Importance of Rank

Applying to College
1

<p>How important do you see rank in the admissions game? </p>

<p>I had never really thought it to carry a lot of weight, but by some posts on here, I've begun to realize that it actually is a factor considered.</p>

<p>EX: Over my years in high school, my rank has come up from 36 (freshman year) to 19 (sophomore year) to 10 (Junior year which just ended.) My class size is 600 students. As long as I'm in the top 5%, is my rank going to look the same as someone else who is, say, 4th in a class of 600?</p>

2

<p>Rank is pretty important. A big problem with GPA's is that they turn on so many arbitrary rules from school to school (which isn't necessairly a bad thing in and of itself), that a class rank helps put things into context. a 4.3 at one school may be exceptional, while at another school downright mediocre. Class rank helps put these things in context.</p>

<p>10/600 is fine, maybe unless you're applying to HYPSM (although this being CC, I'm sure a fair number of people will pop up to tell you that if you to a public, schools will expect you to be in the top 5. I would ignore them.)</p>

3

<p>Really? Isn't it somewhat unfair though. I have a 4.37 weighted and im only 30 out of 90. But like for the senior class a 4.37 would put me in the top 10. I'm just unfortunate enough to have a really smart class this year.</p>

4

<p>4th in a class of 600 is pretty much the same as 10th in a class of 600. I wouldn't worry about it at all. There are disadvantages to looking at class rank. For example, it doesn't take into account the level of difficulty of your classes.</p>

5

<p>
[quote]
I'm just unfortunate enough to have a really smart class this year.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>dude i know how you feel. i could easily be val in the junior class but im stuck fighting it out for a top 5 in my class. i know top 5 is great, but val would be awesome.</p>

6

<p>unless ur val or sal, it doesnt matter if ur inside top 10%</p>

7

<p>I think if it you are at a public school and your school doesn't send more than 5 students to HYP then your rank is going to play a big role.</p>

8

<p>I'm glad my school doesn't rank</p>

9

<p>
[quote]
unless ur val or sal, it doesnt matter if ur inside top 10%

[/quote]
</p>

<p>oh, I disagree. While it's possible to overstate the difference in class rank, the difference between top 10 and top 1 or 2 percent is extremely significant.</p>

10

<p>well in my class there are so few that only the top 1 is in the top 2 percent, well the going to be sal is just outside (2.2% but) so..</p>

<p>I'm 3rd, and perfectly fine with it.</p>

11

<p>My school is stupid and gets teachers to pick a val and sal from the Top 10. This means even though if I am rank 1, which I am right now, I won't be guarenteed to be the val!!!</p>

12

<p>um, well I'm number 7 and I beat out both vals, the sal, and #6 to go to Northwestern. </p>

<p>Rank isn't everything. You can take the easiest classes and get to the top easy as pie. I took all APs, got the highest ACT score, and I have talent.</p>

13

<p>...and I have talent?
lol
I'm actually hoping anything in the top 10 percent is good, as long as it's validated by strong AP and SAT Subject scores, because our ranking system isa bit messed up and I think getting one B this year would drop me out of the top 5%...</p>

14

<p>rank shouldn't be considered cause in some schools (like mine) the number 1 rank is the number 1 cheater</p>

15

<p>Rank is most significant when a large number of students from one HS apply to the same selective college. The same adcom will generally review all the applications from that particular school and will need to rank the students for desirability. The school rank may not always be the actual rank used by the adcom. They will often recalculate the GPA and evaluate factors such as how challenging the curriculum was, and may call the guidance counselor at the school for additional information. In those circumstances, it is important to look good compared to your peers to make sure you make the cut.</p>

16

<p>
[quote]
I think if it you are at a public school and your school doesn't send more than 5 students to HYP then your rank is going to play a big role.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Do you think the average public high school -- even a "good" one -- is sending 5 students to HYP? There are 35,000 high schools in the US; they can't all be sending 5 students to HYP, or to the Ivies, or to the Top 20-30 schools for that matter.</p>

17

<p>Pizzagirl, you are my official favorite. </p>

<p>Also, class rank isn't everything. You can be perfect, and HYPS can still refuse you. There has to be something to make you "stand out" to get your foot in the door, and it can't just be your grades.</p>

18

<p>what if a public school sends about 50 kids to ivies each year? then does rank really matter (assuming you're shooting for ivies)?</p>

19

<p>What if you only have 50 people in your graduating class and you are ranked 7. I don't know what my rank is for sure (it ALWAYS fluctuates), but in a small class, rankings seem to be pointless...is that true?</p>

20

<p>^ That is what I am thinking. Anyways, I hate ranks. I have a 4.0 UW, and like a 4.69 unweighed, yet I am still only 9 out of 205. It is all because I messed up in midlle school, I got -As(no way). However, since I took 8 high school level classes before I even entered high school, I think I will be fine. I wish they would disregard those grades, because I got 10 +As and 6 As from last year and this year, which is kinda awesome, not to sound arrogant.</p>