<p>I was wondering if a 2370 SAT overshadow a not so strong class rank (like barely top 10%) when dealing with Ivies. Also, I am URM.</p>
<p>That URM thing throws a monkey wrench into the equation.</p>
<p>Usually, if you're not in the top 10%, no, your SAT score would not overshadow it. That's because there are probably students in the top 10% with pretty good SAT scores too.</p>
<p>Also, if you don't have a strong class rank, it means your GPA is not high compared to your peers. With such a high SAT score, you should be able to pull good grades in your classes in relation to your peers.</p>
<p>It looks like you're a lazy genius (wow, I think I've said that before) to the adcoms (high SAT, low class rank/GPA). Colleges don't want that sort of student. It's more desirable to have a high class rank/good GPA and a low SAT (and ideally, a great class rank + good SAT).</p>
<p>In any case, I don't know for sure because you are a URM. If there are other URMs in your school with a better class rank and okay SAT scores, you're in for some competition.</p>
<p>There aren't any other URMs in my school which are competing with me, which is sorta weird in a class of 400. My school doesnt officially do rank, and I am barely in the top 10%. However, I am scared of that lazy genius label- I really think I try hard for my classes, yet I dont get the grade I always think I deserve. Will colleges really apply this label to me? My school is pretty hard, but I think explaining this to the colleges would be classified by most as "making excuses".</p>
<p>I think the "lazy genius" label has a very strong chance of being applied to your file. And many people go to competitive schools, so saying your school is difficult is not a legitimate excuse. </p>
<p>I know what you mean about not always getting the grade you deserve. The same thing has happened to me time and time again at my very competitive public high school.</p>
<p>My advice is this - consider taking a college class over the summer. If you ace it, you will show the adcom that you are really trying to make up for poor grades in the classroom and a low class rank. It also shows that you are ready for college-level material. And if anything, you might get a glowing recommendation from the professor who teaches your class. You might even have fodder for an application essay. This will serve as a great experience, so I highly suggest that you consider it.</p>
<p>Thank you for the advice! Also, do you know how colleges look at GPA if your school doesnt release class rank to colleges?</p>
<p>My school doesn't release rank either.</p>
<p>However, your school probably lists the highest and lowest GPA. The adcoms might look at your GPA and compare it to the highest and lowest GPA to determine about where you fall within your class. And while your school can't give exact rank, they MIGHT be able to give percentiles. You will not be at a disadvantage if your school does not offer exact rank.. however, they will have other methods to find out where you are within your class.</p>