<p>My school has a 45person-ish graduating class...we're pretty much a "new" school--we haven't had many people go to "top" schools--> some, but not an excessive amount (2/3 per year)</p>
<p>most go to the local state school honors program...and 92% of our graduating classes have gone to college--100% in my grade though will go...</p>
<p>what is the best course of action for a person from a relatively unknown school?
-in terms of class rank: does class rank even matter at a small school?</p>
<p>What I think made /all/ the difference in the world for geek_son is that his target ("top LAC") college's admissions counselor for our region actually visited his school. In the process, he met with some faculty and learned about the school, the curriculum, ECs, et cetera. He got to see what the school's students are really like, and he probably heard the administration's philosophical arguments against weighting grades, designating classes as Honors or AP, and stuff like that. He gave a more positive "vibe" at the end of his visit than he had after the interview and in other contacts, so I'm pretty sure this made a difference.</p>
<p>Whoever schedules college visits at your school, you might give them the contact information for your target college and ask them to invite a recruiting presentation from the college.</p>
<p>As to class rank... tough call, really. Being #1 is always good. At a very small school, they might not be willing to rank students at all. Our GC was willing to state geek_son's rank when she found out a large scholarship was riding on it.</p>
<p>OBTW... geek_son's graduating class is less than half the size of yours, and the school typically sends kids to state universities (in-state or out, some with nice scholarships). But he got into his target college.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>shameless bump...help please!</p>
<p>I'm also from an "unknown" school, though it's not public (no one tries for the top colleges; many go to Christian colleges/universities). Can't say I have any advice, but perhaps knowing that another CC-er is in the same situation provides solace...</p>