<p>are you serious though that you are #2 in your freshman year? you should be thrilled because you have set the top standards for yourself. now you just need to live up to those standards for the next 4 years. who knows...maybe you will be number one by senior year, maybe you will be three. but who gives? a rank that high is not going to make or break you. relax and cut the crap.</p>
<p>Why do you need IB if you have AP? I know a lot of people take classes just to boost their GPA and rank, but really, you're getting a lot of sarcasm and jokes because you're only a freshman, and at number 2 and making a fuss about not being #1. So whatever you've done so far, just keep it up and work harder. If you really are a committed student you'll make top ranks in your senior year because you will naturally want to take challenging classes. </p>
<p>If you just take classes for purposes of rank, you're going to be kicking yourself. A case in point is myself. I was tied for rank of 1 this year (my senior year), so I took AP Chem, which I hate, to boost my rank. I'm now #1, but I think I could have done just as well tied rather than taking a class I don't care for.</p>
<p>Really, there isn't much difference between #1 and like #10, the time to worry is when you're at the 50% rank.</p>
<p>Otter, I've heard of taking outside AP classes, but outside IB classes? Completely pointless.</p>
<p>I see you here a lot so I know for sure you aren't a troll. I also know that you are pretty sincere and competitive so... </p>
<p>To improve your GPA:
Know your school grading policy and see if they weighted classes are factored into your GPA and rank. For my school, its not. Just unweighted. </p>
<p>Find out the person who is ranked above you. It's always nice to know who your dealing with and their present situation. </p>
<p>If your school awards weighted GPA, stock on Honors, AP, IB, Pre-AP or whatever you call it at your school. </p>
<p>Try to take outside courses like community college credit and stuff. More classes can help you in certain cases. For example, if you both have one B, the person with more classes will have a (slightly) higher GPA. </p>
<p>Also, try to take your mind off it for now. You're in it for the long run, and this is not a 100 meter dash. You have about three and a half years left. Plenty of time. </p>
<p>Whatever happens, don't try to take a hit on rank one. Association with attempted murder can have severe implications on your future academic career.</p>
<p>My freshman year sucked pretty hard- I don't know what my ranking was, but it couldn't have been good. I wasn't even close to a 4.0. And you know what? At the beginning of this year and the end of last year (I'm a senior), my guidance counselor and teachers still encouraged me to apply to top schools. Even my physics teacher, who makes kids cry on a regular basis, thinks I can make it to the Ivy League- and I'm only ranked 8th in my class even now. So even if being ranked second so soon wasn't already a truly fantastic accomplishment (and it totally is, trust me), you've still got a lot more time to live up to your own expectations.</p>
<p>If it makes you feel any better (not that you should need it), I have a sneaking suspicion that the guy ranked 2nd in my grade is actually quite a bit smarter than the valedictorian. Rank isn't everything.</p>
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I'm only ranked 8th in my class even now
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<p>Salamander, I think the key word is only..</p>