Getting in to college with scholarships with no AP, Honors or IB courses

Applying to College
1

I am an international student from Rwanda attending a small private parochial high school in the US. I am currently in the summer between my junior and senior year. Unfortunately, the highschool I attend doesn’t provide AP, IB, or Honors, the only advanced program we have is dual credit ( which I will be doing my senior year). I am/ will be taking the most rigorous programs my school can offer, on top of that my grades are very good. So, how can I show in my application that I have taken the best my school can offer.

2 
      All you can do is rely on your transcript and school profile. You can find a copy of your school's profile. online probably.
3

Your HS counselor will also indicate whether or not you have taken the most rigorous courses your HS offers.

4
  1. Your HS provides a school profile along with each transcript which will indicate what level coursework is available at the school. 2) your guidance counselor will check the box saying you have taken the most rigorous coursework available at your HS in his/her recommendation to colleges. 3) Your course rigor will be measured against what is available at your HS so you will not be penalized in the admission process as long as you took the most rigorous schedule you were offered at your HS.
5

I agree with what everyone said.

To address your specific question, merit scholarships are often based on test scores (ACT,SAT) and GPA, not always on rigor (which is where AP, IB etc count). So you are not automatically at a disadvantage there.

Many “scholarships” - I’m talking now about financial aid offered by the colleges you get into - are based on family income, in whole or in part. Not many schools will meet the full financial need of all students, but many do. They tend to be harder to get into.

Many organizations offer outside scholarships (not from the school, but typically smaller or only for a year) that are based on things like community service, your parents employment, essays you write, whatever.

But the most common and generous scholarships, or financial aid, are from the colleges themselves.