<p>A university sees the application as a whole. Grades, recos, ECs, essay (most importantly): it all comes together. A good application is one that is consistent: good grades supported by good recos supported by good ECs supported by good essays.</p>
<p>thus, the fact that your bf got top 5% or top 10% rather top 1% is irrelevant. The fact is that these credentials are being tossed about by teachers like confetti (this is broad generalisation but PLEASE do not attack me. Its true.). Uni admissions people wont give that those little tickboxes the attention that will make or break your application. Only grades, essays and your written recos might do that.</p>
<p>On a lighter note, a friend of mine went and questioned a teacher rather aggresively about a reco he got. The teacher smiled, took the reco back, and tore it into half. He then suggested him to look for a new teacher to write one.</p>