<p>I am in a bit of a predicament. I have been ranked first since freshman year. I just found out that, as of right now, I am ranked second. AAAHHH! </p>
<p>The person I'm competing against got a B in a class changed to an A after report cards came out last semester. She received a B her freshman year, and I have had a perfect academic record thus far. The only thing holding me back from being first right now is the fact that I took Leadership while my competitor took an academic lab. Leadership counts for a credit while academic labs don't, so my GPA was divided by 8 and hers was divided by 7.<br>
I'm considering making an appeal. I signed up to take an academic lab, but, since I was elected vice president of the student body, I was put in Leadership. What's interesting, though, is that the two separate classes actually took place in the same room! While I was planning student council activities, my competitor was preparing for the class she got a B in!</p>
<p>I've calculated that I'll be ranked first again by first semester of my senior year, so I'll be able to apply regular decision with my valedictorian status intact. </p>
<p>Yale is one of the schools I'm strongly considering, though, and I'd probably have a better chance if I applied Single-Choice Early Action. </p>
<p>Do you recommend that I make an appeal and possibly ruffle some feathers of potential recommendation-writers, wait until regular decision time, or apply early regardless of my drop in rank?</p>
<p>Honestly, I don’t think the difference between being #1 and #2 is that big of a deal. I wouldn’t make a stink about it because it’s going to make you seem slightly immature and to be a “grade-grubber” or whatever you would like to call it. I would work hard this coming year to try to rise to #1 again, but don’t let it get to you. Also, ask your counselor to mention that you were the val for most of high school in his/her rec.</p>
<p>^^You took the words right out of my mouth, Begoner. The OP did this to herself…you can’t have it both ways. Besides, there’s not much difference between #1 and #2. I wouldn’t make a big deal about the situation; you will make yourself out to be a psycho grade-grabber who can’t cope without being #1…and if you aren’t you’ll slit your wrists or something…</p>
<p>Sorry, but your absurd question makes you seem immature and kind of whiny like a baby…just get over it. College admissions is like a competition and your competitor got the upper-hand, but I really don’t think your chances will be taken away because you’re #2.</p>
<p>Don’t appeal it. Honestly, nobody is going to care if you are ranked first or second (or even <em>gasp</em> third), and you’re just going to annoy a lot of people if you start making a huge problem out of it. Maybe you guidance counsellor can address it, but it’s really not a big deal. Apply early if you want, don’t let your rank determine that.</p>
<p>Thanks to those who have responded with constructive advice. I will certainly not make a big fuss over it, though I will speak to my guidance counselor about the issue.</p>
<p>Just to clarify:
I didn’t sign up for the class.<br>
On my transcript, it says “Leadership/Academic Lab”.<br>
I was told this wouldn’t affect my GPA whatsoever.<br>
There were only two of us in the room who were taking “Leadership/Academic Lab” - all the rest had “Academic Lab” printed on their transcript.<br>
I planned for student council while my opponent sat at the desk next to me and studied for her next class (which, technically, she received a B in). </p>
<p>I am under the impression my inquiry is valid, or else I wouldn’t have posted it. I greatly appreciate any advice you have.</p>
<p>Don’t let anyone tell you not to stand up for yourself - just because it’s a small difference between 1 and 2 doesn’t make it alright for this kind of injustice to occur. You should at the very least talk to your guidance counselor about the situation, and ask him/her to reconsider the rankings given the situation at hand. I think you have a very valid complaint, and I would suggest you try and get things changed.</p>
<p>Oh for goodness sake. It’s this kind of behavior that gives CC and high achieving students in general a bad name. It’s one rank. It’s not even your grade. Making a fuss will likely only annoy people. Even if you think you can keep it quiet, I expect in such a small school word will get around quickly, at least among teachers, and that may make your recommendations far more hesitant. Besides, you’ll be sending a mid-year report no matter what anyway.</p>
<p>I think you should appeal, not for admissions (because that won’t change your admission decision) but out of principle. If you honestly feel that you deserve rank 1 then you should appeal. Just remember to be polite and explain your reasons to whoever is in charge very clearly. Don’t let someone tell you not to stick up for yourself, or say that you’re being immature or whiny because you are.</p>
<p>If I were a college admissions counselor and heard this about you… I would bonk you on the head. Okay, I wouldn’t, but what you’re considering doesn’t sound very mature or graceful to me.</p>