Anonymous
Post 06/16/2025 20:29     Subject: Re:How much does valedictorian matter?
I think it matters little, similar to the way I think NMSF matters or AP Scholar with Distinction matters IF you're reporting your scores. Those things are offshoots of the scores themselves. If I put down NMSF and also put down a 1580, the NMSF isn't really providing new information. If I put down all AP scores of 5s, AP Scholar with Distinction is essentially duplicative information. If the school profile includes the GPA, knowing the kid was valedictorian is essentially a repeat of knowing the kid had a top GPA.

I do not think it adds anything, let alone be enough to overcome a lower test score or so so ECs.
Anonymous
Post 06/16/2025 19:50     Subject: How much does valedictorian matter?
Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all. Wants to study neuroscience and minor in creative writing. Working at BME lab at nearby hospital this summer.
The SAT score has been a major source of frustration. Hasn’t taken a class but maybe some tutoring this summer would help.
Really liked Wash U (esp the “ampersand” program), and was considering doing ED1 or 2 there, depending on Oct visits to northwestern, chicago, brown in the fall (saw these 3 when schools were not in session).


My DD got into Wash U TO. Good grades in IB but not valedictorian at top nj private. But no need for TO. DD had 32 ACT.
Anonymous
Post 06/16/2025 18:44     Subject: How much does valedictorian matter?
Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all. Wants to study neuroscience and minor in creative writing. Working at BME lab at nearby hospital this summer.
The SAT score has been a major source of frustration. Hasn’t taken a class but maybe some tutoring this summer would help.
Really liked Wash U (esp the “ampersand” program), and was considering doing ED1 or 2 there, depending on Oct visits to northwestern, chicago, brown in the fall (saw these 3 when schools were not in session).


A 1490 is fine for all these schools. Absolutely submit. A valedictorian from a top school with a 1490 will certainly get looked at - and will not be rejected because of the test score. If the kid wants to take another crack at it, maybe consider the ACT. Have them take a timed practice test and see how that goes. A 34 is good enough for everywhere. I think this student would have a very solid shot ED at Chicago and WashU - both great schools. Brown and Northwestern are a little tougher but certainly worth applying RD.
Anonymous
Post 06/16/2025 18:29     Subject: How much does valedictorian matter?
Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all. Wants to study neuroscience and minor in creative writing. Working at BME lab at nearby hospital this summer.
The SAT score has been a major source of frustration. Hasn’t taken a class but maybe some tutoring this summer would help.
Really liked Wash U (esp the “ampersand” program), and was considering doing ED1 or 2 there, depending on Oct visits to northwestern, chicago, brown in the fall (saw these 3 when schools were not in session).


I’m the TO poster; I really think you need to submit scores bc of that major. Do ECs align with that major?
Anonymous
Post 06/16/2025 18:26     Subject: How much does valedictorian matter?
Anonymous wrote:Valedictorian is determined at the end of senior year, so it doesn’t help with college applications. If your school officially doesn’t rank, you could include a description of the junior year prize for top student in the activities and awards section, but the school itself will not provide your daughter’s rank to colleges.


If the school profile includes the highest GPA for the senior class (as of whatever date the profile was created), and if the kid applying to college has that GPA on her transcript, then the college will assume the kid was at the top of the class.
Anonymous
Post 06/16/2025 18:14     Subject: How much does valedictorian matter?
Valedictorian is determined at the end of senior year, so it doesn’t help with college applications. If your school officially doesn’t rank, you could include a description of the junior year prize for top student in the activities and awards section, but the school itself will not provide your daughter’s rank to colleges.
Anonymous
Post 06/16/2025 17:59     Subject: Re:How much does valedictorian matter?
Has she taken the SAT? Or are you talking about practice tests? Did she take the PSAT?

IMO, the best thing to do is to look at the scores on the subsections of the SAT and PSAT. Maybe her scores are fairly equal across subsections, but many people do worse in one or two areas. If she focuses her efforts on those sections, she may be able to boost her scores.

Did she finish the math and verbal sections? If not, check to see where she got bogged down and then, when she takes the test, she should skip that section and leave it til last. Your score is based on how many questions you answer correctly, so finish as many questions as you can--even if this means you leave some questions in the middle of the test unanswered.
Anonymous
Post 06/16/2025 17:50     Subject: How much does valedictorian matter?
OP here. Thanks all. Wants to study neuroscience and minor in creative writing. Working at BME lab at nearby hospital this summer.
The SAT score has been a major source of frustration. Hasn’t taken a class but maybe some tutoring this summer would help.
Really liked Wash U (esp the “ampersand” program), and was considering doing ED1 or 2 there, depending on Oct visits to northwestern, chicago, brown in the fall (saw these 3 when schools were not in session).
Anonymous
Post 06/16/2025 17:14     Subject: How much does valedictorian matter?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:DC is at a single sex school outside DMV. School is considered “best” in city, one of “best” in state, and usually makes the lists of 100 best private schools (I put little stock in these rankings - just trying to provide some context). While school does not officially rank, special awards are given to kids who are 1st and 2nd in class at end of junior year. DC is 1st (happy surprise) based on weighted gpa. Has highest rigor.
Will likely be NMSF. Cannot get sat above 1500. Normal ECs- 2 varsity sports, an “academic” club with local awards, student council position.

How much does 1st in class help? Or is it irrelevant? Does it offset ECs and 1490? Are Brown, Northwestern, Chicago possible ED?

Thanks so much.


i would check their cds, if ranking is important to those schools then it will help a lot. if they are still TO, don't submit scores


Rank is of limited importance because many schools no longer rank. Val is a very nice award, especially from a tough school.

PPs advice to go TO is terrible advice. Coming from a school like the one that you described nobody is really TO. Your kid will be measured against other kids from your school who who applied and if she is the Val and applying TO everyone knows why she is TO. Try to improve the test but if she cannot submit it anyway.


Doesn't it depend on the major? If a humanities major, they will assume the lower score is math, and not think about it further at TRUE TO schools (e.g., Columbia, UChicago, Vanderbilt, WashU). But if a STEM major, you MUST submit. No doubt.

Major really matters for test scores.
Anonymous
Post 06/16/2025 17:10     Subject: How much does valedictorian matter?
Niece is valedictorian but did not get into her T50 ranked state flagship. So i guess not that much. She did apply to a more difficult major, though
Anonymous
Post 06/16/2025 17:07     Subject: How much does valedictorian matter?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:DC is at a single sex school outside DMV. School is considered “best” in city, one of “best” in state, and usually makes the lists of 100 best private schools (I put little stock in these rankings - just trying to provide some context). While school does not officially rank, special awards are given to kids who are 1st and 2nd in class at end of junior year. DC is 1st (happy surprise) based on weighted gpa. Has highest rigor.
Will likely be NMSF. Cannot get sat above 1500. Normal ECs- 2 varsity sports, an “academic” club with local awards, student council position.

How much does 1st in class help? Or is it irrelevant? Does it offset ECs and 1490? Are Brown, Northwestern, Chicago possible ED?

Thanks so much.


i would check their cds, if ranking is important to those schools then it will help a lot. if they are still TO, don't submit scores


Rank is of limited importance because many schools no longer rank. Val is a very nice award, especially from a tough school.

PPs advice to go TO is terrible advice. Coming from a school like the one that you described nobody is really TO. Your kid will be measured against other kids from your school who who applied and if she is the Val and applying TO everyone knows why she is TO. Try to improve the test but if she cannot submit it anyway.
Anonymous
Post 06/16/2025 17:00     Subject: How much does valedictorian matter?
It really depends. That test score though, may cause issues. I'd list the award on the Honors, and go test-optional. Is your kid class president as well? What are they doing this summer (if not much, try and beef that up to align with major).

Look at your Naviance. Any legacies or hooked kids applying to Brown or Northwestern from your private? How many do they usually admit from your HS? Which is a better fit for your kid? What major?

Save Chicago for ED2.
Anonymous
Post 06/16/2025 16:27     Subject: How much does valedictorian matter?
100% depends on your school. For us top 50% is all that matters for t20, but that changes depending on the high school
Anonymous
Post 06/16/2025 16:22     Subject: How much does valedictorian matter?
Anonymous wrote:DC is at a single sex school outside DMV. School is considered “best” in city, one of “best” in state, and usually makes the lists of 100 best private schools (I put little stock in these rankings - just trying to provide some context). While school does not officially rank, special awards are given to kids who are 1st and 2nd in class at end of junior year. DC is 1st (happy surprise) based on weighted gpa. Has highest rigor.
Will likely be NMSF. Cannot get sat above 1500. Normal ECs- 2 varsity sports, an “academic” club with local awards, student council position.

How much does 1st in class help? Or is it irrelevant? Does it offset ECs and 1490? Are Brown, Northwestern, Chicago possible ED?

Thanks so much.


i would check their cds, if ranking is important to those schools then it will help a lot. if they are still TO, don't submit scores
Anonymous
Post 06/16/2025 16:08     Subject: How much does valedictorian matter?
DC is at a single sex school outside DMV. School is considered “best” in city, one of “best” in state, and usually makes the lists of 100 best private schools (I put little stock in these rankings - just trying to provide some context). While school does not officially rank, special awards are given to kids who are 1st and 2nd in class at end of junior year. DC is 1st (happy surprise) based on weighted gpa. Has highest rigor.
Will likely be NMSF. Cannot get sat above 1500. Normal ECs- 2 varsity sports, an “academic” club with local awards, student council position.

How much does 1st in class help? Or is it irrelevant? Does it offset ECs and 1490? Are Brown, Northwestern, Chicago possible ED?

Thanks so much.