<p>I’m in the interesting (and frustrating) position of being in the top 12% of the class - about seven ranks short of the striven-after 90th percentile. Personally, I think that differentiates me from someone who is just barely in the top 25% of the class, but my question is, will colleges even consider this? Or will they arbitrarily separate the students in the 90th percentile as being of a different caliber than those in the 89th (or in my case, 88th) percentile and lower?</p>
<p>Since colleges report % in top 10%, clearly it’s a measure that matters. </p>
<p>When you look at a college that has 90% in the top 10%, the truth is that someone barely making 10% wouldn’t have gotten in either. The 10% that are not in the top 10% are bound to be seriously hooked.</p>
<p>Colleges will see that you’re in the top 12% if it’s reported on your transcript or on the GC recommendation. Granted, the top 10% is better than the top 12%, but not by much. If your curriculum is rigorous, then that would explain why you’re in the top 12% (but if you come from a pretty easy school, then there would have to be other factors that would help you get into the top tier).</p>
<p>Haha, the curriculum is rigorous, but it doesn’t explain my slacking off freshman year. I got Bs in Pre-IB English I and As in AP Lang/IB English HL. Though, granted, there’s also an upward GPA trend due to this, so I suppose that’ll help.</p>
<p>Some schools are obviously very into kids in the top 10%, like Lehigh. However, looking at alot of competitive LACs, you’ll notice that the % isn’t as high but the schools are still amazing. Lots of kids at Bard, for example, were top 11-15% so on College Board it only lists 67% in the top 10%.</p>
<p>Pardon my ignorance, but what does LAC stand for? And I already feel that I have a solid shot at some good schools, such as UF and Virginia Tech. But my dream school is Rice, and taking a look at CB, 83% of last year’s freshmen were in the top 10%, while only 12% in the top quarter, and 5% in the top half. Understandably, I’m a bit concerned.</p>
<p>LAC = Liberal Arts College</p>
<p>^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
LAC=Liberal Arts College</p>
<p>Obviously anecdotal evidence doesn’t count for much, but don’t lose faith just because of this. I got into Midd, where something like 85% of students are in the top 10%, with my top 12% class rank. And I am certainly not hooked. (standard non-legacy, non-athlete, upper middle class white guy).</p>
<p>You certainly have a chance.</p>
<p>If you go to a REALLY competitive high school, you can be in the top 30 percent and still have a great chance at any Ivy or whatever.</p>
<p>^ True. i.e. independent/prep schools in California, NY Metro Tri-state area, and Massachusetts (maybe some others as well that I don’t know as well)</p>