To get a good academic record, take challenging classes in high school.
This shows that you are a motivated and curious student looking to excel academically. If a student earns a 4.0 GPA by only taking the easiest classes and electives, admissions counselors will see that on the application. On the other hand, a student who is constantly challenging him or herself might graduate with a 3.8 GPA, but still have a stronger academic record overall.
Take advantage if your high school offers Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) or honors classes. These classes would not only look great on your college application, but they are essentially college-level classes. Students in these classes are better prepared for the quality and quantity of work expected in college, especially when it comes to writing.
AP and IB classes can often be transferred as college credit. That is of huge benefit. If you score a 4 or a 5 on your AP national exams, those classes will count towards your college requirements.
Some high schools don’t offer AP or IB classes, but most have honors and advanced classes of some type. If this is the case, take advantage of whatever your school has to offer. Admissions counselors will see that you pushed yourself to succeed, even with limited resources.