High School Profile Metrics: How Colleges Evaluate Applications in Context

May 29, 2023 | By Daniel Strom

Applying to college is a huge milestone, and understanding what makes a strong application can make all the difference. One key piece of the puzzle is something called the High School Profile, a document that helps admissions officers evaluate your application in the context of your school.

What is the High School Profile?
The High School Profile gives colleges a snapshot of your school's academic environment. It’s kind of like a report card for your high school, showing things like what classes are available, how challenging they are, and what the school community is like.

Here’s what’s typically included:

College Matriculation Rate
This tells colleges what percentage of students from your school attend college. Schools with a high matriculation rate are seen as supportive environments for students heading to college, which can help show admissions officers the type of preparation you’ve had.

Course Rigor and Curriculum
Admissions teams love to see students challenging themselves. They’ll look at how rigorous your course load has been, like how many Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) classes you’ve taken. But they also know that not every school offers the same opportunities. For example, if you go to a school that only offers a couple of AP classes, admissions officers won’t hold that against you. They consider what was available to you, so they can see how you made the most of what you had.

Standardized Test Scores
Even with more schools going test-optional, many still consider SAT or ACT scores when available. What’s important to note is that colleges also look at your scores compared to the rest of your school. For example, if you scored a 27 on the ACT, and that puts you in the top 4% at your school, that says something positive about your performance, even if a 27 might mean something different at another school.

Where to Find Your High School Profile
If you’re curious about your high school profile, you can usually find it on your school’s website. And if you can’t locate it, just ask your guidance counselor—they’ll definitely have it.

Why Does It Matter?
Knowing what’s in your high school profile can help you better understand how admissions officers will view your application. But remember, it’s just one part of your story. Colleges consider many factors in their decisions, and the high school profile is just a way to help them understand your academic journey.

Have any questions or want some guidance? Feel free to reach out—we’d love to help!

About Daniel Strom

Daniel Strom co-founded Elite Scholar Advising, which provides tailored advice to college applicants worldwide. He is a proud graduate of Northwestern University and the Kellogg School of Management, where he also developed admissions experience through his role as an admissions representative. In addition, he also served on the Northwestern Alumni Admissions Interviewing Council. Daniel has helped hundreds of college applicants across the world realize their full potential by gaining admission to their dream schools.