<p>So today I received my first class rank as a Sophomore. I rank 44 out of a class of 869, so I am right on the line of top 5%. I'm curious what colleges want as far as class rank goes. Do they look for just top 10% or do they want to see even higher? Fyi, I've been climbing grade-wise since freshman year so there is improvement. I'm looking to go to UVA or Georgetown. Thanks for your help.</p>
<p>Are you in-state for UVA? Extremely selective schools like to see the highest placement possible (many Vals/Sals at the Ivies).</p>
<p>Top 5% will get you into most schools with competitive scores. At the top 20 or so there is an ever larger number of vals and sals every year–about half the class at the very top, over 40% at mid level ivies. When you back out athletes, URMs, legacies and kids from top preps, it’s most of the class.</p>
<p>If your school isn’t particularly competitive, you should be in the top 1-2%. The 10% rule I’ve found anecdotally to be more applicable to applicants from small/difficult schools.</p>