How do high school rankings work

While one school might offer twelve AP classes, another might only have one or two. Using class rank, colleges can assess the degree to which students took advantage of the opportunities available to them. Want access to expert college guidance — for free? When you create your free CollegeVine account, you will find out your real admissions chances, build a best-fit school list, learn how to improve your profile, and get your questions answered by experts and peers—all for free.

Sign up for your CollegeVine account today to get a boost on your college journey. Get Started Now. What Is Class Rank? Understanding Weighted vs. Unweighted Class Rank If your teen asks their school for class rank information, they might receive two different numbers: an unweighted rank and a weighted rank.

When the admissions readers sit down and look at the applications, they analyze a number of factors: GPA, test scores, activities and honors, the personal statement for college, supplemental essays, letters of recommendation, course load, and yes, high school class rank. If your school does not have a class ranking system, the admissions officer will look at other factors that demonstrate academic ability.

How you perform within the context of your school is crucial. Ranking at the top of your class explicitly shows admissions officers that you are among the top academic performers in your class. For example, if five students from the same high school are all applying to Columbia ED, class rankings make it easy for the one admissions officer assigned to reading all five of these applications to tell which student is the strongest. They will be looking at how rigorous your curriculum is in comparison to your classmates, how your GPA compares, and whether or not you took advantage of the resources at your disposal.

Of course, high school class rank is not the only determining factor in college admissions decisions. But it is definitely a factor. Schools, especially at the highest level, are looking for the most talented, intellectually curious, and strong performing students. There is no formula or number that will guarantee admission except in Texas! But challenging yourself within the context of your school, and excelling, is important If you have a strong high school rank , you have a better chance of getting into top ranked colleges.

Good luck! Class rank was once a major component in admission decisions. Most small private and competitive high schools have done away with it because they feel it penalizes many excellent students who are squeezed out of the top 10 percent of the class and then overlooked by elite colleges. Although most public high schools still rank students, some now make it optional for students to report their rankings to colleges.

Due to the tremendous differences in curricula and grading standards at different high schools, many admission officers especially at selective private colleges have begun to discount the accuracy and importance of class rank as a factor in evaluating students.

Most large state universities, however, still require applicants to report class rank as do many scholarship programs and rely on it to help sort through the high volume of applications received. When considering the importance of class rank, it is helpful to look at some of the differences in the ways public and private colleges evaluate other aspects of student applications.

Selective private colleges tend to place more emphasis on personal statements and essays, teacher and counselor recommendations, leadership experience and the individual talents of applicants.

The bigger the college, the less emphasis it places on extracurricular activities, even though a student who juggles a full course load with part-time work or a major outside commitment is demonstrating the management and prioritizing skills that will be essential in college. For this type of student, a well-crafted essay can be a good place to point out strengths or track record in this regard.