Is it good to be in the top 10 of your class?

Asked by: Mrs. Eugenia Bernier  |  Last update: December 14, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (10 votes)

If you want to attend a more competitive college, you should aim to have a class rank that puts you in the top 25% of your class, or the 75th or higher percentile. For Ivy League and other top tier schools, a class rank in the top 10% or 5% is a good goal to aim for.

Is top 10 class rank good?

A ``good'' class rank, roughly speaking, is anywhere in the top 10%. You have a good rank. Mine is like 2 or 3 out of 450. I think schools aren't very bothered about it, as long as it's high. If it's too low then it might be a concern.

Is it good to be in the top 10%?

Graduating in the top ten percent of your class can significantly enhance your chances of being accepted to college. Here are some reasons why: Academic Performance: Being in the top ten percent indicates strong academic performance, which is a key factor in college admissions.

What does top 10% of the class mean?

For example, if your grade has 100 students, and your GPA is better than 90 of them, then you are ranked number 10, and you're in the top 10 percent of your graduating class. It's important to note that class rank is evaluated multiple times throughout a student's high school career.

What GPA is top 10% of class?

GPA-NB considers a cumulative unweighted grade point average (UGPA) of 3.9 to qualify a student for graduation in the “Top 10%” of their graduating class. Additionally, we consider a cumulative unweighted grade point average (UGPA) of 3.6 to qualify a student for graduation in the “Top 25%” of their graduating class.

how to get ahead of 99% of students

40 related questions found

Is top 5% of your class good?

In the context of Ivy League schools, like Yale and Harvard, a good class rank is typically one that places a student within the top 5-10% of their graduating class.

Is a 2.7 GPA good in 10th grade?

Is a 2.7 GPA in high school considered good? Based on the number of colleges a 2.7 GPA makes you eligible for, it's only a so-so GPA. The average high school student graduates with a 3.0 GPA, which offers eligibility at a wide range of colleges, making it ideal for students looking to continue their education.

Is top 20% of class good?

Being in the top 20% of your class is generally considered a strong position, but its importance depends on the specific school to which you're applying and the relative competitiveness of your high school.

What grade is valedictorian?

The valedictorian shall be the student with the highest grade point average as computed at the end of the eighth semester of the senior year.

What does top of the 10th mean?

If the home team would have to come up to bat and try to score and they fail, then the game can go into what's called “Extra Innings” and starts at the top of the 10th, in which case the game can go on as long as it takes until a team wins the game.

Is top 10% rich?

Individuals in the top 10% earn at least six figures annually. In some areas, those in the top 1% must make over $1 million per year, while in others, the threshold is lower. Both the earnings and wealth of top earners have increased in recent decades.

How to be top 10 in high school?

Nine Tips for Getting Better Grades in High School
  1. Do Your Homework. It sounds obvious, doesn't it? ...
  2. Participate in Class. ...
  3. Take Good Notes in Class. ...
  4. Don't Hesitate to Ask for Help. ...
  5. Keep Yourself Motivated. ...
  6. Create a Study Schedule. ...
  7. Remove Distractions. ...
  8. Don't Study Alone.

What are top 10 lists?

A top ten list is a list of the ten highest-ranking items of a given category.

Is being in the top 10% good?

For highly selective institutions, targeting a class rank in the top 5–10% is always a good idea if you're up to the challenge, as it will strengthen your application.

Is a 3.8 GPA good?

A 3.8 GPA is a Grade Point Average of 3.8 on a 4.0 scale. It indicates that you've earned a predominantly A average in your courses. A 3.8 GPA is considered to be a very good GPA and is often an indicator of strong academic performance.

What class rank is impressive?

If you want to attend a more competitive college, you should aim to have a class rank that puts you in the top 25% of your class, or the 75th or higher percentile. For Ivy League and other top tier schools, a class rank in the top 10% or 5% is a good goal to aim for.

Is a 4.0 GPA valedictorian?

The title of valedictorian is used to distinguish indivduals who have achieved the highest level of academic excellence. Students who earn an unweighted 4.0 GPA, through the seventh semester of high school, will receive valedictorian designation.

What is top 10% of graduating class?

Your school may also report your percentile: whether you are in the top 5 percent, top 10 percent, top 25 percent, and so on. If you're in the top 10 percent, your GPA is higher than the GPA of 90 percent of your classmates.

What is the highest GPA?

GPA is calculated by translating letter grades onto a numerical scale that typically ranges from 0.0-4.0.

Is a 3.3 GPA good?

Is a 3.3 GPA Good? Because a 3.3 GPA is on the cusp of a B+ average, it indicates good performance in all classes with a consistently positive record on tests and homework assignments.

Do colleges care if you are valedictorian?

While being valedictorian can boost your admission chances, being top-ranked isn't always necessary for acceptance into top schools.

Is 90% in a class good?

With the number of valedictorians increasing each year, grades become more competitive. Survey finds that 75 percent of students consider 90+ a good grade.

Is a 1.7 GPA good?

A 1.7 GPA is considered low and will present challenges when it comes to college admissions. Most colleges and universities have a minimum GPA requirement for admission, which is typically around a 2.0 or higher. However, there are still options available to you.

Is a 2.5 GPA bad for a sophomore?

Sophomore: To summarize this article's material, a 2.5 GPA as a sophomore isn't a problem, but it will significantly limit your college search if it doesn't improve before senior year. You still have the rest of your junior year to raise your GPA, so make the most of it.