<p>Which schools tend to put less emphasis on gpa/rank when ECs (and SAT scores) are good?</p>
<p>More specifically mid-3rd decile and 2300+ from a competetive public school.</p>
<p>I don't know of any because gpa is the best predictor of college performance. Colleges know from research and long experience that a student with sky high scores, excellent ECs but bad grades is likely to flunk out even though such a student is capable of excelling at college work. Of course, there are always exceptions, but admissions officers would rather take the students who look like sure bets -- those whose grades are within the gpa range of most of the colleges' students. </p>
<p>If you have great scores, excellent ECs, bad grades, you can still get into some 4-year college, but it's not likely to be a college where the average scores are equivalent to yours. You're likely to get into a college that is ranked much lower, where your scores will help bring up their average.</p>
<p>I guess your might be right, but every school is different. It's much easier to be in the top 10% in some schools than in others. Not to be racist or offensive, but over 70% of my school is Asian (27% white 2% other) and because of theses atypical demographics we are not like other schools. I go to a high school where neraly everyone goes to tutor (most of which are private). If you score below a 2000 on the SAT in my school, you're deemed a failure at life who will end up at the community college. A number of people who scored between a 2340-2390 either (a)became seriously depressed for the duration of the year or (b) protested their score to Collegeboard. 5 years ago we replaced the ranking system with deciles because sabotage was occurring. I have a 4.0, but I am in the 3rd decile whereas in some schools, students have 3.6s and they're still in the first (trust me, it's not grade inflation). My point is, dont colleges take that into consideration? If they don't that is jusy messed up. Sorry for the long post/rant.</p>
<p>The college will look at the school profile, which will show how kids normally score and where they go to school. As long as you have taken the most challenging courses you can and done your best, you should be okay.</p>
<p>actually the purpose of standardized tests is to prove that there is grade deflation/inflation in your school. they can make up for a okay transcript, but if ur getting mostly C's (can have c's ocassionally but not often),D's, E's then standardized tests cant help you.</p>
<p>What if you just get a few B's (less than 5 definitely) and your school is super-grade inflated/other factors like changing standards but you have great ECs and test scores? does a lower decile hurt you as much?</p>
<p>oh wow, at my school, if you score a 2000, you're deemed a genius. Highest scorer scored a 2240 and every kid in our school and the teachers talk about her test score. i think 2nd highest score is like a 2040 at my school.</p>
<p>fastfingers, that's like my school. Four or five people (out of 100) scored higher than 2000. I have a 2070-- I'm a "nerd" and a "genius".</p>
<p>With a 4.0 and over a 2300+ you can get into many fine schools. It is the kid at your school with a 1900+ and a 3.3 that will have a tougher time (at least with scholarships, and I feel sorry for them). As far as schools that work off a chart (gpa and sat score) for merit aid you should be in the running for merit awards. You can call schools, and ask how important rank is before you apply. You should be very proud of your accomplishments. BTW, my son went to a high school that is similar to the one that you described, so I do understand. I am assuming from your posts that your main concern is your rank, as your gpa and sat score is superb.</p>