How important is class rank?

<p>In the college admissions process, how important is class rank? My school does not rank until senior year, at which time they only rank the top two students. I am just curious how this affects your chances at some of the highly competitive schools.</p>

<p>depends on college.</p>

<p>My D's school (it's private) changed last year from ranking to not ranking. It didn't seem to make a difference with the acceptances and scholarships that the seniors got last year. On college web pages I've looked at where they list average rankings I've noticed that generally at least 40% of students are unranked. So a lot of high schools don't seem to rank. Of course if you did end up being in the top two it might help provided the information is released before admissions decisions are made.</p>

<p>See, I really don't know where I am in my class of about 300 but I think that is is safe to say that I am somewhere in the top ten, if not higher. However, seeing the amazing stats from other people on this site makes me a bit apprehensive about my chances. I just don't know how much it would help my admissions chances to be the val/sal. Please help!!!!</p>

<p>bumppppppp</p>

<p>Penn</a> Admissions: Incoming Class Profile</p>

<p>Notice how the percentages go: If you are not valedictorian or salutatorian, it is in your best interest to have your HS report you as top 10%.</p>

<p>I don't think this applies if the class is big though, which yours is. I think its just that Penn at least wants to know that you are on the top of your class, and if they see that you are top 10%, they can still think that you are valedictorian/salutatorian. But if your HS reports your rank as something in the top 10% but below top 5%, then they know that you aren't the very top of your class, which apparently really puts them off, as, in my opinion, the difference between a 6% admit rate and a 19% admit rate is massive.</p>