Why is rank so important?

Colleges & Universities Northwestern University
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<p>**apologies for this long post, you can feel free to skim:)</p>

<p>When I first joined CC I put up a chance thread and most of my choices were considered very high reaches. This didn’t bother me as much as the fact that this decision was based almost entirely on my rank. </p>

<p>Why is this such a huge deciding factor to the CC community? You can be extremely smart but be ranked low because you are surrounded by other above average students.</p>

<p>I’m wanted to repost this and ask for my chances to Northwestern, but give a little background so ppl would understand why my rank is so, apparently, low.</p>

<p>I’m an African american, and one of the only black people in my AP and honors classes. I’m the highest ranking african american student in the senior class (I say this because There is only 1 other black student that has taklen as many AP and honors classes as I and I know my grades are higher). I don’t mean to sound pompous or entitled, but it’s just so hard to have so many disadvantages, still try your hardest, and be constantly told by everyone that your not good enough to get into a really good school. </p>

<p>I’m staring to sound whiny, which is not why I’m asking this, but I just wanted some honest opinions, advice and of course, chances. haha. </p>

<p>This has affected my mentality so much that I’ve actually decided to write my personal statement on it. I don’t want to be that kid who uses the race card, but in this situation it seems justified. I never mentioned my race or my home situation at school b/c I didn’t want peopl to know me as the smart black girl, just the smart, nice funny girl who loves to be around people.</p>

<p>But ok, anyway, here are my stats. If you chance me Ill prob love you haha.</p>

<p>SAT: (first time, no studying) 1940 (will retake in Oct. for a 2150?)
GPA: UW 3.8 W 4.2 (out of possible 4.4or5)
Rank: 65 out of 509 (12.7%) Trying to be in top 10% though
Ethnicity: African-American
State: Illinois</p>

<p>Voices in Action (volunteer group)- Co-President & Founder; (9-12)
Student Council- Vice President; (11) President; (12)
Student Ambassador- (11-12)
O Ambassadors- President; (10-12)
Skyline (Newspaper)- Editor; (12)
CIVITAS (Social Studies Honor Society) - (11-12)
NHS (National Honor Society)- (11-12)
New Beginnings- (11-12)
Philosophy club- (11-12)
Directing tours for incoming freshman (11)
Mu Alpha Theta (Math Honor Society)- (11-12)
200+ volunteer hours
Humanitarian award
AP Scholar with Distinction</p>

<p>I have also done a lot of work with UNICEF, Free the Children, Me to We, and Green America. I organized a volunteer event and oversaw over 75 participants and volunteers. I’ve attended volunteer leader events and meeteings as well. Additionally, I’ve been invited to Leadership conferences, People to People Ambassadors, and Writing programs, but was unable to addent due to finances. haha but anyway yeah thats it</p>

<p>Schedule for senior year:
AP Statistics
AP Biology
AP English: Literature & Composotion
PE Leaders Gym
Class Piano
AP U.S. Government
AP Spanish
Public Speaking and Communications</p>

<p>Previous AP Classes and Scores: (sad though, NU won’t take any of theses haha, oh well)
Us history-3
Psychology-4
English:Lang and Comp- 4
Microeconomics- 4
Macroeconomics- 4</p>

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<p>Well all i can say is life is tough, and to get over it. I dont want to sound mean, but everyone that applies to top schools tried really hard and got good grades, and many wont get in. You need to get over the race thing, nobody cares if you are black. I am the highest ranking white student at my school, but nobody cares. </p>

<p>THere is no point in listening to anybodys opinion. Just do your best and apply everywhere you wanna go. Good luck</p>

3

<p>I agree that you should apply to any school that interests you! You are an URM–therefore colleges actually do care if you are black! Study hard to bring up your SAT some and you’ll do great :slight_smile: You seem like a strong candidate.</p>

4

<p>Hi imi928~
In reviewing previous posts under NU, I think almost everyone was talking about your SAT scores more than rank. You know enough by researching NU, where your stats fall within the admitted and matriculated students.
Your transcripts/courses selected, and AP test scores are within range. The SAT scores seem on the low end:based on Fiske-CR:670-750, M 690-780.The rank is on the outside of the norm-based on CC discussions. People on CC are trying to gage the likelihood of your acceptance, so trends are what we work with. From there we share our assessment.
Is that the end-all be-all as to whether you will be accepted…not in this environment of tough choices that even people CC might access as “you are a shoe-in”–but still do not get offered a spot in the Class of 2015. If you feel NU offers you the courses, the environ and the eventual degree in your choice of study-then apply. You may just get accepted!
G’Luck-APOL-a Mum</p>

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<p>Your rank is not a problem. Your SAT score is.</p>

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<p>I understand that my SAT score needs some work. And I am working on it. Very much so.</p>

<p>Besides that, the general consensus is that I shuld be in the top 10%. Not only for NU, but for most of the other colleges I’m applying to as well. I’m honestly not trying to sound like a baby, sorry if it comes off that way.</p>

<p>I’m mainly just asking, regardless of rank, if I can get my SAT to a 2100+ would I have a solid chance at NU and other like universities?</p>

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<p>@mccormickt12. I’m moving on with my life. But at the age of 17, and where I grew up race was/kinda still is a big thing, so its not something to get over so easily. Being the #1 white kid is not very similar to my situation.</p>

<p>But thanks for the advice and good wishes:)</p>

8

<p>It’s the admissions committees that care so much about race. With your scores you will probably be admitted to many of the top 15 schools. If you can get your SAT up a bit higher you are likely to get admitted to one or two of the very top five schools. Today 40% of the black students accepted by the ivies are foreign students. Good luck.</p>

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<p>Perhaps. As an African American, you have more wiggle room- simple fact of the matter. Hard to say for sure, but I would guess yes, with a 2100+ you’d have a very good shot.</p>

<p>And ignore the rank people- I was top 18% of my class (we technically didn’t rank) and I got in fine. Rank is virtually meaningless- a girl I tutored in math and who couldn’t break a 2000 on the SAT ended up Quinnipiac and was in the Cum Laude Society (top 10%) of my HS. That was one of the best schools in the country, but you get the point.</p>

<p>Don’t have a complex about not being in the top 10%- it’s over stressed here.</p>

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<p>Thanks guys. I honestly was getting a complex. All the college stuff is a big thing right now. I’m working on my scores, my essyas, my apps and sometimes its just…yeah. I talked to my counselor and a couple others. I’m just gonna do everything I need to do, send it in, and just see what happens. I refuse to freak out about any specific aspect of my application anymore. Go w/ the flow. Thanks again!</p>

11

<p>i’m no expert but i think you have a good chance at NU</p>

12

<p>I think you have a decent chance of getting in, especially if your SAT score goes up. Use your essays to communicate your personal qualities. I especially would be interested in learning more about the volunteer event you coordinated.
I would caution against writing your personal statement about a pet peeve, or about opinions of people on this board about class rank, or any topic that is essentially a negative one in your head. It is just too easy to sound whiny, or competitive, or argumentative. I would instead write an essay about an event or a “moment” that shows your great personal qualities, and is positive, and shows you are self-aware.</p>

<p>You say you see yourself as a smart, nice funny girl. That is what your essay should reflect. </p>

<p>You have a lot to offer. Best of luck to you.</p>