However, wouldn’t any “defect” in academic record, including indication that the student chose less than the “most demanding” courses, significantly reduce the chance of admission to Stanford and similarly-selective schools? Stanford should have plenty of applicants who have top end academic credentials (including “most demanding” rating by the counselor) as well as top end subjective factors (essays, extracurriculars, recommendations, …) that any “defect” like not having the “most demanding” rating could be detrimental when competing against them.