Here’s one example of a typical high school profile. If you can’t find your high school’s profile on your school counseling website, you can ask your school counselor for access to it. 

Based on the school’s profile, college admissions counselors will evaluate a student compared to the information in the profile. For example, they will compare the classes a student took from the ones that are offered to figure out if, when that student had access to an honors or AP class, they chose to take it. And if they did, what grade they achieved. 

So students don’t need to worry if they go to a school that doesn’t have as many honors or AP course offerings as another school in their city or town. Colleges won’t penalize a student in the admissions process for not having access to advanced courses. Rather, they will look at students in the context of their high school’s environment and what they’re doing to make it better. 

What can students do to stand out in the admissions process?

1. Consider taking honors or AP courses in subjects where they feel confident they can achieve an A or a high B. If a student’s high school doesn’t have many AP courses, students might choose to take some dual credit courses from the local community college in areas of strength. This demonstrates intellectual curiosity and shows colleges that the student chose to go above and beyond their high school curriculum.

2. Get involved in extracurricular activities that they enjoy, and develop their leadership skills as they take more initiative and demonstrate impact in their community.  Our Guide to Engagement in High School is a great resource to help students capitalize on activities that align with their interests and goals. If a student’s high school doesn’t offer many extracurricular opportunities a student is interested in, they can start their own club or look outside the school.