High School Class Rank & GPA

[Melitzank]

My high school doesn`t even rank anymore, so I can`t really give specifics as far as how I rank, but I realize USNA takes into account the competitiveness of your high school. My high school is....not competitive at all. Only about 29% attend a 4-year university out of high school. I`m going to take a wild guess and say I`m (This is an extreme rough estimate, as I have no idea) ranked maybe somewhere between 100-150 out of about 450 students.

"So why aren`t you in the top 25, at least?" Good question.

Last year, I didn`t try as hard as I should have, and have a 3.5 unweighted, 3.7 weighted GPA, which isn`t terrible, but not as good as I could have done. But I`m planning on getting straight A`s through the rest of high school with about 4 or so other APs (excluding the AP class I`m taking now). So, I`m thinking that if I work extremely hard, by junior or senior year, I`ll be in the top 80. I must say though only 29% go to 4 year colleges in the past, my class of 2015 is pretty smart, and I`d say that there`s 100 or so of us that are extremely smart. (But still, about 300 don`t come close to a 3.0)

My question is, do they take into account some of the other students who have a different....I guess I could say, situation than me. See, there`s about 15 kids in my class that are extremely smart in math and science and attend this program called Governor`s School. They go to a different school in the morning (the only school that has the program in 50 miles, so they get bused over) and take very high level math and science classes. These are sophomores taking Pre-Calc, physics, and specialty science and math classes that could not be found at your average high school. Then they come to the high school and take 2 other "regular" classes, or AP classes. So, these are not average smart students. Extremely gifted students. For every Gov School class they take, they get an extra quality point added to their GPA, much like AP. So, while some sophomores have an above 4.0 GPA, these students have an above 4.5 GPA, and it`s only going to keep growing as they take more classes.

So with that background information in mind, will USNA see that while the majority of my class isn`t very smart, there`s 100 or so who are, and another 15 or so who have GPA`s that really can`t be achieved unless you`re in Gov School? Some of these students will have above 5.0 GPAs, and I`ll maybe have a 4.2 or 4.3.

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While I`ve got you reading this, you might as well answer another question for me.

My school doesn`t allow freshman to take AP classes. So, instead, we have the option of taking T/A classes. They actually weren`t hard at all, but they are meant to be a challenge. We get .5 added on to our GPA for each one we take. I took T/A classes for every subject I could (Math, English, Science, and History). So, will USNA see these classes as like Honors, or something? They`re not common, and I`ve never heard of them in any other school, but they`re meant for people who are "interested in pursuing a college path after graduation for high school". That`s what the handbook says. So how will USNA view them? I`m also taking them in Science and English again this year, as I didn`t have enough room in my schedule to take an AP science, and can`t take AP English until 11th. I know that taking T/A won`t affect me negatively, but will they just be seen as "normal" classes, or more advanced?

All help is much appreciated, thank you!

[nuensis]

If your high school really doesn't rank, your SAT score will be compared to the national averages instead.

USNA will recalculate the value of your GPA based on the school profile provided by your guidance counselor. Most universities, USNA included, realize that a 4.0 at one school may be very different than a 4.0 at another.

I came from a high school with a very low college attendance rate as well. If you are a good student, it will still show through your grades, SAT scores, or teacher recommendations if not by your class ranking. Don't fret about it.

Can't answer the second question; I'd standby for a BGO's post.

[Melitzank]

Thank you very much, neunsis. That was very helpful. I`m confident I can get some excellent teacher recommendations.

[Whistle Pig]

The critical "mega" lesson for USNA wannabees that flies in the face of more and more HSs thay shy away from rating and ranking students because of PC and school boards determined that everyone should be their own valedictorian, all are super ... when they are anything but ... At USNA EVERYONE is ranked in virtually EVERYWAY. Sometimes it's fair, sometimes it's a gift, sometimes it really stinks, for as in God's wisdom, the Admiral and his charges sometimes give and sometimes take away. But it is a 4 year long competition that doesn't change once one gets to the Fleet, nuke school, flight training, and on and on and on. A way of life, that will forever change any mythological, mamby-pamby conception that everyone should get a trophy beyond a sheepskin and commission calling to service and lead. Leading by its very nature implies a rank ordering. Get used to it.

And the conceptual irony in all of this is building individuals to establish a sense of team built on merit, roles, and commitment to the cause and the big pic.

[Melitzank]

After reading that, I felt like I had to reply with a , "Sir, yes SIR!"

Thank you, Whistle Pig!

[parkhurst89]

Underclassmen not allowed to take AP classes is a norm. Not a problem. Take any advanced classes that give your GPA a boost. It will never hurt. Refer to this Admissions Page for good advice on course selection.

I would not worry about your HS policies on ranking. The Admission Board is pretty good at determining how you rank compared to all candidates. Remember, you are ranked morally, mentally, physically.

[Melitzank]

Thank you, I appreciate the advice and information.