<p>An applicant I know goes to a HS that does not rank students. They do, however, publish information that makes it clear he has the highest GPA. They publish a bar chart showing how many students in the graduating class have GPAs within different ranges, and each year, the highest range goes from 4.3 to the highest GPA in that class (which changes every year) - and this year, this kid's GPA is that upper limit. So, does he have to say he does not know his rank, or is it OK for him to put on his common app that he is #1 in his school?</p>
<p>You cannot put #1 unless the high school will in fact verify it, and a high school that does not formally rank each student is not likely to verify it. That range information the high school provides most likely will be provided to the college in a high school profile report either as a submission with the student’s official transcript or as a general submission provided to the college in relation to all students who apply. High schools that do what you mention usually do that. Thus, the college is likely to get the range information you mention. If space in app asks for rank you should say the school does not rank. He might mention in a space for additional info or an essay that the school provides the ranges, give his GPA and state the GPA range he is.</p>