<p>I got this idea from a Princeton thread, but it seems as if there is supposed to be a correlation between high school gpa and SAT scores. Is this the case? It seems as if high schools whose valedictorians score mediocre on the SAT are of lesser quality than other schools? Will adcoms be impressed by students who are ranked outside of the top 1-2%, yet outscore most of those who are in the top 1-2%?</p>
<p>to answer your last question, probably, because I'd say that person has more potential. Of course your GPA can't be horrendous or they'll just think you're a lazy kid with a few smarts. Best way is to be ranked high and have a good SAT =)</p>
<p>No, because at top colleges the kids they take are strong in both. High GPA/low score=grade inflated, non competitive school. High score/low GPA=slacker.</p>
<p>I mean, I know someone who is top 4% of their class, yet outscored all but 3 individuals (all 3 of whom are ranked 1-2%). I wouldn't imagine someone ranked 20-25/663 would be considered a slacker, but then again, you never know.</p>
<p>I think the difference between top 4% and top 2% is negligible...both students probably have 3.75+ GPAs, at worst, unless there's clearly major grade deflation, or a hugely underacheiving school. I agree with your assessment that this student would not be considered a slacker. Maybe he sucks at science, and lost GPA points in that, but it didn't affect his SAT...one never knows. I think within that tight a range, it would come down much more to ECs/intangibles than a difference in stats.</p>
<p>since there are so many ppl with astronomical SATs and GPAs, it all boils down to dedication and patriotism (lolz)</p>
<p>* Who is deleting my posts?? *</p>
<p>well, not necessarily with valedictorians... I got the highest score in my class (2330) and I was only ranked 6th... or something, I stopped caring by 2nd semester sophomore year. </p>
<p>I can't imagine someone would put in enough effort to get a great SAT score (2300+) without either being smart enough to be in the top 4% of their class, or studying enough to be up there... this is ignoring, of course, the few high schools that are super-selective and full of geniuses :D</p>
<p>So little separates the top kids at most public high schools (whether or not someone got a B in an elective, how much honors is weighted versus AP, etc etc etc) that there really isn't a difference. And the most intelligent kid may actually be ranked 10th and Harvard will take him over the 9 kids who are supposedly 'better'.</p>