<p>This discussion comes up frequently and leaves us with the same conclusions. </p>
<p>First, let's clear up the typical misconception that ranking does not matter! The absence or presence of official ranking makes little difference ... that is only the form. The example of Eadad is a tad misleading as it may represent that the order and ranking of the the first 30-40 students at the prestigious prep school was not disclosed nor known. The guidance conselors at Eadad's school are EARNING their paychecks and provide very detailed information to potential colleges and may go as far as providing grade distributions for each class, in addition to the GPA distribution by 5%, decile, or quintile. In order words, it is rather easy for the adcoms of the schools that interact with this high school to know with great certainty where Jack or Bradley stand in the academic order. Having a ranking or recreating one makes no difference. The important aspect is that the adcoms know that a very high percentage of students from elite prep schools are very qualified. </p>
<p>Sadly enough, while the absence of ranking is very appropriate for well-established schools, the situation is quite different for lesser known high schools that cave in to the pressure of some well-meaning voices. For those schools, the absence of rankings does not help. Expecting adcoms to make great efforts to understand arcane transcripts and nebulous profiles is a mistake. Except for very small and exclusive schools, the unranked students won't get any benefits.</p>
<p>Lastly, it is also a mistake to believe that ranking has taken a back seat in admissions. Inasmuch as a few lower ranked students can -and do- overcome the odds, the statistics are clear: valedictorians and students ranked in the top 2-3% of their schools do BETTER in admissions. Evidence of this can be found on website such as Rice or in the very detailed CAP report. </p>
<p>My take on this is that each school should provide detailed ranking information to all parents starting in 9th grade, but allow each family to exercise its right to disclose the information on a college by college basis. And here is a shocker: I believe that the schools should be forced to display an anonymous grade distribution of each class in a public forum instead of hiding it like a CIA employment file.</p>
<p>PS Crossposted this with Eadad last post. :)</p>