<p>Don't you love how schools like Princeton and Harvard always say things like "Most of our students are in the top 10-15 percent of their class." Its very misleading. They make it seem like lower ranked students have a good shot at getting in, but that certainly isn't the case. </p>
<p>Look at any of the RD admissions boards for HYPMS and you'll notice that most people that got in were in the top 10 of their class-people not percent. It seems that the lowest they will dip for an average school is maybe to #6. Most people who got in were Val, Sal, or #3. </p>
<p>I think the reason they say things like that is to increase the number of people who apply and therefore increase their selectivity. </p>
<p>Does anyone get in directly at the margin? Top 10% 30/300? How about top 5 percent 15/300? It seems they stay in the Top 2.5% or 7/300 at the most. </p>
<p>Of course if your class doesn't rank or gives out ranks in blocks (Top 5% or Top 10% is best) then you wouldn't have this problem-It would be strictly GPA for you. </p>
<p>What do you think?</p>