<p>My school does not release any ranks, not even percentages. It is also a very competitive school. My GPA is significantly lower than the average GPA at most top schools. However, my GPA met the ELC (Eligibility in Local Context) for the UC's. This basically means that I was in the top 4% of my high school class and am guaranteed a spot at one UC.</p>
<p>Can I include that I met the requirements for ELC in the Additional Info Section of the application to basically prove my rank and the competitiveness of my school? And also should I keep the letters that prove ELC just in case the colleges would want to verify?</p>
<p>Very good question. I was thinking about that too. Hope someone can comment!</p>
<p>I would keep it just in case. If your school does not rank but you know you are ELC then I would put "top decile" under the ranks to non-UC schools. If they would like to ask you why, you can simply point them to the UC ELC page or your letter stating that you are within the top 4% of your school.</p>
<p>Or one could also briefly mention it in the "additional information".</p>
<p>Having been through the app process with both of my kids now, I would say it you have an advantage like ELC=top 4%, I'd sure want my s or d to use it to give other colleges an idea of class rank. You job as applicant is to use every advantage you have. But....sometimes the guidance counselor recommendations do mention stuff like this-- I would ask GC if she/he has opinion on this. We were advised by one college to have guidance counselor mention it is far more powerful/credible.</p>
<p>kidchicago:</p>
<p>For most schools, this will probably not be necessary. First off, your school profile will almost certainly cover the issue of relatively low GPAs. If your school really is competitive, it will have sent a number of graduates to the most selective schools, and they will be familiar with the way GPA works there. If others from your school are applying to the same colleges you are, the ad. officer will almost certainly compare transcripts.</p>
<p>The one place you might need to at least check with admissions would be for a school where very few people from your school have applied before. They might be interested in the ELC.</p>
<p>Heck, I have now talked to at least five ad. officers who claim that they now track how well kids from a particular high school do over time, check it against their grades, and make at least part of their decision based on that.</p>
<p>If your school does not give out class rank of any kind, it means that the counselors there are very, very savvy about college admissions. That's a good thing. I'd talk to them about this.</p>
<p>So you should be fine.</p>
<p>My guess is your GC wil mention it, but it does not hurt to ask. If they don't plan on mentioning it, or even if they do, I'd go ahead and include it yourself. This is a very legitimate bragging right, so no one will fault you if it gets mentioned twice. Top 4% is a lot nicer than top decile. This is no time to be humble.</p>