<p>Freshman Kid is enrolled in an online high school (We live too far from school) and has a 4.0; school is easy. Kid could switch to a more challenging online school and perhaps lose in GPA. Which is better for college admissions? Kid will take AP classes this summer and next school year. Kid took ACT–Composite score=31</p>
<p>In general, its always better to have a higher GPA.</p>
<p>In general, it’s always better to strive for the most rigorous preparation.</p>
<p>Where is your kid considering going to college?</p>
<p>If you’re looking at public universities, admissions is going to be primarily numbers-driven, so the higher GPA helps. If you’re going to be looking at private schools that consider the GPA in the context of the school, you’ll want to look at the track record of each online school. Ask if they have a list of where last year’s graduates matriculated. </p>
<p>Harder classes now may mean a lower high school GPA, but they’ll be better preparation for college classes. A high school freshman already getting a 31 on the ACT and looking at taking APs over the summer might want to aim high for college. I vote for taking on more challenge, and having him rise to the occasion. That’s something that looks great on a college application.</p>
<p>Thanks for the fast reply. More rigor and aiming for a “better” college seems the best course.</p>
<p>Plus, your 31 ACT kid is clearly bright and you don’t want him/her to be bored nor unduly surprised if he/she gets into an above average college with rigorous demands. Go for the harder HS, definitely.</p>
<p>I don’t think colleges are going to split hairs over GPA, i.e. regard someone w a 3.9 as superior to someone w a 3.75.</p>
<p>A more rigorous program that does not result in a significant drop in the gpa. Most colleges focus on grades in college prep courses (ie AP courses) and strength of curriculum as the two top things that are considered.</p>
<p>Take the harder school always. I am a freshman in college and my public high school was really competitive and rigorous that it makes college seem easy. There are sooo many people here that are doing poorly because there high schools just didn’t prepare them for college material eventhough they did well in high school.</p>
<p>Maybe I’m too old school. I think students are supposed to learn in HS. You learn more in a more rigorous setting.</p>