<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I see that the precandidate questionnaire requires class rank or a close estimate. I am very afraid of this as my school does not rank b/c of its competitive nature. My school was ranked in the top 10 in a recent Wall Street Journal report and I'm afraid my rank would be low compared to many other student in public schools around the city if I were to estimate. How is the quality of the school compensated for? Please help!</p>
<p>Be afraid. Be very afraid.... ;)</p>
<p>Class rank is a big deal, but there is compensation other places in the process for the rigor of the program. If it were I, I'd mail in the pre-candidate questionnaire rather than submitting it online. That would give you an opportunity to staple a copy of the article to the questionnaire while explaining that your school doesn't rank. I'd also staple a copy of my school's college profile (available at your GC office) which no doubt will talk to how competitive the school is. </p>
<p>They'll still try to estimate your rank based on your GPA.</p>
<p>Thanks, that's a good idea.</p>
<p>Hello,
I don't think class rank is a very big deal. I was ranked barely in the top 40%. I had lots of leadership positions and sports to make up for it though.</p>
<p>Even better, thanks.</p>
<p>Class rank is yet another way to measure your competitiveness--there is a reason the academies (and most schools) rank their cadets. It's seems strange (to me at least) that a school would use it's "competitiveness" as a reason NOT to rank it's students--even the top tier universities (including the academies) rank their students and they certainly have amongst the most "competitive" student bodies in the country! In the end, no matter where you go and what you do you will be judged against your peers. I feel that High Schools that do not rank actually put their best students at a disadvantage--especially if a 4.0 is "commonplace" in that particular school. At the very least, it makes the perception of grade inflation even more of an issue.</p>
<p>Tyler,
I believe that you are not from a really competitive state like Texas, NY, CA, MD and VA. The more competitive the state, the more critical each component in making the whole person score.</p>
<p>If you are the only applicant, or only one of three, for a particular MOC, a lower whole person score, as long as the candidate is triple qualified, can still get you an appointment. That same whole person score from a more competitive state might not even get you a second look. It's not fair, but it fulfills the demographic diversity requirements. Class rank CAN be a big deal if the competition is stringent.
CM</p>
<p>Thanks for the response,</p>
<p>Unfortunately I am from NY.</p>
<p>Btw, What is MOC?</p>
<p>drop65: Although class rank is important, my understanding is that your scores on the SAT/ACT are more important since these exam scores give the academy a relatively "even field" on which to compare the scholastic aptitudes of the applicants. If you have scored well on these exams and also have good grades, I think your class ranking would be less of an issue.</p>
<p>MOC means "member of congress".</p>
<p>candidatemom: I certainly don't think I was the only applicant, or one of three for any of my MOC.</p>
<p>I was in the same situation, my high school was ranked top 50 public high school in the US, although I was a very competative student, my class rank did not reflect it. I chose to omit my class rank from my transcript.</p>
<p>HOWEVER </p>
<p>during my Liason officer interview the Officer specifically asked me "we are missing your class rank, what it is?" </p>
<p>I told him the reason why I omitted it was due to the fact that my school was very competative, and it did not reflect my academic performance, however he gave me this piece of advise and I guess concern </p>
<p>"it's better to be a big fish in a small pond, rather than a small fish in a big pond" </p>
<p>So for all of you guys who are from competative hs, the only peice of reassurance i can give you is that, the SAT/ACT scores are what the academies mainly look at becase, as previously stated, it's the only way the academy can evaluate people on a nation-wide scale, and your academics is only 60% of your admissions score so keep up with your activities.</p>
<p>Tyler:
My point was that in competitive states, there are hundreds of candidates vying for each appointment. Class rank in only one criteria, but look at the class of '08 profile. 81% of the plebes were from the top 20% of their class. </p>
<p>I am happy that you received your appointment, but it would give false hope to candidates from very competitive states to think that top 40% was good enough for their situation. It might be, given other offsetting qualities, but I think it far more likely that they would be sent to NAPS or Foundation. I also agree with others who have stated that SAT/ACT are critical because it puts every one on a level playing field for evaluation.</p>
<p>Good Luck in your quest.
CM</p>
<p>I am a member of the class of 2008. Class rank is a big deal at West Point, but its not the only criteria by any means. USMA looks for the total package. They want leadership, athletic qualities, Extra ciriculars, and much more. Also I think they rank the schools, so a lower class rank at a better school is still okay.</p>