How does rank affect your acceptance (vs GPA) and do AP self-studies help?

<p>My is a rising senior. Just before school ended in May, she went to one of those Exploring College Options presentations where they have reps from Duke, Georgetown, Harvard, Penn and Stanford. When they got to the Q&A portion, D stood up and asked: “What do you think of applicants who self study for additional AP’s over and above the AP classes they take?” The Harvard rep said: “Please don’t do that. We’re not impressed by that.” The other reps all agreed.</p>