<p>Ok- I hear this lecture from them everyday ""If you were REALLY concerned about college, you would have worked harder and you would be in the top 2%; you should have started in freshman year." </p>
<pre><code> I am in the top 6% in my high school, which is very selective and competitive. I must admit, my rank is not the best, obviously but my parents always doubt about my chances of going to a good college. Am I really at a disadvantage because of my rank? I have to say, everyone in my school has had different teachers, different classes, different levels- the case in all schools and someone had to occupy each rank.
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<p>A lot of parents tend to over place themselves into this kind of thing, from what I've read around here (and my personal opinion). Only you can say if you did what you could, and in the end even more importantly if you're happy with what you actually put into it.</p>
<p>I think this entire process should be 100% about the kid. Parents efforts are best spent in advice, and depending on the kid a little hand holding. Decisions are for the kid, and criticisms are way lot and irrelevant. If it were my parents, that's what I would respectfully hint it</p>
<p>Although it hopefully won't be a big deal, seeing as you come from a competitive high school, it COULD be a slight disadvantage for a very selective school. Usually, top 10% is the "safe zone" but I believe someone here analyzed EA admission statistics and said that top 10% was no longer guaranteed to be helpful.
That being said, top 6% is an excellent rank, and you (and your parents) have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of - especially since you're coming from a competitive high school. I honestly can't see it hurting you.</p>
<p>I also go to an extremely competitive high school, AP/IB drama everywhere. Would you rather have gone to a less competitive high school to be that top 2% or did you enjoy the challenge? I'm only in the top 25%, and yeah my parents aren't too proud either, but in the end, its not your ranking that matters...its what you did with all that knowledge. Some of the valedictorians at my school have no cultural literacy whatsoever, and that does factor in to your intelligence. Grades are important, but you're parents shouldn't be ashamed, you're doing much better than most American high school kids. :]</p>
<p>The OP reported that he goes to a very selective school which is a very different thing than a competitive high school. At highly selective high schools, 30% plus often go to ivies plus MIT and Stanford. Another large percentage go to top LAC's, Caltch, etc. </p>
<p>Granted many are legacies, athletes and URMs, but top 6% would land him at a top school--maybe not an ivy-- regardless.</p>