Hey, so I’m on the path to becoming valedictorian next year (knock on wood), with a 4.0 unweighted GPA. I know this might be a dumb question, but will this help me in college admissions? I don’t have a super high ACT score, but I’m happy with what I got. I was wondering if being class rank #1 might potentially show some of these good schools that I am capable of working hard, despite not having a perfect or close to perfect standardized testing score. Thanks!
Yes, it helps. Valedictorian has been somewhat diluted in recent years as some schools give the honor to many people instead of just one, but it still helps. Being ranked #1 in your class, especially if you took rigorous courses, will be noticed.
If your test scores aren’t as good you might consider applying to test optional schools and not sending them your scores.
It depends on the college and local competition. It’s not a hook. On one thread, you mentioned maybe throwing in an Ivy, so look at this https://www.brown.edu/admission/undergraduate/explore/admission-facts
82% of vals apparently got no tip at all for that status. You have to seriously research your target colleges, understand what they look for and whether or not that’s what you offer, whether it shows.
It can sometimes be a tie-breaker, but that depends a lot on various factors, just how good your app really is.
Is there anyway to potentially “show it off” on applications? I don’t mean it in a sense of rubbing it in, but rather put special emphasis on it rather than just saying in small letters “Class Rank: 1”
@Troyus Yes, I have rigorous classes. My weighted GPA is a 5.0. The only regular class I’ve ever taken was Spanish I. All other classes I’ve taken throughout high school so far have been AP, Duel-Credit, and honors.
It’s not the factor you think it is. Many hs don’t even name vals. You’d be making a big deal out of something they can see right on the app. Why not get a sample of the Common App and any supps for your targets and see what kind of full picture they try to get. The holistic schools don’t make final decisions based on rank or stats. And you have to know these schools or you may miss the point in what you do now and how you present it in the app. There are no shortcuts. Your hs may love you for val- or if you were trying to transfer to another hs, they might, but the colleges take a look, then move right past it to see the rest of what you offer.
I mean, unless you are applying to a school that just looks at stats, not the whole story.
Vals don’t get selected until after admissions are done. It means nothing. Being #1 class rank for admissions does help but it’s by no means a hook. There are 37000 HSs in the US and >37K Vals. Doesn’t separate you much, does it?
Ha, thanks for the answers. I won’t mention anything about class rank or valedictorian. 37,000>hundreds of thousands of other students 
I’ll bet there are more than that. Our class had three this year.
And haven’t we read about some that had dozens?
uuuummmmm… Yes. Being the valedictorian DEFINITELY helps… schools love any chance to boast about the accomplishments of their student body
If your ACT is not up to par with the schools you are applying to, your valedictorian status will not get you in the door. But maybe your activities will…
@educateddarcy I’m in a lot of extra curriculars outside of school. Here’s a few: Cross-Country, National Honor Society, Best-Buddies, Key Club, Basketball, Track, Golf, etc. I want to point out that my ACT score isn’t bad. My superscore is a 32. I just meant that it not a “perfect 36” like most students on this site seem to have.
What colleges are you interested in?
That would help^^^^ to know before anyone can give u their opinion. Some top tier superscore, some do not. U may think about taking it again based on the schools you are interested in.