Hi! I’m currently a Junior in High School, and I am Ranked in the top 1% (#7) out of 700 kids in my class. If I were to get it up to #1 by the time College App time comes around, how much would it help? and how much does being ranked #1, in general, help?
I think you are in good shape. Probably better to spend that time doing something else.
Anyone else?
Valedictorian is just bragging rights. Your rank is all ready stellar so just do what you are currently doing
To answer your question, you should be fine if other parts of your application are equally stellar. A top 1% ranking with 0 EC’s of substance=automatic rejection almost every time.
Additional question to anyone who can answer: Do schools look at it in terms of percentile (if school does not provide) or at the number? For example, if I were ranked 10, but that was still in the top 5%, would schools look at it as the former or latter?
@codemachine Always the latter or something like number 10 out of 500, but percentile is usually more important.
“A top 1% ranking with 0 EC’s of substance=automatic rejection almost every time.”
True only for top schools but I am assuming that is where the OP is hoping to apply to in the future.
Top 10% is fine (unless your in TX in which UT requires top 7%).
I agree. Your rank is already really high, especially if you’re in the top 1% of your class. You can’t go up too much from there! I would just keep doing what you’re already doing. You’re on the right track! Good luck!