How important are class ranks for the candidate questionaire? My school does not factor in weighted GPAs in their ranking and they don't even list it our transcripts. It's quite a competitive school and ranked Top 50 in California. My current GPA is 3.70 non-weighted and class rank is 291 out of 814 (~36%). My school does not record and/or calculate weighted gpas as well.
Questions about Candidate Questionaire
- Thread starter rjy84
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They typically take your class rank and school profile and develop a score (Gpa) that is used as your score for the academy. They may weight as they do this. It is a black box that no one outside of admissions understands. They want to see that you did well in the more challenging classes. With that explanation, you can only worry about things you can control. Keep doing well in challenging classes. Study for the ACT/SAT. Train for the CFA. Seek out leadership opportunities.
MidwestDad
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DS' HS did not calculate rank at all; we left this blank. The SAs use past years' HS class profiles to normalize your class rank based on GPA and SAT scores.
Most HSs report historical class profiles [blind - no identities] with GPA vs rank so colleges can judge class rank percentiles this way.
Load up on AP classes and as already stated find opportunities in athletics / civic leadership roles. Top 1/3 in a competitive district is not bad but keep striving to distinguish yourself. Don't forget you need to get thru the MOC nomination hurdle before admissions worries about your rank; study up on your MOCs application checklist including rqd. letters of recommendation.
Most HSs report historical class profiles [blind - no identities] with GPA vs rank so colleges can judge class rank percentiles this way.
Load up on AP classes and as already stated find opportunities in athletics / civic leadership roles. Top 1/3 in a competitive district is not bad but keep striving to distinguish yourself. Don't forget you need to get thru the MOC nomination hurdle before admissions worries about your rank; study up on your MOCs application checklist including rqd. letters of recommendation.
What other people are saying is true. However, I heard that class rank is 30% of your application as far as academics. My school uses a decile system which puts me at a disadvantage as well, but from what I understand they may recalculate class rank somehow. If you don't put class rank, it makes SAT/ACT 60% of your application score, so I'd be wary of doing this but if you got a really good score then maybe it'd help actually.
Spartan917
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Is class rank a required part of your app. if you have it? For example if you have strong SAT/ACT scores and not as stellar class rank is that a viable option or frowned upon?
USMAROTCFamily
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No, you do not have a choice on this.
If your school doesn't rank, then you don't have to put it. But if it does, you do. It'd be like leaving your physics grade out of your transcript. If you didn't take physics, well then obviously you wouldn't have it, but if you did and just don't like your grade, you can't leave it off.
MidwestDad
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Most schools that rank print it on the official transcript. Our HS used to disclose rank 'on request only' so it was not on the transcript but could be provided under separate cover. Now they don't rank at all - another public education disappointment.
They will request the information from your school and deal with whatever the school releases.
As you move further through the process, one of the items on your your application will be school transcript and profile. You add your school's point of contact and then the academy deals directly with the school.
As you move further through the process, one of the items on your your application will be school transcript and profile. You add your school's point of contact and then the academy deals directly with the school.
As others have mentioned, what your transcript states matter. Very simple, if your school doesn't release class rank, SAT/ACT factors heavily into your academic evaluation. There is nothing unfair about weighted vs unweighted GPA as there is no way to determine if how your school determined what course should could carry more value is class ranking is fair.