<p>Per the school’s website, over 93% of <em>enrolling</em> students were in top 10%, so I would guess the number for <em>accepted</em> students is even higher than that. I seem to recall seeing a statistic somewhere (perhaps DeanJ’s blog?) that said it was 98%? Given those numbers, I’d say a top 10% standing is a de facto requirement, if not de jure.</p>
<p>Case Study: DS is a Virginia resident, with a 2220 SAT (1520 CR/M), 4.5 weighted GPA (IB Diploma program), JV & varsity soccer + 10 years of rec league and 6+ years of piano. He applied EA. He was in the top 11% of his class at the end of junior year, but had fallen down a bit by the time senior year started because a huge number of rising seniors dropped out over the summer. (He attends a magnet school where many non-IB kids are just counting the days until they can drop out.) I’m guessing he ranked in the top 12-13% when he applied. </p>
<p>Outcome: Rejected outright – not even deferred. </p>
<p>Who knows what went through the reviewers’ minds, so make of it what you will. But he writes very well if not passionately (he’s more of a math/business type), so I assume his essay responses were decent. And both of his teachers who wrote recommendations seem to really like having him in their classes. To me, the circumstantial evidence of a hard 10% cut-off (absent other compelling factors) is pretty strong.</p>