Replies

The people proposing this are complete idiots, but you are so right about the gamesmanship involved in the top ranks at large high schools. I graduated last year as Salutatorian (out of more than 600), losing by a few hundredths of a point (we use a 0-100 system instead of college style GPA). The guy who beat me took a bunch of basic level classes, instead of college level AP courses, so he had to do about half the work I did, but the joke is on him because it will take him four years to graduate college, and it will only take me 2.5 years (I am classified as a senior and I started in fall of 2002, but some of the hours don't apply to my degree). As for not having a social life, I was on the swim team, and in several clubs, and had time for fun outside of school also. I just got by with 5 hours of sleep per night. I worked harder last year than I am this year taking 18 hours in college (the maximum you are allowed to take without special permission from the dean), but it was still an incredibly fun year. Life is as fun as you make it.

Good for you!

I also graduated as Salutatorian (years and years ago), losing to the Valedictorian by a small fraction of a point. (We were also on a 0-100 system, which I think reflects greater accuracy of grades.) And I was also enrolled in several AP classes in my senior year, so I earned college credit. But in my case, so was the Valedictorian. In fact, all the higher achieving kids did the smart thing and took the more challenging classes. It was fair and square, and everyone was happy.

I think you're absolutely right... the joke IS on him. It really makes little sense to "strategize" yourself into a Valedictorian position by passing up on AP courses. This is something that is probably pretty obvious to a smart kid who's looking at the long term goal, but not so obvious to someone who is simply driven to win at any cost. Being a Valedictorian is a fleeting title that's gone as soon as you advance to the next level -- college.

So if you ask me, you made the smart choice, and you're better off for it. Congratulations!