A change in the way East Baton Rouge Parish schools compute class rank will affect how LSU views the applications of entering freshmen from the parish next year.
The class of 2004 will be the first class to graduate under this new system, implemented in 1999. And with more than 28 percent of the University’s students coming from East Baton Rouge in fall 2003, the change could affect a significant number of students applying to the University in 2004.
Before 1999, class rank in East Baton Rouge Parish schools was computed using quality points. Four points were awarded for an A, five for an A in an honors course, three for a B, four for a B in an honors course and so on. The quality points were divided by the number of classes a student took. Students were ranked according to the resulting number.
The change involves all the same steps, only quality points are no longer divided by the number of classes.
Because of the new policy, a student who takes more classes but receives lower grades can have a higher class rank than a student taking fewer classes who receives higher grades.
Many universities consider class rank in their admissions process, including LSU.
“Class rank is one of many factors that we take into consideration for a student’s admission,” said Cleve Brooks, director of the office of Undergraduate Admissions. There are nine other factors including standardized test scores, GPA and extracurricular involvement.
“As to how much weight [we give class rank], it really just depends on the student and how class rank fits in with the other criteria,” he said. “We review each student’s file holistically.”
David Corona, East Baton Rouge Parish assistant superintendent, said the new system won’t hurt students applying for LSU – it will help them.
“Any time a system has weighted grades, there’s no perfect way to rank students,” Corona, said. “But this system is more fair than the old one.”
Corona said the new system encourages students to take more courses. Seniors in East Baton Rouge public schools can take five courses instead of a full seven. Some of those students opt out of the extra classes for fear of hurting their GPAs and class ranks, he said.
“With the new system, they are not punished [for taking more classes] – they’re rewarded,” Corona said. “And they are better prepared for college.”
But it also can put students who do not have the resources to take additional classes at a disadvantage, he said.
“There may be students who need to work in the summers while other students can afford to take a calculus class at LSU,” he said. “The new method for computing class rank puts those students at a disadvantage.”
Daniel Nunes, a political science sophomore and graduate of Baton Rouge Magnet High, thinks the new system encourages students to take easier classes, he said.
“Baton Rouge High is very competitive, and students want to be ranked at the top of their class,” he said. “If they can take more classes, but easier classes, and get a higher rank, I think they will.”
Alex Chung, a senior at Baton Rouge Magnet High, is in the first graduating class to be affected by the policy.
“I just think what they’re doing doesn’t make any sense,” she said. “It places value on the quantity instead of the quality of classes you take.”
Chung said some students may take fewer classes, not because they are lazy, but because those classes are harder.
“They’re going to be hurt by this,” she said.
Corona said the school board was trying to create a more fair system for students.
Chung is worried that the change in class rank is going to affect some students’ position in universities.
“We’re a very academically focused school,” she said. “A lot of students here are going to be upset about this.”