<p>Which one matters more? Rank or rigor?<br>
For example, while all seniors at the top of my class took a CP course 4th block(research), I took Organic Chem at a community college. Unfortunately, everything piled up this semester(founding clubs, officer positions, sat, act, college apps, etc.), so I ended up getting a B in this course, as well as a B in AP physics because I had to skip Hon. to fit in AP in my highschool career. I've had a 4.0 with 97%+ in all my math/science courses throughout high school, but after this semester, it dropped to 4.93. My class rank is going to be around 9/283 :(((. Is this going to be the death of my apps to Ivy Leagues/ other top schools?</p>
<p>wow your rank is 9/283 which you means you’re ONLY in the top 3%?! wow, your GPA dropped to a 4.93?! You can’t possibly go to a selective school!..You’re probably fine.</p>
<p>Oh yeah, rigor is more important.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply. I understand why you would make fun of that level of obsession, but I just spent some time going through the actual results thread from last year’s Princeton admission…and not a SINGLE person got in who wasn’t either sal or val, unless they were URM or had some sort of an edge. You may think I’m freaking out for no reason, but according to results posted on this forum, I should be. :(</p>
<p>That’s mostly because quite a lot of the people on this site are overachievers and may well be val or sal at their respective school. Just because you aren’t doesn’t mean you don’t have what it takes. </p>
<p>Also, I would say that the “actual results thread” is not really a full representation of the admitted class. How can 50 or so results show much about the entire admitted class of 2016? Don’t worry about it until you get accepted or not.</p>
<p>Hey, sorry for appearing rude man. =( Just know, you don’t need to be #1 in everything to go to a great college. And if you’re going to an Ivy because it’s simply an Ivy, don’t. There are many top schools and with your stats, I KNOW you will go somewhere great and be successful (however YOU define success) in your future endeavors.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies. djking, no worries. I didn’t think you were being rude:). I’m honestly not applying to Ivy’s because they’re prestigious or anything superficial like that. I chose to apply to a few of them that I actually love. Everything from the specific science programs available to the energy of the student body and the extracurricular options. This intrinsic pull is why I’m so worried that my rank will keep me out(same story for other schools that I’m applying to).</p>
<p>
</p>
<p><em>raises hand</em>
10char</p>
<p>:D</p>
<p>This is probably too personal and you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to, but what exactly was your class rank, percentage-wise?</p>