<p>The current top 5 high schools have significantly higher course rigors than regular high schools. Will Duke Admissions take this into consideration when comparing students from different schools? Because I feel like if not this would put the students at the harder high schools at a disadvantage GPA wise. Thanks!</p>
<p>Yes, Duke Undergraduate Admissions has a long-developed internal tool that addresses this precise situation. However, please understand:
a. Duke’s assessment of “top x” is its own and may not agree fully with any other evaluation;
b. Doing very well (GPA plus recommendations/essays) AND taking the most demanding courses remains absolutely critical; and
c. Outstanding students who attend secondary schools that do not offer IB/AP and/or are not especially demanding must also be fairly appraised, which means that attending a top secondary school (while significant) does not – and should not – guarantee admission.</p>
<p>Check Naviance to gauge how Duke evaluates GPA’s in the context of your school.</p>