<p>In addition to the raw stats, stats in context matter. A 3.9+ at Lake Wobegone HS (where everyone, by definition, is above average) is probably not as impressive to adcoms as a 3.6+ at TJ (Thomas Jefferson, #1 public according to USNews), or even some of the NE private high schools. A Val from a high school class of <30 is just not the same as a Val in a high school class of 500 (according to Michelle Hernandez).</p>