<p>So I go to a very advanced magnet/boarding school that specializes in Math and Science. We have extreme grade deflation. Basically everyone was a straight A student at their regular school but we have people fail out because the school is so difficult. We have plenty of classes that are ranked "Above AP." We all are required to participate in College level scientific research between our junior and senior years. However, colleges don't recognize the level of our school. Part of the problem is the grade deflation. A B average is harder to maintain here than an A at regular schools. Also, most colleges don't realize the level of our research. Also, we don't offer as many AP classes as other schools because our classes are, for the most part, more advanced than AP classes. Is there anything I can do about this?</p>
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<p>Wait, how is that under-recognized? Given that your HS sends a profile to the colleges you’re interested in and a college looks at you in the context of your school, being ‘under-recognized’ is just about impossible.</p>
<p>Jeez, you made me all excited for a moment into thinking you were some inner-city kid, but instead you’re basically in a fancy prep school. Don’t sweat it.</p>
<p>Colleges will understand the rigor. Every college take that into consideration.</p>
<p>Yeah, I thought you went to like a rural school like me with little to offer. You’re lucky, stop complaining.</p>
<p>For some schools it is a big advantage. We have 100% acceptance rates at many top 100 universities. However, the problem is that when it comes down to top schools, there is a negligible advantage in acceptance rates.</p>
<p>Well, you’re never going to have a high acceptance rate at a top school, they’re super hard to get into for anyone. I wouldn’t consider your high school under-recognized either, just grade-deflated.</p>
<p>Doesn’t sound under-recognized at all. If you have 100% acceptance rate at several top 100 schools, then they know what your school is all about.</p>
<p>The only way you might be “hurt” is if a school only awards merit aid based on strict guideline for both test scores AND unweighted GPA, but not that many do so. Even qualification for National Merit Finalist status relies on the school indicating whether your grades reflect your scores - not a strict GPA cutoff.</p>