Well, in Texas the importance of rank is the result of the state legislature’s lazy way of admitting minority students to UT/A&M. Initially the Texas “auto admit” program included minimum SAT scores, I think a 1400/1600 was auto admit even if you were bottom of the class. Top 10% for UT had a floor of 800/1600, and I know my HS sent a auto-admit student to UT with a 860!