Class Rank Situation

Applying to College
1

<p>I attend a small, uncompetitive public school in a very rural part of the country, where I've taken what is probably one of the most difficult course loads ever. Due to the nature of our school, however, my class rank has suffered considerably. The situation:</p>

<p>At the start of my junior year, I was the salutatorian of my class (about 120 students.) Since I independent studied geometry the summer before my freshman year, I have been one math step ahead of my class every year. (Our "smart" track is geo, Algebra 2, Adv. Math, AP Calc.) Taking AP Calculus my Junior year (basically unheard of) affected my schedule, since usually only one sitting of high-level classes is offered, and essentially I was forced to skip a year of french class and join a morning class before school that normally is the highest level of French in my school. Long story short: My junior year schedule was by far the most difficult in my school... no one else was really close, and my GPA and Class Rank both suffered.
When I got my transcript this year, I was shocked to find that I'm now 8th in my class (which with attrition has declined to 108.) Three of the seven people ahead of me will not even take AP Calculus in their high school careers, and none of them have taken a course load like mine. As an example, our current sal is taking during her senior year the math class I took my sophomore year, and will finish with 0 AP classes whereas I will have taken 6. Our high school does not weight grades and delivers rank numerically... and while I'm sure my GC will check off the "most rigorous schedule" box, I think its safe to say that most colleges would assume that most if not all of the people ahead of me took a similar schedule, and that's not the case. Please don't think I'm bitter about this... the people ahead of me are taking easier classes because they won't need the harder ones, not because they're trying to one up each other (and me). I'm at peace with my class rank and GPA (96.86) because I know how hard I worked for them (last year was not fun at all.) But, at the same time, I don't want colleges to think I'm a slacker based on that number. So, my question is: how should I let colleges know that my class rank doesn't fully reflect the reality of the situation?</p>

2

<p>Your GC can let them know in his/her statement. Additionally, the colleges will see what courses you’ve taken, and your school’s profile will indicatethat this is not the norm. They will not think you’re a slacker. Rank is not definitive (particularly since so many high schools don’t rank at all).</p>

3

<p>Your GC will have the opportunity to answer the following question: “In comparison to other college preparatory students at your school, the applicant’s course selection is: most demanding, very demanding, demanding, average, below average”.</p>

<p>He/she is also report that the rank and GPA are “unweighted”.</p>

<p>He/she will rate your “academic achievement” as below average, average, good, very good, excellent, outstanding, or one of the top few I have encountered.</p>

<p>These along with their statement are ways that they can convey what you have achieved academically.</p>

4

<p>“I attend a small, uncompetitive public school in a very rural part of the country, where I’ve taken what is probably one of the most difficult course loads ever.” </p>

<p>Challenging yourself within this environment will be noticed and will help you. Don’t stress about rank (but try to graduate within the top 10%).</p>