I think the AP arms race isn’t just about student rank. Even for schools that don’t rank, the common app counselor form asks the counselor to rate the student’s schedule as most demanding or not. Many selective colleges specifically say they’re looking for most demanding. There are levels down from there and I wonder what the effect is of getting the next box down checked instead of “most” despite the fact that the adcom can read the transcript for himself/herself. We have yet to meet with the college counselor and that is my top question, how that designation is determined.