My school doesn't do class ranks, but some of the colleges I'm applying to ask for them. How do I handle that when filling out applications? Do I just leave it blank or should I contact the colleges to inform them of my situation?
It's not uncommon for schools to not report class ranks, so don't worry! Many colleges are aware of this, and their applications have been designed to accommodate students in your situation. Here's what you should do:
1. Leave it blank: If the college application has a field for class rank and your school doesn't provide one, you can simply leave the field blank. Admissions officers are used to seeing this and will understand.
2. Counselor's recommendation: Your school counselor will be providing a recommendation letter and/or school profile along with your application. They should indicate that your school does not rank students in these documents, which will help clarify the situation for college admissions officers.
3. Additional Information section: If you still feel the need to clarify, you can use the "Additional Information" section of the Common App (or the equivalent section in other application systems) to briefly explain that your school does not assign class ranks.
In summary, you don't need to contact the colleges directly. By leaving the field blank and having your school counselor provide the necessary information, the admissions officers will understand that your application is not missing important data, but rather that it is not applicable for your school.
Best of luck with your applications!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.