<p>So I just found out I'm the valedictorian of my class (holy crap! I still can't believe it) and I really don't know what the implications of that are for me. I took the hardest course load possible throughout my HS tenure so I know that won't hurt me at all. </p>
<p>But anyway, what "bonuses", if any, are there? Better financial aid packages? Much higher chance of acceptance? Do any colleges have specific policies regarding valedictorians?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance for any help!</p>
<p>Paris: Relax, I’m okay with you making valedictorian over me.
Rory: Oh, good, thanks.
Paris: Sure. I actually googled the personal histories of Ivy League valedictorians going back 25 years, and found some enlightening statistics. They don’t necessarily do too well in later life, did you know that?
Rory: No.
Paris: Oh, yeah. A lot of business failures, crumbled marriages, suicides, obesity.
Rory: Okay.
Paris: A bunch died in car crashes, several did time, one suffocated when his cat fell asleep on his face. </p>
<ul>
<li>Gilmore Girls.</li>
</ul>
<p>Sometimes more FA but its usually based on GPA, not being Val. Some may be more likely to be accepted, but it depends on where you apply. At HYPS that may be the norm.</p>
<p>People will try to tell you it’s no big deal, but don’t listen to them. As a valedictorion, you will:
<p>Seriously, there are schools that pay a lot of attention to class rank, and you’re number 1. Some schools like to tout how many vals they have, so it may help you there. (Of course, some super-selective schools like to mention how many vals they turn down.) In the final analysis, the best benefit is that it makes your parents really proud. Congrats.</p>
<p>^^^ I loled at the 10% discount at hooters…good stuff.</p>
<p>Val definitely gives you some bragging rights, and when applying to HYP without any hooks, being number 1 or 2 definitely helps a bit in terms of how many vals they accept vs. others.</p>
<p>Well I’m probably not applying to HYP but since I’m from Rhode Island, Brown will definitely be going on my list now. </p>
<p>The prospect of better FA is wonderful as I don’t have a dime saved for college as of right now.</p>
<p>UTAustin gives vals a year of free tuition, but I think that’s only for in-state students.</p>
<p>Congratulations, btw!</p>
<p>Congratulations! Your val status will help FA at state schools, and some lower rung schools, but not at Brown, where FA is determined solely on need.</p>
<p>Bragging rights is a big plus.</p>
<p>Congrats.</p>
<p>On a side note, that’s so weird they tell you so early! I know at my school students don’t know who is valedictorian until like… February.</p>
<p>Well they told us today, but they are going to recalculate it in the Spring and that’ll be the final ranking.</p>