So junior year just ended and all our grades got finalized. I ended with a 95 UW and about a 98 W average. This puts me somewhere in the 25-45 range out of 800 or so (top 3%- top 6%). Will my class rank hurt me? I didn’t really try 9th grade… did fairly well soph year and did amazingly well this year. Also, I am thinking of applying ED here (or cornell). Thanks for the help!
You’re good, don’t worry. Top 3-6% isn’t a “bad” class rank at all, particularly since you’ve shown a strong upward trend. Applying ED definitely helps – good luck!
GPA and class rank are important, but so too is the curricular rigor with which you’ve challenged yourself. In sum, a top 3 to 6 percent rank (and its associated GPA) could range from a positive to a negative for Duke acceptance, based on the difficulty of your courses. A higher GPA/class rank won’t be overly helpful if the academic rigor isn’t clear. Taking – and doing well in – the most intellectually demanding courses available to you is an admissions key.