College statements on the importance of grades and coursework
Stanford University
The primary criterion for admission to Stanford is academic excellence. We look for your preparation and potential to succeed. We expect you to challenge yourself throughout high school and to do very well. The most important credential that enables us to evaluate your academic record is the high school transcript. — Stanford University admissions department
We expect freshman applicants have engaged in a rigorous curriculum and chosen from among the most demanding courses available in secondary school. It is not necessary to have loaded your schedule with every advanced course offered; but if such courses are available to you, we expect you have taken advantage of many of them. Our most competitive freshman applicants often have four years (grades 9-12) of English, four years of math (including calculus), four years of social studies, four years of science (including biology, chemistry and physics) and four years of a foreign language. — Stanford University admissions department
Yale University
Yale is above all an academic institution. This means academic strength is our first consideration in evaluating any candidate. The single most important document in your application is your high school transcript, which tells us a great deal about your academic drive and performance over time. We look for students who have consistently taken a broad range of challenging courses in high school and done well. — Yale University admissions department
University of Chicago
When we read applications, our first concern is whether a student has prepared himself or herself to do the work in the College. University of Chicago admissions department.
University of Pennsylvania
Secondary School Record and Transcript — The most important factors in your application: how much you’ve challenged yourself, and how well you’ve done. — University of Pennsylvania admissions department
Northwestern University
Regardless of the college or university to which you apply, you want to do everything you can to prepare yourself for the rigors of a college curriculum. The best way to prepare is to take the most challenging schedule possible for your ability level while in high school. — Northwestern University admissions department
Williams College
Applicants to Williams should pursue the strongest program of study offered by their secondary schools. [...] Academic record is the most important factor in the admission process. Williams College admissions department