<p>^^ Colleges most certainly do consider the bar graphs provided by high schools, especially when trying to figure out a student’s ranking. (Colleges can also simply rank-order all the applications from a high school to obtain a ranking of student’s applying to the college.)</p>
<p>If you are not in the top 10% of your high school, schools like UVA and UPenn (where I know you are also applying) are high-reach schools for you. You should apply, but focus your thoughts and energies on schools that take a considerable amount (50%) of students with your ranking.</p>