GPA/Class Rank Help?

<p>I have a relatively low GPA (3.38 unweighted; my school doesn't weight them) but my rank puts me in the top 7% of my class. The weird thing is that I go to a subpar public high school, not an elite private school. My counselor isn't worried about my GPA--he says that my rank is "what really matters," which doesn't sound right to me...will this GPA/rank combo hurt me, or will they balance each other out?</p>

<p>Rank is most important.</p>

<p>bump. I’m still so confused.</p>

<p>selective schools will review your rank, course rigor and gpa, not just rank. doing well academically while taking the most rigorous program available is the goal. If you are 7% at your school and have taken the toughest classes you can, that’s very good. but you have only a B+ average. you’re right to have some concerns about how that GPA will be evaluated during admissions. If you can get strong test scores, that will give credibility to the high rank.</p>

<p>I’m retaking both the SAT and the ACT this fall, but my scores were 31 and 2170, respectively, with perfect reading scores on both.</p>

<p>that helps. It makes you look more like a top 7% person and not so much like a b plus.</p>

<p>CC often skews people’s perceptions. You have excellent SAT scores and decent grades, and unless you want to go to the top 20 schools, you should be ok. (And you could possibly have a chance for those, depending on the rest of your history.) There are dozens of schools that would be just lovely for you, and most of those dozens of schools would be thrilled to have you.</p>

<p>GeekMom63, that made me smile/feel better. thanks. :)</p>