As an international student (Canadian), what are my chances?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I am from Canada and I am considering to apply for some colleges in the states. </p>

<p>My choices are: Wharton/UPenn, Yale, Stanford, Harvard, Princeton, Duke, MIT, Columbia, Dartmouth, and Cornell in order of preference. My major would most likely be in the fields of business or med (ie biology).</p>

<p>What are my chances? I really would like to know before I apply to any of these colleges in the future. What should I improve on to better increase my chances? Any advice?</p>

<p>Acdemics:
GPA: I am not sure how to calculate this, but my average in percentage is around 93-94%
Courses: the most challenging in my school (honors/gifted). There're no APs offered, but I think I will self study some (bio, chem, calc, phys)
Rank: top 5 in a class of 450
SAT: 2250~
SAT II: Math Level II: 780
Biology: 780
Chinese: 800</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:</p>

<p>Volunteer:
Member of Parliament - 3 years (in total 250 hours)
Youth Advisory Group - 2 years (1.5 hrs/week, every other week/year)
President and Founder of Wildlife Club at my school
Vice Class President
Member of debating club (participated in many tournaments)
Community Builders In Action
Member of Free the Children club</p>

<p>Work Experience:
Book and Video assistant at the Public Library (summer job)
Co-op at a Hospital</p>

<p>Biotech Research:
Worked on a experimental biotech project over the year with a professor/MD</p>

<p>Awards/Competitions:
Pascal/Cayey/Fermat-Honour Roll, Certificate of Distinction
Tournament of Towns (math competition) - International Distinction
Canadian Open Math Competition - top in school, Certificate of Distinction(not sure about the overall rank)
Dynamic Korea Essay Contest (National)- Second place
Participated/ing in:
City-wide science Fair
Science Olymiad (by York Uni.) - Team Captain
Aventis Biotech Challenge
National Biology Competition
Math Battle (by Tournament of Towns) - Team Captain</p>

<p>Sports:
Varsity Badminton (3 years)
Varsity Ultimate frisbee (2 years)</p>

<p>Recs:
They should be good. I think on a scale of 1-10, they would be 9.</p>

<p>Please, please reply. Thank you so much for your comments =)</p>

2

<p>ps-I just want to add that my school is pretty good with sending students to the states. Last year, 1 went to yale, 1 to upenn, and 2 to cornell. Hope this will boost up my chances.</p>

3

<p>which part of Canada do u come from? btw, r u a international student or a immigrant or a citizen?</p>

4

<p>Toronto.
I am a Canadian citizen, but I think that counts as an international student when I apply to the states, right?</p>

5

<p>I would say you have a decent chance at all the schools you apply to (except MIT - you really have to be impressive for that one). You definitely have a bit of awards and stuff going for you, but you're not really one of the most compelling applicants I've seen.</p>

<p>If your school has a good history with the Ivy League, then that's going to help.</p>

<p>And please please please, take some SAT Subject Test OTHER than Chinese. Otherwise...that's going to be pretty lame dude...</p>

6

<p>Thanks for your comment.</p>

<p>What else should I improve on to make a more compelling application??</p>

<p>I am think of taking some more, but I took the SAT Chinese just for the language requirement because I am not taking any other foreign languages in school.</p>

7

<p>No problem. I'm not even sure how to answer your question, since there are literally tons of ways to make yourself stand out in an application. There are your intangibles, etc.</p>

<p>IMO, your leadership as it seems doesn't really stand out. You have a bunch of positions that you may or may not have significantly been a big part of/been affected by. My first advice is to emphasize your EC involvement in your essays. Emphasize your passions and try to focus your application on why you're special.</p>

<p>I have more to say...but I got to go out to dinner with some buddies now. KK.</p>

8

<p>You certainly hace a chance but there's noting exceptional here for schools like HYPM. I applied several years ago as a Canadian and top schools treat you as an American. I did not get in with high stats the first time, went to H as a junior after getting involved in important research. Your chances are much better if you have attended one of TOs top private schools that have connections with the schools. Being Asian also makes it harder.</p>

9

<p>To Big Brother,
Yes, the question was really broad. But there are just so many aspects that I don't know which to focus on as priority. I will keep your advices in mind.</p>

<p>To bobby,
thanks for your reply.
Sorry, what do you mean by "went to H as a junior after getting involved in important research"? I am confused.
I am in a public school, but our school history has been good with the ivies. There's always a few that apply each year and get accepted. I hope this will be an advantage. But what are some of the top private schools that have the connections? UCC, UTS?
And sadly, I am Aisan :(
PS-if you don't mind, what university/college are you attending now, and where did you go for school in TO?</p>

10

<p>I went to UCC, then spent 2 years at McGill before transfering to Harvard as a junior. I'm 3 years out applying to Business schools.</p>

<p>The other thing to remember as a Canadian is no many accepted at top colleges are hockey recruits. It's tough for a Canadian who doesn't have a hooked. My year at UCC most of the accepted at HYPSM were sons of Canadian bigwigs.</p>

11

<p>Ahh, I see. Well, good luck on applying to business schools =)</p>

<p>Do you have any advice for me on how to improve? It would be greatly appreciated!</p>

12

<p>Continue research, apply to top science program like RSI at MIT or do EPGY work. Take some college classes if you can't take APs..</p>

13

<p>Alright. What is an "enough" AP load? I am thinking 5 ish (for canadians)? Also, if I plan to self sudy for some AP courses, does this mean that i have to take the exams in my junior year so the colleges can see them?</p>

14

<p>Sorry to hijack the thread, but I'm just wondering if living out in Atlantic Canada is viewed favourably or negatively. On one hand, I can see schools dismissing the education system here, but on the other, very few atlantic canadians apply to the top schools.</p>

15

<p>umm, no prob. IMO, it really doesn't matter where you are in Canada cuz we all count as internationals. It only matters if you are in the states...</p>

<p>Any more comments and advice? plzzz</p>

16

<p>bummmmmmmp!</p>

17

<p>blue sky are you from TOPS?
=) i think i might know u! LOL</p>

18

<p>nope =) are you from TOPS though? marc garneau?</p>

19

<p>nope! lol
albert campbell lol u?</p>

20

<p>blue sky im a captain for my math battles team too =)
given dat and my school, u should prolly be able to find out who i am LOL</p>