I have applied early decision to an Ivy League school and at this current time I am ranked 2nd in the class. However, this is because I have already gotten my required unscaled classes out of the way (gym, art). Now I am taking four AP classes which will sky rocket my GPA while the current Valedictorian is taking those requirements now. I will definitely pass him by the time they they declare Valedictorian (3rd quarter) and will most likely pass him by RD deadline. How much of difference does being number 1 and being number 2 make in a college’s decision?
zero difference to the colleges. voila
Your gran might be tickled that you’re #1. No one else is.
None. Knock yourself out.
I also think there’s no difference on those aspects. You’d have to be graded on your exams I think
I agree. It won’t matter.
None.
No difference. And most schools aren’t even going to care if u are either val or sal, because it counts for zero in the USNWR ranking methodology.
You’d think someone sitting in the #2 spot would know how to spell Salutatorian.
Like everyone else has said, I would imagine that the difference in ranking between #1 and #2 is virtually negligible to admissions officers. You might want to rethink your priorities this year if that is your foremost concern. Enjoy what’s left of high school, try not to be so shallow when thinking about what really matters in life.
Doesn’t make a difference, but I don’t see why everyone has to be a douche to you, congrats btw!!!
absolutely zero. Only (some) high school students care. 
Don’t listen to all these dirtbags on here. Just try your best and be happy! There are so many snobby brats who have no morals or social skills on here.
Actually, most of the respondents to this thread are parents who have been helping kids on CC for many years.
I don’t understand what that has to do with this topic, considering that every single respondent in this thread has said that there was no difference between 1 & 2.
None whatsoever. In fact, I don’t think there will be any difference between anyone in the Top 10 - depending on class size.
Statistically speaking, it is perfectly possible that in any given year, your HS turns out 1-2 more stellar students. It won’t matter. What will is the weight you seem to have ascribed to it. Basing your self-worth on class rank isn’t advisable…
No difference. It is OK to want to be valedictorian. But once you go to college, you would have to just go ahead and randomly blurt out your val status in conversation with your new friends because otherwise it will never come up. It would be weird to put it on your resume unless you are this professor at Stanford:
http://www.rajchetty.com/chettyfiles/cv.pdf
Like others have said, it doesn’t matter.
My eldest was Val and I can tell you from experience that the only people who really care are the top 3 students of the class. #1 is trying to hang on, #2 wants to be #1 while keeping #3 at bay, and #3 just wants to be in the race and graduate with a title.
I know it’s hard, but try not to get caught up in the race for a prize that has limited value. Also, don’t get trapped into thinking that just because you are Val/Sal, that you have a golden ticket for acceptance into any school. Most top schools evaluate students holistically and a Val/Sal title won’t necessarily make up for a glaring hole elsewhere in your app. This is especially true with Ivies. They probably reject more Vals/Sals than they accept. Manage your expectations.
@ekdad212: You’ve hit the nail on the head (well, at least what you’ve said is compatible with my own observations - speaking as #3).
dirtbag, checking in here. It seems like all the adults are of one voice. And one dissenting voice, another HS student.
I’m going to join the dirtbag adult crew, lol.
@ekdad212 is right. Even your other classmates likely don’t care.