Key Takeaways:
- A valedictorian is the student with the highest academic achievements in their graduating class.
- Valedictorians are generally determined by using unweighted GPA, weighted GPA, or class rank.
- To become a valedictorian, you’ll want plan early, study often, focus on academic rigor, and ask for help when needed.
Are you one of the highest scoring students in your high school? You might have a shot at becoming valedictorian. A valedictorian is the student with the highest academic achievement in their class. It’s not an easy feat, but it is possible to aim for it. To become a valedictorian, you have to start early, create a plan, focus on academic rigor, and know when to ask for help.
What is a Valedictorian?
A valedictorian is the student with the highest academic performance in their graduating class. It’s an honor for both high school and college students, and the individual will often be recognized at their graduation ceremony. They’re often asked to make a speech.
How a school determines the valedictorian depends on how they calculate GPA and valedictorian status. There are three different measurements they could use:
- unweighted GPA
- weighted GPA
- class rank.
Unweighted GPA is a grade point average that is on a 0-4 scale, with 4.0 being the highest you can earn. Weighted GPA is a grade point average that takes academic rigor into account, meaning you can get above a 4 if you take rigorous courses and score highly. Class rank refers to your placement according to your academic achievements against other students in your class.
If a school only uses unweighted GPAs, there may be several valedictorians in a class. If your high school uses weighted GPAs and class rank, there should only be one.
In short, to become a valedictorian, you need to earn the highest GPA out of your classmates and focus on academic rigor.
Do Colleges Care if You’re Valedictorian?
Becoming a valedictorian is a high honor and colleges will take note of your amazing achievement, but it doesn’t guarantee you a spot at any particular school. Most colleges care more about your overall profile and academic performance rather than if you were valedictorian or not. At the same time, being named valedictorian does show you have drive, determination, and commitment.
Colleges and universities that consider “Class Rank” important to admission will care more about valedictorian than others. One way to check that is with the Common Data Set. Colleges that complete this form will check off the most important factors that they look for in students’ applications. “Class Rank” is one of the options.
Keep in mind that your college application shouldn’t only be about your grades. Colleges want well rounded individuals, too. They want to see extracurriculars, volunteer work, and other experiences that showcase leadership and passion. If your goal of becoming valedictorian is keeping you from clubs, sports, volunteer work, and hobbies, it likely will be better for you to reevaluate your goal.
How to Become Valedictorian
If becoming valedictorian sounds like it’s for you or you want to give it your best shot, here are some tips!
1. Start Early
The earlier you start on your goal of being named valedictorian, the more likely it is to become a reality. The GPA that is used to determine the valedictorian isn’t just your senior year – it pulls from all four years of high school. If you did poorly in 9th grade, you might not be able to get high enough grades in later years to make up for it and beat out the other students.
Starting early also means you can be sure to select the right classes the following year.
2. Create a Plan
Before you can be named valedictorian, you need to know your school’s policies. How do they name a valedictorian? Do they use weighted GPA or unweighted? Is rank considered? Can there be more than one each year? This will help you understand what you need to aim for.
You also need a strategy for how you’re going to make the grades and sustain them. Here are some tips:
- Create a schedule for studying, homework, and assignments, allotting more time for the subjects you struggle with.
- Set goals. You have the “big” goal of becoming a valedictorian, but creating smaller, clear academic goals will help you stay on track. Assess your progress and adjust as needed. Creating S.M.A.R.T. goals is key.
- Stay organized using planners, calendars, and organized notes to stay on schedule and make studying easier.
- Work with a buddy to help you prepare for exams while also holding you accountable.
3. Focus on Academic Rigor
When high schools use weighted GPAs, advanced classes are worth more than standard classes. Taking advanced classes, such as AP or dual credit, is known as academic rigor. The more advanced classes you take, the more academic rigor you’re taking on. The better you do in these advanced classes, the higher your weighted GPA will be.
Colleges are also looking for academic rigor from students, too. A 4.0 with standard classes and electives is fantastic and an excellent achievement, but a 4.0 with academic rigor is even better. Colleges want to see you’re challenging yourself – and doing well in the face of those challenges.
4. Find Balance
It’s all too easy to run into stress and burnout if you do nothing but study for four years. Instead, it’s important to find balance between your studies, extracurriculars, personal time, and social time. Learning this skill now will pay off big time in college and after, too. If you find yourself facing a lot of stress, you know it’s time for a break. Eat healthy, get enough sleep, and make time doing stuff that is important to you and your mental health.
5. Ask for Help
It’s okay to ask for help. You don’t have to do it all on your own. If you have a question about a topic or you’re not understanding something, you can and should ask your teacher for extra help. Teachers are there to help you succeed, and they want to see you succeed. You can also ask your guidance counselor or adviser for help crafting your high school class schedule, especially if you’re going for academic rigor.
Is it Worth to Try to Become Valedictorian?
Trying to become valedictorian is tough and requires dedication. It’s not something you can likely aim for as you head into your senior year. There are benefits to it, though. Here’s a look at some of benefits and aspects you should consider if you want to make this academic achievement your goal:
The Pros of Being Named Valedictorian
One of the biggest, and most obvious benefits of being named valedictorian is you’ll have high grades. Even if you come up short of this honor, you’ll still have that high GPA and may even be named salutatorian, one step below valedictorian, which is still a huge honor.
Other benefits of being named valedictorian include:
- You develop good habits and skills. It takes discipline, time management, and a strong work ethic – all skills that can pay off in college and in the workplace after you graduate.
- Increased college admissions odds. Higher grades could mean a better chance of getting into your dream school, especially if your chosen college is highly competitive.
- Scholarships may come available. A higher GPA opens the door to merit scholarships and grants. You could become eligible for some niche awards by being named valedictorian.
- Recognition in your school and community. Your school will recognize you as valedictorian at the graduation ceremony and you will likely be asked to give a speech to your classmates. You can also put this achievement on your resume.
Downsides of Aiming for Valedictorian
Getting the top grades in your class requires a lot of work, dedication, and time. Those working to become a valedictorian could run in these potential drawbacks:
- They could feel higher levels of stress and pressure. Some students could become afraid of failure or set unrealistic expectations.
- There may be less time for social life or personal interests. Becoming valedictorian requires a lot of studying and could mean less time for social events, friends, and family.
- Limited long-term benefits. While it is a huge honor, there are few long lasting benefits. Being named valedictorian could slightly help you receive a college acceptance letter, but unless you’re opting for a highly competitive college, there isn’t necessarily a huge difference in acceptance chances if you rank slightly lower in your class instead. After you’re accepted to college, you can put it on your resume, but it will only go so far in helping you get the job.
- Financial cost. Some valedictorians use tutors or study aids to help them achieve their goals. Tutors can cost anywhere between $15 and $175 or more depending on the subject and tutor’s experience. Over four years, this can become very expensive.
Becoming a valedictorian is a high honor and an amazing achievement. At most schools, there is usually only one student per year. If you decide it’s for you, it’s important to create a plan, start early, and find balance, prioritizing your mental health. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, too, if you need it!
Colleges are looking for well rounded students, which includes your grades. Competitive colleges tend to want higher grades from their applicants. Want to see your admission chances to these competitive schools? Check out our College Match to see if you’re likely to get an acceptance letter!
