Top of my class rank?

Question

Hello! My high school did away with class rank. Now we have Summa *** Laude, Magna *** Laude, *** laude, and the "rest".

I'm in Summa *** Laude. I''m thinking about applying at MIT or some IVY League school. They usually pick up people from the top 10%.

So my question is:
1. Is that a good rank? I don't know my exact number.

2. How will those colleges view it?

3. I have a 3.4 GPA, HOWEVER, when you add in my honors credit its closer to a 3.9), also my school has a weird system wherean 'A' starts at 92 and I have a bunch of 90's. How will they figure that out?

Answer 1

1. That is the best rank. ***-laude means with honor, magna-***-laude means with many honors, and summa-***-laude means with all honors.

2. Obviously being summa-***-laude will work in your favor, because it is the highest rank.

3. Most colleges are aware of the fact that an A or B at one school isn't the same as an A or B at another school. This is why SATs are required, since they are independent of your school's grading system. If your school has a reputation as a tough grader, or as having very challenging classes, then a 3.4 GPA won't hurt you as much.

By the way, while it is great to aim for MIT and ivy league, keep in mind that unless you have a family legacy, there is a very small chance of getting in, because they get way too many great students to pick from. Apply to them, but also look into other colleges that have great educations but are a little easier to get into.

Answer 2

Summa***laude means top 5%. And I agree with Khiry S.