This is why class valedictorians don't become millionaires (2024)

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This is why class valedictorians don't become millionaires? ›

And, while many of those graduates have poured their blood, sweat and tears into getting perfect grades (like the valedictorian), one author says that motivation may not turn into success—or lots of cash—in the real world. “They do well, but they don't go on to change the world or lead the world.

“Valedictorians aren't likely to be the future's visionaries,” says Arnold. “They typically settle into the system instead of shaking it up.” Many valedictorians themselves believe that they weren't the smartest student in their class but rather simply the hardest worker.

"But how many of these number-one high-school performers go on to change the world, run the world, or impress the world?" Eric Barker says in his new book, "Barking Up the Wrong Tree," which cites the research. "The answer seems to be clear: zero."

Being valedictorian can definitely help your chances, especially at schools with low acceptance rates. But in these cases, being valedictorian isn't necessarily required to get into a top school. Exceptional academic performance is required, but oftentimes you don't have to be exactly #1.

The world's richest person, Jeff Bezos, was valedictorian of his high school. Many successful people attend private schools or highly selective public schools without valedictorians.

According to the book “The Millionaire Mind,” the average college GPA of a millionaire was 2.9. They found no statistical correlation between economic productivity and academic performance. “Smarter” people tend to take less risk.

In addition to the two dozen billionaires who have only a high school degree, there are three billionaires who never even got a diploma: former hairdresser and founder of OGX hair care products Todd Christopher, cable TV pioneer Alan Gerry and Dole Foods' David Murdock.

Steve Jobs had a high school GPA of only 2.65.

Most schools in the US use a 4.0 unweighted GPA scale, where an A (90-100%) is worth 4.0 points, a B (80-89%) is worth 3.0 points, and so on. In this case, valedictorians usually have GPAs very close to 4.0, but they might not always have a perfect 4.0 due to minor variations in grading.

No, your child does not need to be valedictorian or receive a perfect 4.0 GPA or 1600 on their SAT for admission into Ivy League colleges. However, numbers-wise, grades should be up there. GPA is the first filter admissions folks use to weed out the less qualified candidates. For the GPA, a 3.8 or above is the norm.

Do colleges care if you are valedictorian? ›

Still, as we mentioned, you will most likely find that the requirements are top 5% or 10% (not necessarily Valedictorian or Salutatorian.) Still, some students can automatically receive scholarships from specific colleges and universities for being Valedictorian or Salutatorian.

As stated in the book: “There is little debate that high school success predicted college success. Nearly 90 percent [of valedictorians followed in one study] are now in professional careers with 40 percent in the highest tier jobs.

Summa cum laude is the highest level of distinction, magna cum laude is next and that is followed by cum laude. It is a great honor to be named valedictorian or salutatorian, and it is an honor worth celebrating at graduation and beyond.

Duke University is the No. 16 university in the world for producing billionaires, according to a report from international wealth research firm Wealth-X. Duke has nine billionaire undergraduate alumni, according to the report. Sixteen of the top 20 universities for producing the super-rich are in the U.S.

The salutatorian is ranked second in the class, right after the valedictorian. Salutatorians deliver the salutation, or the opening speech of the graduation ceremony. Some schools also use terms like summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude to designate high-achieving students.

“There is little debate that high school success predicted college success. Nearly 90 percent [of valedictorians followed in one study] are now in professional careers with 40 percent in the highest tier jobs. They are reliable, consistent, and well-adjusted, and by all measures the majority have good lives.

Most schools in the US use a 4.0 unweighted GPA scale, where an A (90-100%) is worth 4.0 points, a B (80-89%) is worth 3.0 points, and so on. In this case, valedictorians usually have GPAs very close to 4.0, but they might not always have a perfect 4.0 due to minor variations in grading.

Here was the probability of a family having at least $1 million, based on the highest level of education in the household: No high school diploma: 1 in 110 (less than 1%) High school diploma: 1 in 20 (5%) College degree: 1 in 4.6 (~22%)