Valedictorian, what is the point?

Applying to College
1

<p>I am beginning to wonder how much weight colleges really place on the valedictorian in admissions. At my school, the kids who are at the very top (1-2%) are only there because of the classes they take. I am in the top 10% or so, but my course load hold me back from those top spots. Let me give you an example. I have AP Physics, they have AP Environmental. I have AP Stats (contrary to popular belief, this class isn't a breeze at my school), they have AP Spanish (this would be the "easy" class if there was one). Mix in some honors classes vs. ap classes, which are weighted the same for us, you have a group of kids who are at the top because of the classes they chose. </p>

<p>This has left me thinking that class rank, assuming that it is in the proximity of the top, is just as valuable with tough classes as those who have the top spots with easy classes.</p>

<p>What do you guys think?</p>

2

<p>Top schools expect that you would be able to get top grades in the “hard” classes, to a certain point. However, if you are talking about getting a “B” in number theory versus an “A” in Calc III, then the person with the easier schedule will win out. </p>

<p>They will notice a trend if a person has consistently avoided hard classes, and they will be penalized. However, if it’s just like 1 or 2 classes that they took the easier option, then they won’t notice that. And admission people will not know the difference in difficulty between AP Stats and AP Spanish at your school.</p>

3

<p>The point of val is to pick one supposedly “top” student to make a speech at graduation.</p>

4

<p>At my school you can’t pick your classes… :(</p>