<p>Picture this: You go to a relatively small, prestigious high school where everyone knows everyone else's business and you happen to know with absolute certainty that you possess your class's highest GPA, both weighted and unweighted. You are ranked number one EXCEPT ... your school does not rank! </p>
<p>Now, everytime you look at an application that asks for class rank, you die a little inside because you want to write "1st" but you know that the official school line is, "we don't rank." Here is one of your proudest achievements and most marketable attributes and yet you cannot say it out loud. </p>
<p>Or can you?</p>
<p>What should a person do?</p>
<p>I would let my teachers mention that, because otherwise it would sound like you are boasting about yourself. I do not think you should worry about it because many schools do not rank.</p>
<p>^^ good advice. It's also possible that you could ask your counselor to put it on there (I know some have).</p>
<p>Definitely don't put it if your school doesn't officially rank. It would probably be much better received if a teacher or gc writes about it for you. In that case it's them advocating for you, instead of you boasting about yourself with information that isn't "official" at your school.</p>
<p>My school doesnt rank, but they do list the valedictorian and saludictorian. Pretty sure that is the common practice. If you work to be #1 (or 2) you get the recognition. You just can't be top 1%, big difference.</p>
<p>Our high school doesn't "rank" but they do keep track of rank in case it is needed for a scholarship or other award. They will also release if you were deferred early action and you specifically request this course of action. I'll bet your school follows a similar practice and if you talk to your Guidance Counselor you can get them to indicate your high standing in their referral; if not apply for something that requires a top rank and they will have to release your standing. </p>
<p>At our school, it looks to me as if this "not ranking" practice has helped the lower part of the top 10% of the class greatly in terms of admission to schools but actually hurt the top 5 - 10 students in the class. The decision was made to decrease stress on the students. </p>
<p>Good luck to you - where ever you land it sounds as if you have developed the skills necessary to be a success!</p>
<p>Well, if you're using the CommonApp, they ask for the highest GPA in the class. If they see that that matches your GPA, won't they assume you're first in the class?</p>
<p>Really? I never knew they asked for that. You sure 'bout that? 'Cause if that's true, I would say "Problem solved."</p>
<p>Yeah, I'm certain. I turned in my midyear reports today and it's exactly the same as the secondary school report on the CommonApp. I applied to Columbia and it asked the same thing. Check the forms if you don't believe me. On the CommonApp it's right under the part where it asks your counselor's name, school's name, etc.</p>