<p>I’m in a bit of an odd situation… I believe I have done everything I can to get into a top school. (34 ACT, AP Scholar with Honor, most rigorous course load, all-state band, founder of clubs, etc.) but there is one thing that I fear is going to hold me back. </p>
<p>My class rank is currently 17/135. However, freshman and sophomore year I had some pretty extensive family problems that put me under a lot of stress. Freshman year my father was on drugs (my mom died when I was 12), and just before my sophomore year he was arrested for drug possession. He was in jail for literally all of my sophomore year. My counselor knows this and she wrote in all of her recommendations that my class rank and GPA does not accurately reflect my ability. In addition, I have a huge upward grade trend after sophomore year to support this. My class rank was 33 at the end of sophomore year, and rose to 17 after junior year. I expect it to rise even more after I get my class rank in January because I have made the highest grades in my class in Calculus and English.</p>
<p>If anyone could comment on this that would be great… I’m applying to schools like Notre Dame, Duke, Northwestern but I am afraid that I’m just not going to get in because my class rank is holding me back. I was accepted to BC Honors, and I want to know if I should get in the mindset of attending.</p>
<p>a class rank of 17 isn’t bad at all. I don’t know how much a note will help, but you could probably get into those schools without a note from your counselor.</p>
<p>A note probably will help, especially given the situation. Schools tend to look at the whole person and the upward trend shows off your ability more than a number. If you are worried, call the admissions offices at the schools you are looking at, and ask them.</p>
<p>The note should help, some school are very percentage-picky, I know Notre Dame likes to admit students usually within the top 5 % of their class and NU and Duke will look at it. I’d say your reason, however, is valid and so definately have your GC explain. Don’t get in the mindset of attending BC— wait until April, you never know. :)</p>
<p>They will def. look at that letter. It will help and probably counteract, that is why they want all those letters, to make sure they get all of the details and be able to place your rank into a bigger picture. Don’t worry and just do your part, that is all you can control!</p>
<p>I hate to be the one to bring something negative to the picture, but the more I read CC the more I believe a very significant percentage of applicants have an excuse for something they want overlooked. It makes me really wonder just how colleges do handle such situations.</p>
<p>Certainly having a counselor explain is far superior to explaining yourself. But when they are overwhelmed with applications from kids with all the goods they can not accept, it is hard to believe they parse the applications with excuses looking for unfulfilled potential. The schools you list accept very few who were not in the top 10% of their class. At schools like ND and Duke I have to believe most of those play basketball!</p>
<p>I would be certain to also apply to schools where you have a good chance with existing stats.</p>
<p>Your guess is as good as mine, please let us know what happens.</p>
<p>Well I’ve already been accepted to BC and University of Texas, so if I don’t get into one of my dream schools I’ll attend one of the two. Yes, the stats you mention hmom are the ones that discourage me so much… at most of these top schools, 85-90 percent of the class was in the top 10% in high school. Hopefully after this semester I will be in the top 10% and I can report it in my mid-year report! </p>
<p>Thanks for all the comments everyone, I will keep checking this thread for your comments and advice.</p>
<p>It is all about context guys. Kids here sem to think top 10% is the magivc number at ivies. It really is not when you take a close look at the stats. At Dartmouth, a mid tier ivy, 40% of those ranked accepted last year were number 1 or 2 in their class. That leaves VERY few without a hook and not close to the top getting in. </p>
<p>There are too many myths at work on threads like this without enough attention to the actual stats.</p>