how much is ranking considered in the application process?

<p>im concerned with how much class rank can affect the application process. (currently a senior)</p>

<p>because right now i have a class rank 1/447 in a semi-competitive public high school with 4.3 GPA weighted (taken 6 AP) but for my SAT score, i have a 2000 and for my SAT it's 780 Bio and 760 Math IIC. =(
how much is class rank weighed into the admission process compared to other factors (SAT, recommendation, etc. etc.)?</p>

<p>also, which colleges would be considered in which categories (reach, target, safety, etc.)? This is just a general aspect and im aware that EC and rec and all that stuff can be a factor too but with just those two aspects given (my class rank and SAT scores), where would the schools be ranked? These are my schools:</p>

<p>UC San diego
UCLA
UC berkeley
Stanford
Johns Hopkins
Brown
Duke
USC </p>

<p>alright thanks!</p>

<p>I don't see any safeties there. I'd put them all at reach/match because of the very low admit rates. Match for USC and possibly USSD.</p>

<p>They are gonna look at rank, gpa and SAT's in combination. High rank can only help.</p>

<p>Let me get this straight: you are a valedictorian, have amazing SAT II scores, a pretty good SAT I score, a 4.3 weighted GPA, and...I must repeat, you are a valedictorian... and you're worried about your class ranking? :)</p>

<p>Give me a break, buddy!</p>

<p>I think it is a valid concern. Being number 1 at a not so competitive high school might mean number 20 at a very competitive high school. And colleges know which high school is competitive or not.</p>

<p>I agree with post #3 as this raises a maturity issue. Post #4 is wrong in this instance since the OP claims to be #1 out of a class of 447 students. Now if the OP was homeschooled, I would agree with post #4.</p>

<p>OP - your SAT I is low for those schools you are applying to. What's your school's mean for SAT I? If you are on the high end, then it just shows your school is not a very competitive high school, but it would still hurt you. Don't you also need a SAT II in humanity?</p>

<p>oh and these are also my extra curricular now that i realized its pretty much useless without it. =/</p>

<p>Extracurricular:</p>

<p> Sophomore Class Vice-President
 Junior Class Vice-President
 ASB Vice-President
 President of Library Volunteer Club (since March, 2007)
 Varsity Boys Tennis Team: Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior and most likely captain for team (tennis is in spring.....)
 Hospital Shift Leader
 Member at School Site Council Meeting (since September 2007)
 President of CSF</p>

<p>Club:
 Conflict Manager (10th ~ 12th)
 Christian Club (9th ~ 12th)
 CSF (10th ~ 12th)
 Leo’s Club (9th ~ 12th)
 Hospital Volunteer Junior Auxiliary Program (10th ~12th)</p>

<p>Community Services:
 Hospital Volunteer (210 hour as of now)
 Library (83 hour as of now)</p>

<p>Awards:
AP Scholar Award
Nomination for National Youth Leadership Forum
2006 Rookie of the Year Tennis Award
2008 Tennis League Championship </p>

<p>June, 2007 SAT II Math II C (760)
June, 2008 SAT II Biology (780)
June, 2008 SAT II Physics (690)</p>

<p>Freshman Summer:
 Algebra II summer college class (Grade: A)
Sophomore Summer:
 Introduction Physics summer college class (Grade: A)
Junior Summer:
 Internship in Bio Research
 AP Calculus BC summer college class (Grade: A)</p>

<p>okay thanks for all the responses.
i'll see what else i might be missing....</p>

<p>It really varies. It can certainly help put grades in context, which may help or hurt a candidate depending on his or her circumstances. How much a school considers rank is going to vary too much for you to get a good answer here.</p>