<p>I got a 94% average and finished third last year; this year, I have a 90% average and obviously, my rank is presumably lower unless everybody else dropped as well. I still have a 4.0 average because I'm getting straight A's, but they're the low A's, hence the lower %. If it makes any difference, I'm taking the hardest course load in my grade for sure, and I'm the only one in my school who has not opted to take a spare block in their senior year. </p>
<p>My parents are panicking, so I'd like to know what kind of difference this will make in the admissions process at top schools like Amherst and Williams.</p>
<p>All my other bases (SATs, ECs, letters, essays) are rock solid so it'll be a shame if this puts a damper on my hopes.</p>
<p>Yes, schools are most concerned about your taking the heavy load - better a B in AP Calc. than an A in AP Stats. They look at what your school offers (based on College Counselor). Don't know where you have applied but those grades are not going to change your admission chances.</p>
<p>See where you have applied - you are fine - hope you have other schools because it is really crazy. My son is going through it all and I have 2 daughters - one who just graduated and one a junior in college. I have never seen anyhting like this competition. Hang in there. Up to the gods now!</p>
<p>Williams, Amherst, Brown, and Yale. Those are the schools I really want to get into.</p>
<p>Harvard, Stanford, and Swarthmore, I'm less passionate about; I am guilty of being one of those who applied "just for the hell of it". Actually, I'm kind of a scout applicant, so that other younger people can use my admission or rejection as a barometer when it comes for their turn to apply.</p>
<p>Well, you certainly write well! Good luck. You will get in somewhere with your stats. You are OK with Canada because you have no USA safeties? Canada is great!</p>