<p>The colleges are aware of the rigor of the high school. Along with your recommendations, your guidance counselor will send a school profile, a sheet describing the percentage of students going to 4-year colleges, GPA statistics, average SAT scores, and AP courses offered. Plus, in many cases, the college will have experience with your high school based on the performance of past applicants from the school. However, as mruncleramos says, SAT scores are generally regarded in the same way unless there are extenuating circumstances, like race or income level.</p>