<p>Hi,
I'm actually new on this forum. I am a freshman in high school and my first question is how big of a factor is rank in the application process? I aim for an Ivy, but am confused on if I <em>MUST</em> achieve valedictorian. I admit I screwed up first semester (2 B's in weighted classes :[), however after laying out my high school plan, I hope to redeem myself...</p>
<p>So, what about everyone else? (Please no harsh comments) Thanks! I deeply appreciate all the tips. :]</p>
<p>By the way, I am in top 5% in my school (if that is any extra info you might need?). :]</p>
<p>Of course you don't need to be a valedictorian (only like 20% are)</p>
<p>and it is important for some schools, but my school does not rank.</p>
<p>I have to say, I really do want to be in the top 2% of my class. So... Any help at all would be great!</p>
<p>For perspective, approx. 40% of Dartmouth's matriculants are Val or Sal.....</p>
<p>Don't worry so much about rank unless you go to a school where just about everyone has the same course schedule. Just pick the most challenging classes. Calm down though, the schools want a real person, not just a perfect transcript so do what you want and do that well. Admissions at Ivies are a crapshoot, no one can predict anything about them.</p>
<p>If you want to know how important rank is to a particular school, google its Common Data Set at look at Section C7. Class rank is there with other factors, each checked as Very Important, Important, Considered, or Not Considered.</p>
<p>Also, your rank plays a big role in whether you qualify for certain scholarships.</p>
<p>My school completely blundered my rank-317/345 ( I get All A's and have one of the most rigorous schedules for a soph) should I be really concerned or accept it? I'm sending an official transcript for an internship and since the deadline is fast approaching need to mail it; I don't want them to think I'm a slacker. Also my school is not competitive at all.</p>
<p>Class rank is used to interpret your place within the rest of your grade. If someone has a 3.9UW, but they are in the top 20% of the class, it will look like the school is maybe not as challenging as if a student had a 3.7UW but was in the top 5% of their class.</p>
<p>you really don't need to be valedictorian- as long as you're in the top 10% of your class, you should be fine.</p>
<p>I have above a 4.0 and am in the top 100 students...</p>
<p>Does that mean my school is not challenging?</p>
<p>^maybe because its weighted? weighted grades dont really matter since most colleges unweight (especially if APs are weighted like 6.0 and honors 5.0, that could really be the reason why there are so many kids with high GPAs)</p>
<p>umm yea i cant possibly be valedictorian because our class is 750+ kids...but i think with like around 3.95 UW, i can be top 2 percent out of the class...</p>
<p>i think the percentage of your rank is far more important than your actual rank (because mnay schools have really small classes)</p>
<p>but honestly, grades dont matter once you reach a certain level...i have to say, most colleges look at 3.9+ to a 4.0 as the same thing....(a 3.9 with 10 APs probably > 4.0 with 3 APs)</p>
<p>btw, ^what school do you go to (size)? You said you are top 5% and also top 100 at the same time...im sure you arent implying you have 2000 kids at your school in one grade are you?</p>
<p>One look at the facts for ivy admission and you'll know the top 10% thing is a myth. Don't know how it started but it's totally untrue that someone who is at 9% has much of a chance at an ivy without a hook.</p>
<p>The other myth being spread here is that you can't predict ivy acceptances. Other than the total randomness at HYP, you can go a long way towards predicting who will get in by closely analyzing the facts. At Dartmouth or Brown, for example, if you are top of your class and have a 2350 plus, you have an excellent chance of getting in. </p>
<p>Rank is the most important factor in college admission, it's not GPA because GPA can only be interpreted within the context of rank. For schools that don't rank, colleges approximate a rank for the applicant.</p>
<p>You don't have to be val for a chance, but the reality is rank matters a whole lot.</p>