<p>Ideal applicant. Just one black dot. Like majority of the Indian students, 11th std marks. Though the school doesn’t rank, will an unofficial mention by teacher in the LOR indicating the student was in the top 5% of the class be good enough to cover it up ?</p>
<p>Yes that is correct. The transcript places your grades in context of the rest of your class. And LORs serve the same purpose as well. Not cover it up, in my opinion, but explain it.</p>
<p>with a 1900 in SAT, really good school transcripts, and an extremely good art portfolio, how far can I go as far as universties in the US are concerned?</p>
<p>One class under explainable circumstances has marginal impact on admission. Unless it’s a complete failure, I would focus on the more positive achievements than dwelling on the one negative spot.</p>
<p>Good Luck.</p>
<p>–
S. Mohammad, Ph.D. - GradTree</p>
<p>@anialways even though my teacher is saying I’m in the top 5% of my class in the LOR, my transcript DOES NOT mention anything of that sort. Not rank not percentile nothing. HSC board. I got 50% marks 
yes 50. But in a class of 120, that’s among the top most. And except this, all of my academics are good. 90+ in 9th(rank 2 in class) , 93% in 10th Cgpa 9.8(top 5 in class) and 90+ in 12th I’ll get. Got 2250 in SAT mock. Will study and give my official one. I’m taking a drop year ( not technically, graduating in march applying in November), so I’m thinking of doing some APs as well. Would they still look at my academics with contempt ?</p>
<p>Also ive heard colleges like graphs with upper trends. My graph has a REALLLY steep increase from 11th to 12th :p</p>
<p>u mean a W curve. it is supposed to increase anyways</p>
<p>^It will be like a V. :P</p>
<p>^It will be like a V. 
10char</p>
<p>shreyas</p>
<p>The transcript is sort of like your report card. Most Report Cards do mention one’s class rank or percentile. And if your counsellor is translating/explaining your grades in context of the rest of your class, that should suffice.</p>
<p>Do not worry so much. Do the damage control as best as you can and focus on your strengths.</p>
<p>You are going to be fine. Just have a balance mix of collehge list, which is, 20% dream, 60% match and 40% safeties.</p>
<p>Mine don’t ! Maybe the 10th Cbse one does but I’m pretty sure 11th mark sheet doesn’t mention it. I chose state board for 11th 12th. Big big mistake. Anyways thanks for your opinion. Let’s hope for the best and prepare for the worst.</p>
<p>Yes the 10th Class CBSE does mention the percentile on the reverse of the marksheet, at least it did, when my D received hers in 2009. And for the rest LORs will explain the grades, you versus rest of your class.</p>
<p>Yes you are going to be fine. Plan and choose college and programs where you fit in top 50 percent bracket as per the past years admission stats and keep your fingers crossed. It is a lottery, no matter what anyone says. Do your “karma” as we have heard so many times, and do it well. Then, we all land up in a place that is meant for us.</p>
<p>Our 10th CBSE report card (2011) does NOT mention percentile/rank.</p>
<p>^ Courtesy Kapil Sibal’s epic reforms to Indian education!! :)</p>
<p>@shreyas - Well, I believe I am right when I say that “ALL” Indian students face this dilemma - bad 11th Internal marks!! My advice, don’t dwell on it. Try to project other aspects of your application. The more you dwell on it, the more you will doubt yourself!!</p>