Advice/Chances for a Canadian applicant to top US schools?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I always feel like these threads are a bit silly but whatever, if I get something helpful out of it, it's all good.
Hi all,</p>

<p>I would like to precede this message by noting that I am an international student hopefully with a Canadian citizenship by my time of application. As such, I have plenty of 'safeties' within my home country that I may not love, but that I deem acceptable. </p>

<p>Province: Alberta
SAT1: 770 Math, 770 Writing, 800 CR
SAT2: Will be taking - recent decision to apply US
GPA: 96 - in an school with selective admissions and enriched curriculum. I have taken/received credit for 5 'diploma/diploma level courses'. Math (94), Calc (95), English (97), Bio (97), Chem (90 - retaking, I was braindead before the final). Idk if you guys will find it relevant. </p>

<p>Rank: Likely very good.
Courseload: Most rigorous schedule. Have completed Calc BC as a sophomore, independent studies in mathematics (with credit and a final project) for the next two years. I have exhausted the English curriculum- 4 levels in 2 years and am also completing an independent study on religion (the school is secular).</p>

<p>ECs:
- Research (20+ hours/week in school year, 40+/week during the summer). Done in a specialized field - I have made some advances. While an experimental paper is feasible, it will take too long to go through review. I may try and publish some reviews in undergrad journals. (Have worked in various fields for the past 3 years)
- Editor of an internationally recognized Youth Science Journal. We work with the National Research Press and publish student research twice a year. I blog for this organization on the government's science blog.
- Hosting a science education event for the aforementioned organization, where I will have students attend seminars by researchers, a Q and A panel and hands on activities.
- member of the Minister of Education's student advisory council: I advise the minister on education, meeting with him for 4 weekends and help organize workshops and a final conference for students in the province.
- Youth Advisory Council for the Breast Cancer Foundation. Cochair/Founder of youth city wide volunteer committee for BC.<br>
- President and founder of the High School science club.
- Associate Member of Sigma Xi Research Society as a high school student
- Started a company unofficially - will not get anywhere by the time apps are due.
- I am also in the process of writing a book on science education (again, unlikely to be done by EA/ED round). </p>

<p>--Non science--
- Writer for a Youth Think Tank
- Leader of Model UN club within school; I taught Model UN to students for a few classes. The teacher asked me to.<br>
- Debater (less so this year, but qualified for Provincials in grade 10)
- Might start an Interfaith club (I really find the subject interesting). </p>

<p>Awards: One of 18 selected to represent country in an international competition (2013), Best in Category for Sigma Xi Online Research Showcase, 2nd in Regional Fair (biggest in country), top 20 (silver medal) for research (2012), various smaller awards for science. Participant in a provincially competitive program for research - gave me 6 weeks of funding. I also used to live in NY and won state awards for writing (Honourable mention for best news story) and business (FBLA - 2nd place, 4th place in New York). Awards for Model UN/Debate/Speech. </p>

<p>Other: Difficult family situation - parents were originally living apart, then we had to move to the new country. Some deaths, job losses, so overall very hectic. There were 2 B+s frosh year in the US as a result of those circumstances, but overall HS has been crazy. I'm close with my GC and I think he will write about these things. </p>

<p>Supplements: Probably research, maybe my abstracts for my religion/math independent studies. </p>

<p>Probably applying to HYPSMCC, WUSTL, Emory, JHU, Cornell, Brown, Duke, UNC-CH for Moorehead scholars, Penn, Harvey Mudd and Rochester. </p>

<p>You don't need to give me chances but if you have any tips or thoughts, I will appreciate them.</p>

2

<p>What will you write your essay on?</p>

3

<p>I haven’t thought about it yet! I’ve been sick for the past 10 or so days so I have a lot to make up in terms of work. I’m reading Harry Bauld’s college essay book RN though.</p>

4

<p>BumpIng this because chances forum moves fast</p>

5

<p>Bumping very casually.</p>

6

<p>I think that you have a great chance. I live in the same province and I got accepted to UNC Chapel Hill and Northwestern, but as a transfer. Do not ever attend the University of Alberta, even as a safety. I’m serious: don’t even apply. That place is the definition of misery.</p>

7

<p>@TheApollo Hats off to you! I hear transfer is even harder. </p>

<p>My dad used to work in Edmonton actually, so yeah…I don’t really want to go to U of A. I think it just has better engineering than U of C but I’m not interested in petroleum engineering. I have it on my list for kicks (the app is really easy) but I don’t know if I’ll actually end up applying. U of C is my real safety - no res costs and I already work there.</p>

8

<p>Lol the place still brings shivers to my spine. It was so depressing; I had to warn you. Try to get into a US college. Your stats are way too impressive to settle for U of C.</p>

9

<p>@TheApollo
Let me first tell you that I’m ashamed that I went on StudentAwards and wasted 10 minutes of my life on the business forum.
Second, were you the one who had a fairly heated exchange with “Partner”, “Null”, etc. I’d just like to recommend that you shouldn’t waste your time replying to those idiots.</p>

10

<p>The ones I’m listing are the ones that aren’t reaches:</p>

<p>JHU: High match
Cornell: High match
WUSTL: High match
U Rochester: Safety
UNC: High match
Emory: Low match/Match</p>

11

<p>Cornell is a non need blind Ivy though…meh, I’ll just have to apply and see.</p>

12

<p>My son will be starting at WUSTL this fall- great school and phenomenal environment. If you show interest in the school, you will definitely improve chances for admission.</p>

13

<p>How were you able to access all of those ECs such as having the chance to become an editor of an internationally recognized Youth Science Journal and member of the Minister of Education’s student advisory council?</p>

14

<p>P.S. Your chances are quite high. I would recon that many Ivy League level schools consider you a strong candidate. Trust me, I’ve seen some people get into places like Harvard with less under their belt. That being said, the admissions process can become quite arbitrary.</p>

15

<p>@Psychodad, how would you advise I do that? I can’t visit - St. Louis is far from where I live and I have no other colleges in that area I’m interested in. I can sign up for their mailing list, maybe and get in touch with the regional counselor. Congrats to your son by the way! </p>

<p>Tess, I heard about the Minister thing through my school and since I’m interested in science education, gave it a shot. I’m on the council for next year. For the youth science journal, I heard about it from other science fair kids. I was into research already and I just networked with some people. It’s pretty cool. </p>

<p>I’m concerned about being an international and not having that many international awards. The essay I guess will be very important.</p>

16

<p>Well, you can always tell them that they’re your number one choice. That’s what I said to Northwestern and they accepted me.</p>

17

<p>Wouldn’t they expect me to apply ED then? :stuck_out_tongue: (I’m thinking of doing SCEA or ED to other schools)</p>

18

<p>Bored bump.</p>

19

<p>Just to let you know, Cornell is actually need-blind for Canadians.</p>

20

<p>Really? I thought it was only Penn:</p>

<p>[College</a> Admissions Advice | The Ivy League May Be More Affordable Than You Think](<a href=“http://www.admissionsconsultants.com/college/ivy_league_finaid.asp]College”>http://www.admissionsconsultants.com/college/ivy_league_finaid.asp)</p>

<p>I googled and haven’t found anything.</p>