<p>at least for Brown, this is the wrong way to look at it. Brown is much more concerned with individual talent or brilliance than with rank --and I think we can all agree that being #1 doesn't necessarily equate (or even frequently equate) with being most brilliant or creative or talented as much as it does with having done a certain amount and type of work. It may not be the type of work that will get you into Brown --those students who had these qualifications also had other qualificatins, and it is the OTHER qualifications that counted most in their acceptance. Someone who is #10 or 20 but comes with other qualifications may have a better chance than you think.</p>