It IS a factor and unfortunately parents need to know too much data before kids even get to Junior year in high school. Parents who know BS kid is likely to go to a state honors program need a different plan than parents who plan to send their kid to a small liberal arts school. Many BS parents don’t need FA. So that means that the school can deflate grades more easily than a local public where parents would be screaming. This used to work for BS, since AO’s knew the schools. But it is likely more of a math formula these days and some can get the short end.