Improvement trends - GPA vs course rigor

I see it said a lot that colleges look for grades staying the same or improving throughout high school. In my sophomore year, I took four honors classes, but junior year I will be taking two AP classes and one honors. This will bring my weighted GPA down just because there are fewer advanced classes, but my school considers AP classes to be a step above honors. It also doesn’t allow sophomores to take AP classes in anything but foreign language, generally.

Will the fact that my GPA will go down slightly appear negative? I’m a bit worried because junior year is supposed to be really important.

Not to worry, colleges usually don’t care about your weighted GPA, just your unweighted GPA. Also, as long as you are taking the most rigorous courses your school allows (and you clearly are) then colleges will be satisfied.

That’s really reassuring to know. Thanks so much!