Academic rigor vs. grades
There are a few certainties when you attend a college admissions session: one is the use of the word "holistic" about 50 times (I'll address that in another post) by an admissions counselor, and another is a discussion of academic rigor vs. grades. The question comes down to whether it's better to take an Honors level course and get an "A" or take an AP level course and get a "B". Each outcome plays to a particular strength that colleges and universities are looking for in their applicants: namely, GPA and a challenging high school course list. Depending on where you live, an Honors class may equate to 4.5 for an "A", while an AP class could be worth a 5.0 for an "A" and a 4.0 for a "B". For students who might struggle a bit in an AP class, the Honors "A" helps their GPA more than an AP "B", but the AP class looks more prestigious on an applicant’s course listing. What’s usually heard from college admissions staff is, 'take the most challenging classes that you can do well in.' Helpful but still a little vague.
This following scenario recently played out in front of me during a large admissions presentation involving five colleges. One of the parents asked the “Honors level A or AP course B” question and received the standard reply (get good grades in challenging courses). But this parent pushed back, asking again which was better, an A in an Honors course or a B in an AP class. The answer was the same. Undeterred, the parent asked it a third time, looking for specifics for her child who was probably in this very situation. After she asked it, the admissions representative was silent. Then, after a deep breath and with a slight smile, the answer came: "We want the 'A' in the AP Class". At least he was honest.
What does this mean for parents? It means top schools want students who get the best grades in the toughest classes. Top 40 colleges (use any national ranking you choose) have a large pool of applicants and a low acceptance rate. Also, universities won’t tell you exactly what to do. It’s up to the student and parents to choose the best high school courses, those that will challenge the student and let he/she get the best possible grades. But remember, what they want is an A in the AP class.