With college application deadlines upon them, seniors think about class rank more now than ever. For some soon-to-be graduates, getting into the Top 10 is a rare accomplishment that highlights all of the hard work, dedication, and discipline that students have displayed over the past four years.
“It’s a combination of staying on top of your grades and enjoying the work you’re doing,” Raj Ghosh, who is currently ranked #1, said. “I think that’s what it comes down to.”
Although each student has worked hard to achieve their placement, many myths and misconceptions about what graduating in the Top 10 actually means.
“Just because you have a high rank doesn’t mean you’re intelligent,” Kagan Akcelik, current #2, said. “At the end of the day it’s just a number.”
The mindset and behavior of the top students are also oftentimes misunderstood.
“A misconception is that the Top 10 are all naturally smart,” Nick Hartmann, current #5, said. “I stay up until 12 a.m.-1 a.m. studying for exams. I don’t naturally know everything.”
Other students may think that their high-ranking peers have no life outside of essays and presentations.
“We’re not psychopaths that only focus on school,” Caden Chi, current #9, said. “Spending time on hobbies is important as well as academics.”
These students somehow fit their personal fun into packed schedules while avoiding burnout due to lack of energy.
“I play violin for the school but I also enjoy learning pop songs on my own time,” Ghosh said. “Getting good sleep on Sunday gives me the energy to do the things I like throughout the week.”
Achieving their rank does come with numerous challenges for the students, especially in other aspects of their lives.
“Being in the Top 10 is really high pressure,” Rimsha Ali, current #4, said. “Working to maintain that while also having a social life and doing well in school isn’t easy.”
Extracurricular activities, specifically, are a challenge to balance with high grades, as they usually require copious amounts of time and brainpower.
“I work a job and I’m the president of two clubs,” Hartmann said. “I’m honestly still trying to figure out how I manage.”
Having a great support system plays an important role for the students.
“My parents wanting the best for me has automatically made me want to be better,” Ghosh said. “They worked hard so we should, too.”
As these scholars enter their final year, reflections over the past four years are bound to occur.
“My freshmen and sophomore years were a journey of trying to learn as much as possible,” Ghosh said. “My junior and senior years boiled down to doing as much as possible and trying to find out my place in the world.”
Although final ranking is announced near the beginning of the spring semester, Ghosh gives advice to the underclassmen.
“No one should focus on becoming Top 10,” Ghosh said. “There’s a lot to accomplish and focusing on what you want to do is way more important.”
