Academics

You may think "academic performance" means "GPA." Obviously, your GPA is important. No doubt.

But colleges look deeper to evaluate your academic performance:

• Have you tackled the most challenging classes your school offers?
• Are you acing those classes that relate to your intended major, if you've declared one?
• Does your transcript show a consistent pattern of success or an upward trend?
• Do you have a strong class rank?
• What is your school's profile? Your B in Trig will mean something different to colleges if they know your school is stingy with A's or full of super geniuses.
• Do sources besides your transcript (your extracurriculars, recommendations, essays, and interview) help show that you don't just earn good grades, but you are talented, intellectually curious, and engaged, too?