<p>I currently go to an extremely competitive, small, elite private school. One of my good friends attends a larger less competitive public school. I was talking about our GPA's the other day, and he was talking about how he had a GPA over 4.0, and didn't even feel like he was working hard. This seemed slightly unfair, because I currently have a ~3.6UW, and work much harder than him. (I also think I'm significantly smarter!)
My question is how elite schools like Harvard differentiate between students like myself and my friend. Obviously, a 4.0 is harder to obtain at a school like mine, and I'm worried that I will be branded as a "weaker student" than him (which I'm not!!). Does Harvard take this into account?</p>
<p>just look at rank. that is what colleges will use. still, a 4.0 looks better than a 3.6 anyday. even if it is from an elite school. (still, your gc can explain)</p>
<p>rank wouldn't even do it though because its easy to be #1 at a bad school, much harder at an elite one. usually, the less known schools only get 1 if any into Harvard per year while the well known public and private schools can get 5-10 in, so that's where it evens out i guess</p>
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<p>You sure are</p>
<p>Universities, particularly ones like Harvard that get thousands of applications from all over the world, are aware of the relative difficulties of many schools. Schools also send information sheets in with your guidance counselor's report; they include statistics like what percentage of the class goes on to a four-year college, what the average SAT score of seniors at the school is, etc. All these factors help the admissions committee take into account the rigor of your curriculum.</p>
<p>I know what you mean. In 7th grade we (my family) moved from a pretty bad school district to a much much more competitive one. Had I stayed there, I probably would have graduated in the top 5; however where we are now I'll be lucky to be in the top 20-30.</p>
<p>To add to Phoenixy's point, this is one reason why a particular admissions officer is in charge of all the high schools in one area from year to year. They can get personally familiar with each school, the counselors there, and even which teachers are known as the hard graders, etc.</p>
<p>A few questions:</p>
<p>(1) What if my school doesn't rank?</p>
<p>(2) My county has a tough grading system (A=94+, B+=90-93). Will Harvard look at my B+'s as A's?</p>
<p>(3) Does Harvard recalculate your GPA without non-academic classes (PE, health, art, orchestra)? Do they calculate it by semester or by quarter?</p>
<p>(4) Harvard takes your unweighted GPA, correct?</p>
<p>I'm only qualified to answer part 1 of your question:</p>
<p>1) My high school didn't tell students their ranks either. The guidance counselor will be asked to "unofficially" provide your rank, or, if the school doesn't even calculate your ranking, to estimate what percentile of the class you're in.</p>
<p>such amazing modesty</p>
<p>Would top 10% be considered a decent rank, or does it need to be higher, like top 5%? </p>
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<li>Decent enough to be accepted at Harvard EA, that is.</li>
</ul>
<p>ehh, without a hook, top 10% prob isnt high enough. if top 10% is the highest level available, than its completely fine, but if its like top 1, top2, top 5, top 10, and you're 10, youd definitely be at a disadvantage</p>
<p>Obviously, the higher the rank, the better, but people definitely get in to Harvard and comprable schools with a 10% or lower rank. 11% of my high school graduating class went to HYP, so there's your proof. I even know one person who got into Yale who was at the 25th percentile--although there were some other factors involved. (Namely, her graduating class had fewer than 10 students, so the percentiles got distorted.)</p>
<p>geez, it doesn't sound like you're such a good "friend" based on the way you compare yourself to this kid. i agree with bobbobbob. ;)</p>