<p>Hey guys:)
So I live in Nova Scotia, and I'm only gonna be 16 when I graduate, since I skipped two grades due to intelligence-haha i hate saying that, it makes me sound so conceited! But yeah, anyway.
So, I really want to go to a prestigious university in the US, but my parents dont want to let me go to the US, since I'll only be 16. They might if I got a high scholarship. Also, there's the issue of money. American universities are a lot more expensive, and my family has a fairly low income. We're like, a middle class family, but my dad was on disability for a while, etc etc. I won't bore you, but yeah. So, I don't think I'll be able to. How likely is it that I would get a high scholarship to a good American university going how I Am now, and what could I do to improve?
Grades: I'm only going into grade 11, (so second year of high school where I live), but so far my GPA is 4.1. I'm taking every possible advanced course I can at my school, and have never gotten below a 92%. Also, how do you take the SAT's in canada? I know nothing about that, but I would have to in order to apply to the US.
Sports: I'm on two cheerleading teams, field hockey, cross country, and track.
Community Service: I volunteer for all events in my town, and I plan on volunteering for either the Diabetes Association or the Cancer Society this year. I do a lot of volunteer work with children at school.
Work: I babysit constantly and am going to get a retail job this year.
Also, I'm planning to go to Yale Explo next summer-will that help? I'm saving up the money completely by myself...
Thanks guys! :)</p>
<p>Hey! </p>
<p>You’re not going to like this, but unfortunately private schools in the states don’t offer any scholarships for canadians undergraduates. So unless you are able to get into a school that offers sufficient financial aid, then it might be a little bit of an issue. But don’t let that discourage you! And don’t let your parents get in the way. If you want something then go for it, and hopefully they will come around once they see how much you really want it. And don’t worry, you have a whole year to start figuring everything out. Good luck with everything!</p>
<p>Oh, really! Wow, that’s good to know haha! Thanks alot for the advice:)</p>
<p>Just a warning…</p>
<p>Don’t think of your skipped grades as only having a positive effect. It has negative effects such as lost time to produce a high quality application (having substantial extracurricular activities and things like that) and there’s a chance that colleges might worry that you’re too socially undeveloped for college (unless you have strong evidence suggesting that’s not true).</p>
<p>Heck, I’m gonna address some other stuff while I’m at it.</p>
<p>If you get into an Ivy League school you will be able to afford to attend. They’ll meet your full need (all Ivy undergraduate financial aid is need-based). Some other schools have this policy too (MIT, Amherst, maybe more). Cornell and Brown won’t meet your full need so consider that.</p>
<p>Any summer program that you pay for is unlikely to help your application. You can probably do something better during that time. Unless you really just want to spend some time at Yale with high school kids, I suggest you don’t go.</p>
<p>How do you take the SAT? You sign up and show up to write the test. Pretty simple.</p>
<p>Sign up at collegeboard dot com to take the test at a centre near you.</p>
<p>I’m from Halifax and go to an Ivy League school. I quickly browsed your posts. There are no “competitive” schools in Halifax (just sayin). The thing about Halifax is that everyone says they want to leave but no one ever does (X, Mt. A, Acadia and MUN don’t really count as “leaving”). People RARELY go to good schools in the States, and if they do from Halifax, they’re almost all from Grammar or Sacred Heart. The public school kids who go to the States are usually athletic recruits.</p>
<p>So basically, the odds are really really stacked against you. Your grades and extracurriculars are good, but you need something that stands out as exceptional and unique. Do your research and be realistic. Look at the “Class of 2014 Decision Thread” for schools you’re interested in and check if your stats are competitive. Sorry that my advice is grim, I’d love to see more Nova Scotians at top schools, but like I said it’s a long shot.</p>
<p>I think the most important thing about applying from Halifax that you have to KNOW that you want to go to the States. Compared to Canadian schools you have to write standardized tests, essays, fill out long supplementary applications, get recommendations etc. etc. Guidance counselors here have NO experience with applications. A lot of people will be dismissive or think you’re an ******* because you must think you’re too good for Dal. Basically, there are a lot of reasons along the way that might deter you. Unless you’re set on it, one of those reasons will probably stop you from applying.</p>
<p>edit: oh and please don’t go to the Yale program. I’m sure it’d be fun but it won’t help your application at all and there are much better ways to spend your money.</p>