I’m a junior and I feel like I’m obsessing over becoming valedictorian. If I have a chance at number 1 in my school is it worth pursing if in the process I sacrifice time and classes I want to take (In order to take weighted AP’s). Or is settling for top 10 fine if I’m looking into super competitive schools?
I heard it really doesn’t matter UNLESS you go to an extremely un-competitive school (which is my case). But you can do it for self-pride haha
Don’t bother obsessing over ‘val’ status. It’s not going to measurably improve your chances of admission at a super-selective school. You just need to be at the top of the class. Focus that obsessive energy more productively - on whatever ECs you do that give you joy and perspective and push your boundaries and make you an interesting person to talk to. Be the person that a college admissions officer says, “Hmmm, sounds like someone I’d enjoy getting to know better.”
If your school is bad, and never sends people to the schools you are aiming for, then yes, it would help a lot that you are at number 1.
It seems like your school is fairly competitive, so I would say no it’s not worth it. Colleges don’t like robots who only know how to study. They want actual people to attend their institution.
Higher is better but Val is awarded well after you’ve been admitted to colleges. Being in the top tier of your school and having great discriminators is more important.