<p>spackler – among other things, what percentage go on to college, what percentage take AP/IB classes, average SAT/ACT scores, etc. A rigorous curriculum and highly academically competitive student body will make a top ranked student’s credentials look even more impressive. </p>
<p>That is not to diminish the application of a top-ranked student in a school that does not excel on college attendance/rigor indices, though. It can be just as impressive when a student has high stats despite such an academic setting. But, it does put into perspective that just being in the top 10% there may not indicate a likelihood of success at a school such as UVa.</p>