<p>I will have taken 7 out of a possible 21 weighted classes at my high school and one college course by the time I graduate from high school. My UW GPA is 3.9 and W GPA is 4.4. Is that considered "rigorous" in the context of my school to UC Berkeley?</p>
<p>That is a subjective measure based on knowledge of the school and patterns for other students. For example, if 20% of students applying to Cal from your HS take 10 or more of the 21 weighted classes, then you would probably be considered NOT to have a rigorous load. If few take that many, then you certainly would be taken seriously. Rigorous is not just a weighted class issue, it has to do with the number of classes taken each semester and the nature of them. Weighted classes are considered more hefty, but a schedule with all complicated academic courses is heftier than one that includes study sessions or lightweight classes. If not an a-g course, not likely to be considered under rigor If an a-g course that is not typically undertaken, because it is in excess of the a-g needs, it is looked on as a sign of rigor.</p>
<p>The admissions office people that will review your appllication are generally covering applications from the same geography or set of schools. They have excellent data from past applications as well - thus the adcom member has a pretty good idea of what the strongest applications from your school took as a workload. If yours is at or below the 50% point of historical quantity/heftiness, they would be unlikely to think of your effort as rigorous.</p>
<p>Finally, if you are selected for the supplemental data process, something done for only a tiny percentage of applications (for a variety of reasons so please use the search process), one portion of that additional data will be a reference. The content of the reference form is not visible to applicants but if it is like most references for college admissions, it will ask the person filling out your one reference to indicate if your workload is rigorous. </p>
<p>Admissions committees use rigor to look for students who will take more advantage of the opportunities and resources of a university, to offer the limited spots to those who will benefit more and hopefully benefit society as a consequence. It is one of the dogmas of admissions, which is why rigor is such a feature of the college admissions landscape.</p>