<p>Seriously now, do colleges prefer to see stellar GPAs from any school or are moderate GPAs from harder schools with more demanding curricula truly valued? They say they consider strength of a school’s curriculum and rigor of course load but in the final push, it seems to be about grades and GPA. Our kids attend very rigorous private school and grades are not as strong as they would be in the local public school. We wonder if we are doing them a disservice. They are certainly getting a stronger education but if it weakens their application, does it really make sense?</p>
<p>Admissions officers are well informed and more than likely familiar with your schools profile.</p>
<p>Your children will be evaluated in the context of their environment.</p>
<p>It can be a disadvantage to attend an elite private. First, everyone took a test and would be top at most local public schools. Second, there are typically a lot of legacies and the connected whose kids are hooked at top colleges. At many there are also many recruited athletes and lots of top URM candidates also competing for the spots.</p>
<p>Then there are the positives–great education, opportunities not available to most, teachers/counselors who know what colleges want…</p>