What’s the real deal with high school class levels, and how do they affect college admissions?

Okay, so my school offers different class levels (regular, honors, AP/IB). How much does this actually matter in college apps? I'm trying to balance my GPA with a rigorous schedule that doesn’t completely overwhelm me.

It's great that you're aiming to strike a balance between maintaining a strong GPA and challenging yourself. Colleges do pay attention to the rigor of your classes because they want to see that you're prepared for college-level work. Admissions committees typically like to see students who take the most challenging courses available to them but without overextending themselves to the point of burnout or significantly hurting their GPA.

If your school provides a weighted GPA for honors or AP/IB classes, that can compensate for a slightly lower grade because colleges recognize the added difficulty of these courses. However, your overall wellbeing is also crucial, so you shouldn't take on more than you can handle. A good rule of thumb is to focus on areas related to your interests or intended major. For instance, if you're interested in engineering, prioritize taking advanced classes in math and science. The key is showing that you've pushed yourself in areas that matter for your future goals, while also maintaining a strong academic record overall.