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Duke University
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UCLA
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Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Is it better to take a rigorous course load or have a higher GPA?

Hey guys, I'm a junior and I'm trying to decide whether to take a more rigorous course load or focus on maintaining a high GPA. Which do colleges value more? I'm a bit stressed about making the right choice. Thank you for any advice!

a year ago

It's understandable that you're feeling stressed about making the right choice. The truth is, colleges value both a rigorous course load and a high GPA. They want to see that you're challenging yourself academically and performing well in those challenging classes. That being said, it's important to strike a balance between the two. Overloading on rigorous courses may negatively impact your GPA if you're unable to manage the workload effectively. On the other hand, taking an easier course load just to boost your GPA may not be as impressive to colleges. My advice would be to choose a course load that challenges you, but is also manageable. You should aim to maintain a high GPA while still taking some rigorous courses, such as AP or honors classes. Ultimately, colleges look at the whole picture, which includes your course load, GPA, extracurricular activities, and more. Good luck with your decision!

a year ago

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