Grading Scale and Rigor: How Colleges Assess High School Curriculum and GPA in Admissions?

Colleges and universities are aware that students from different high schools may have different levels of academic preparation, and that a student’s grade point average (GPA) may not always be an accurate reflection of their academic ability. To account for this, colleges will often take into consideration the context of a student’s high school, such as the rigor of the curriculum, when evaluating their application.

There are several ways that colleges determine the rigor of a student’s high school curriculum:

1. High school profile: Many high schools provide colleges with a profile of their curriculum, including information about the types of courses offered, the level of rigor, and the grading scale. This information can help colleges to better understand the academic expectations and challenges at a particular high school.
2. College Board’s School Report: When students take the College Board’s standardized tests (SAT, AP, PSAT), the high school will receive a report, The School Report, which includes information about the student’s GPA, class rank, the number of students in their graduating class, the percentage of students taking the AP test and more. This report can give colleges an idea of the rigor of a student’s high school curriculum.
3. College Admissions Officer’s Assessment: Admissions officers will review a student’s application and transcript, and may make judgments about the rigor of a student’s high school curriculum based on the type and number of courses taken, the grades earned, and the school’s reputation.
4. Counselor’s Recommendation: High school counselors often provide colleges with letters of recommendation for their students, which can include information about the rigor of the school’s curriculum, student’s academic achievements, and the counselor’s perception of the student’s potential in college.

Keep in mind that while a college may take the rigor of a student’s high school curriculum into consideration when evaluating their application, it is still just one factor among many that will be considered. College admissions officers also take into account a student’s standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, essays, and other factors when making their decision.