Grade Inflation and Rank v. GPA in College Admissions

Applying to College
1

My school has a policy of allowing students to inflate their GPAs by taking six summer classes at our community college. I am not planning on taking summer classes as I am busy competing at a national forensics tournament and working. I am ranked fourth out of around 450 juniors, and I worry that my rank will drop below seventh if I do not spend the $100/class to take courses during the summer. My GPA (unweighted) is a 3.87/4.0, and everyone who would pass me would have a lower unweighted GPA (my GPA is third highest).

My question is: what matters more in college admissions, rank or GPA? I know that every school calculates both differently; however, I wonder if a GPA and test scores around a college’s 75th percentile or above would offset a low rank?

2

Depends on the college. At Texas public universities, rank is the most important factor in your high school record. At California public universities, rank is not considered except in specific circumstances which use a recalculated rank, not the one presented by your high school.

3

4 of 450 is in the top 1%. #8 of 450 is in the top 2%. I just don't see that this is a big deal.

4

Calling a rank in the top 1% as “low” comes across as disingenuous as best. If you get rejected from a college, it will not be due to a “low rank.”

5

As long as your rank stays within the top 5% or really the top 10%, you’re fine.

6

Unless you are a valedictorian hopeful, you’ll do fine.