<p>I say SAT > GPA > Class rank.
The SAT is the same for everyone. That’s why it’s the most fair, plain and simple.
GPA depends on rigor and grade inflation. I got a B+ (and I’m still mad about that, because I was literally tenths of a point from an A) in freshman Geometry that would have been equivalent to a solid A at a different school, so GPA is also flawed.
My school doesn’t report students’ ranks, but instead says what percent of your class you’re in (ie top 5%, top 10%, etc). Since two people from a range of 4.43 (highest possible GPA at my school) to 4.2 can be in the top 5%, percentage isn’t a fair indicator of ability.
Basically, everything sucks, but the SAT sucks the least.</p>