What does quintile class rank mean?

I just got my class rank, and it's in the form of a quintile. Can someone please explain what a quintile class rank means and how it might affect my college applications? Are quintile ranks as important as numerical ranks?

A quintile class rank is a method of ranking students by dividing the class into five equal parts, or quintiles, rather than providing a specific numerical rank. Each quintile represents 20% of the students in the class. For example, students in the first quintile are in the top 20% of their class, and those in the fifth quintile are in the bottom 20%.

Quintile class ranks allow colleges to gauge a student's performance relative to their peers in a more general way. While numerical ranks can give a precise snapshot of where a student falls within their class, quintile ranks provide a broader perspective that places less emphasis on small differences in grades or achievement. Both types of ranks serve to contextualize a student's academic performance within their school environment.

As for how quintile ranks affect your college applications, colleges will still use this information to understand your standing within your class, taking into consideration the level of rigor and competitiveness of your school.

However, keep in mind that class rank is just one of many factors that colleges consider during the admissions process. Due to colleges using a holistic admissions approach, a lower quintile rank might not solely determine the outcome of an application if the rest of the application is strong.

While quintile class ranks might not be as specific as numerical ranks, they still provide valuable insight into a student's academic standing within their peer group. As with any aspect of a college application, it's essential to showcase your strengths and achievements to demonstrate that you would be a valuable addition to the college's incoming class.