<p>Depends on your school. If your school is ultra-competitive (i.e. a top private school), then top 5% is good because a top 5% there is equivalent to valedictorian status at many other schools. But if you go to a non-rigorous school (i.e. public high school), then you should be at the top percentile since there’s not so much cutthroat competition. It’s all subjective. That’s why the transcript puts it in focus.</p>