My school doesn’t officially report class rank, but we can get it if we ask. I am 29th in a class of 455.
Can I self report my class rank? I feel like being in the top 10% of my class is good, and would improve my application, but being 29th doesn’t sound nearly as impressive, so I would report the decile rank.
Is that dishonest? I don’t want to seem as though I’m lying, especially if the other students at my school don’t put down any rank or put down exact numbers.
What should I do?
Class rank and the general strength of your secondary school are better predictors of your first year academic success than are the ACT or SAT. Secondary schools have profiles they almost always mail with your requested transcript. There should be no problem with your reporting rank on your own to the college/university.as long as you know it is correct.
Do you have a college advisor at your school? See if you can get a copy of the secondary school sheet which is enclosed with the transcripts when it is forwarded to the college. It may explain a lot.
@retiredfarmer They post it online; I have a copy on me. It says nothing as far as class rank other than my district not reporting it. I go to a very good high school that sends plenty of kids to Ivies each year. What would I be looking for?
Also, am I free to report decile then, instead of exact number? Or should I report exactly as it was given to me?
Sorry for one month delay! I did not see your question until today.
My answer about the importance of RIC and HS rigor is based on past studies where first and second year college grades are compared to HS RIC and SAT/ACT test results. There are a number of select secondary schools that do not rank students. Colleges will know of your HS rigor if it is a school they have frequently seen. When colleges don’t know the school applying, they count heavily on the rigor of the colleges that more recent graduates have attended to gauge secondary school rigor. Sometimes they even call the school.
You may be overthinking the problem. There is no harm in sending the RIC information you have as RIC or decile rank. As far as I know we still have free speech in this country! Just stick with the facts as you know them.