<p>I've applied RD (regretting not doing it early and am now a nervous wreck), and am considerably worried about my transcript because I've only tested on one AP (Language Comp - 5) and am currently enrolled in only one (AP Cal). (My school has a grand total of four offered and due to a dual enrollment program, I am not eligible for two of them.)</p>
<p>So, do they ask counselors for school profiles or do they consider them if the counselor provides them? (mine said she did)</p>
<p>My scores are stable I think - 34 ACT and 2190 SAT (wouldn't have included it but it's on my transcript) and I've got loads of community service and leadership experience. I just wonder if my lack of a rigorous curriculum could sink the boat for me.</p>
<p>Any thoughts?</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure counselors are supposed to send the school profiles. They’re definitely extremely important because the GPA and courseload is a really important indicator of how you’ve done. If you explain the situation about the limited amount of AP courses at your school, I’m sure Duke would understand. Plus your ACT is great!</p>
<p>Thanks wangatang! 
I tried to work it into my supplement without making it seem like an excuse because I know whining about it won’t get me any sympathy. I really don’t have any complaints about my school, it’s not inner city or disadvantaged, I just wish I could have taken more APs.</p>
<p>Yeah no problem. The Additional Information part of the common app would’ve been a good place to fully explain it though. Since everything is said and done, I’d just relax and let Duke worry about their 27,000 apps haha</p>
<p>How would colleges know if a high school even offers AP classes and how many? Our school doesn’t offer AP classes at all.</p>
<p>That’s what is on the school profile Mustang…</p>
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<p>Most high schools make it a point to try and show off the number of APs they have and the performance they’ve achieved on those APs. Unless a school is some uber-elite institution where APs are regarded as a joke that doesn’t warrant a mention on its profile, it’s often understood that if a school offers APs, they will appear on the profile. </p>
<p>Anyway, with regards to curricular rigor, your adcoms cannot hold you responsible for what your school does not have APs and such but an incompetent school cannot be your excuse if you hope to get into a school like Duke. You would ideally need to demonstrate that you’ve found other ways to explore academically challenging material (research, local college classes, blah blah blah).</p>
<p>Most adcoms make this clear - they want rigor in the context of your school. They will read your school profile and maybe some explanations (like one kid couldn’t take IB Econ b/c of scheduling but wanted to go into business - just explained it on his app and still got into Wharton ED). But yes, the number of AP classes offered should be clearly indicated.</p>
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<p>This is only partially true. While adcoms will be understanding of limitations in terms of opportunities that are beyond your control, it is also unreasonable for Penn (or any other school) to compensate for the deficiencies of your HS; they’d be willing to do that only if you’ve demonstrated that you have exhausted every academic avenue available to do. My school offers no ‘AP classes’ for example but each one of our graduates leaves with six or seven APs (which we prepare for in the two or three weeks of late April). Likewise, research opportunities, internships and college classes should be pursued where available.</p>