of them “fluff” them up too to make their school look more attractive.</p>
<p>As to it’s impact, it depends on the college. If it’s a local college or a large school nearby, it won’t matter. That recruiter sees dozens of applications from that school every year and probably knows most, if not all, of the high school counselors in the counties he covers. On the other hand, if it’s a smaller college further away, they make look at it. But now they have all the applications online and can compare your application to anyone else who’s applied from your high school before and can see the AP courses offered.</p>
<p>I really doubt it would make a difference. How many courses are offered? How many have you taken? If they offered more courses, how many more would you have taken?</p>
<p>EDIT:: Upon rereading the OP, I realize this is a parent posting. My apologies, but the gist is still the same. I’d recommend for you to check out the ‘Parents Cafe’, it should offer lots of useful advice on this and many other subjects.</p>