dude9521

Yeah so I was lazy freshman year and got a couple of Bs, but I took 2 APs in sophomore year and 6 in junior year and got straight As with five 5s and 3 4s. My SAT score is 2250 (780 M, 670 R, 800 W) and my SAT II scores are 800 chem, 780 math II, and 750 bio (M). Because of my AP scores I'm a national AP scholar so obviously I've changed my ways, but because of my horrible laziness freshman year, my class rank will probably be somewhere between 7 and 10 out of about 200. I know this is still the top 5%, but what if I am ranked at, say, 12 or 13? My class is ULTRA competitive compared to previous graduating classes at my high school...will the admission officers know this somehow? My gpa is about a 94. Obviously you'd have to know my ECs/essays to give a sure answer, but I'm just talking academically. Will a class rank difference between 7 or 12 make a huge difference? Thank you!

T26E4

Who can say? Really. You just need to apply if it's your desire to do so. People may reply that it will affect you. So what?

Here's an undeniable fact: as soon as you hit the "submit" button, your chances are POOR.

But so is practically everyone else.

Just go for it. Good luck to you.

cortana431

The competitiveness of your high school class really doesn't offer any 'leniency,' if you will, unless your school Regularly sends about 30% or more of the graduating class to ivy league and peer universities. So in your case, No. Apply though, and see what happens!

tirakon

Class rank is not a very big deal. What's important is that you're generally at the top, and then that you distinguish yourself with your SAT's and extracurricular activities.

For what it's worth, though, US News rankings only take into account percentage of admitted students in the top 10% of their class. So, being somewhere between top 5% and top 10% wouldn't hurt Columbia in their rankings.

Bottom line, this is a trivial issue. Focus on making your application as strong as possible.