Currents

Say Good-bye to Class Rank

Volume 5 / Issue 3 / Spring 2005

Nearly 40 percent of schools across the nation no longer use class rank. It seems to be losing value because of a variety of inequalities. In many cases, rank is decided by a minuscule margin. A student who finishes 75th in his or her class will not be as attractive to colleges as one who finishes 2nd, even though their grade-point averages may be only a tenth of a point apart. In addition, education quality varies considerably from school to school. Should a valedictorian at a high school with few rigorous courses share the same status as a valedictorian at a selective, academically demanding high school? At one time, class rank was the second most important determinant in the college admissions process; now it is the fourth. Many consider the shift a welcome change, because it means that colleges and universities are taking a closer look at the individual student, who is able to focus on learning rather than rank while in high school.