Balancing Grades and Rigor: What Matters in College Admissions?

A common question among students and parents is whether it’s better to earn a lower grade in an advanced course or a higher grade in a regular course, particularly in the context of college admissions. As a tutoring company, we often discuss this topic with families. Opinions vary, and we outline the considerations in this blog.

What College Admissions Officers Consider:

Rigor of Curriculum: College admissions officers tend to value the rigor of a student’s coursework.  Taking more challenging courses, such as Advanced Placement (AP) or honors can demonstrate a student’s willingness to push themselves academically.  A lower grade in an advanced class may still show academic curiosity, resilience, and readiness for college-level work.  However, rigor alone isn’t the deciding factor.  A consistent pattern of poor grades in advanced classes might signal that the student is not fully prepared for the challenge, while an occasional lower grade can still be balanced by other achievements.

Balance of Rigor and Performance:

Many admissions experts suggest striking a balance.  Ideally, students should challenge themselves with advanced courses while also maintaining reasonably strong performance (typically aiming for a B or higher).  Earning a C in an advanced course might raise concerns about a student’s preparedness for college-level coursework, especially if it’s a consistent pattern across multiple subjects.

GPA and Class Rank:

A higher grade in an on-level course may positively impact a student’s GPA, which remains a key factor in admissions decisions.  Some schools use weighted GPAs, where higher level courses are given extra points.  Class rank is also influenced by both the rigor of courses and grades.  Colleges may consider class rank to determine how a student compares to peers in their high school environment.

Holistic Admissions:

Many colleges evaluate the entire student profile beyond just grades and test scores.  In this context, admissions officers look at the student’s extracurricular activities, personal essays, recommendations, and overall academic trajectory.  A student who shows improvement, resilience, or passion for a subject in spite of a lower grade may still stand out in other areas.

Course Selection Context:

Colleges consider the context of a student’s academic choices: Did the student choose advanced courses in subjects where there is evidence of a passionate interest or simply ones in which they excel?  Earning a C in a difficult course related to a student’s intended major might be weighed differently than a C in an unrelated subject. A mix of advanced and regular courses, where the student maintains strong performance, might prove a safer option than taking on too many advanced courses and struggling across the board.