<p>No, they don’t. Presumably they indicate superior performance, but the colleges have no way of knowing if that’s relative to your peers on a curve or a high absolute standard</p>
<p>In most cases, adcoms know the rigor of your school and plenty more, to let them judge your performance. They look at the transcript, not just gpa. (For most hs, adcoms know what constitutes an A+ versus A or A-. This info shows either on the transript or in the school profile the GC sends.) </p>
<p>They will see if your A’s are in challenging classes. Some of this is a no-brainer: the kid who shows A in honors bio or AP chem is going to look far better than the kid whose gpa is padded with A’s in lesser classes. </p>
<p>Adcoms don’t have time to worry whether you got an A or A+ because you’re the teacher’s pet or there was some huge curve. If many kids from your hs apply, yes, they will have an idea of who the strongest candidates are. But, at the close competition you describe, your essays, short answers and ECs will be the make or break. And, LoRs.</p>