<p>I am curious about what kind of college I am capable to attend in US. (big public schools? community college? selective universities? mid-size universities?)
Here is a breif list of my achievements.</p>
<p>1) Graduate at age of 16 due to financial reasons
2) AP environmental science 5/5
3) GPA(US):3.8, GPA(Canada):89% to 91% (note 86% is an ''A'' in canada)
4) English is my second language (I have only learned it since two years ago), but I have work very hard to earn an ''A'' in english (so far)... (that's the reason why I do not have a long list of ECA)
5) Grade 12 course work: chem, phy, en, math, env sc ap
6) couch of physics olympiad
7) ECA(in canada and also in my homeland): volunteer in stanley park(national park), soccer team, aquatic club, agricultural career program, volunteer in ''multi-cultural program'' in elementary school, drama club, tennis club, mathematics club, science club, go club(attend go school)
8) SAT I (expect 700/800), SAT II MathII, phy, chem (expect 780 to 800/800))
9) possible majors: physics/ pure math/ math/ astronomy
10) from hong kong
11) work experience: tutor in science (to earn money for summer school)
12) will be a lab assistance in a lab in UBC (university of british columbia) in the chemical and biological engineer department, from september07 to may08
13) will be writing APs exam of Calculus, Chemistry and Physics after graduate from high school (I am taking a year off to work in UBC so I have time to do it)
14) if possible, i will take a course of Writing in UBC to improve my english. I am also looking forward to be participate in Math Olympiad.</p>
<p>lastly, does TOEFL help?
ps: please leave a comment to help me improving my application.</p>
<p>I second jbruner17, you will most likely have to take the TOEFL whether you like it or not. Some schools waive the TOEFL requirement for good SAT CR scores but some do not, and most schools waive the requirement for being educated in an English speaking setting for at least 4 years, but only relatively few are fine with 2 years.</p>
<p>
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Graduate at age of 16 due to financial reasons
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How much can your family actively contribute towards your college education? To get need-based aid as an international, you have to be a top applicant at top schools. To get a decent amount of merit-based aid, you will have to settle for schools way below your league. Finally you could attend "cheaper" public universities but even for those you should have at least $15K a year (incl out-of-state tuition, living expenses, insurances). Note that your visa status won't allow you to pursue a job off-campus.</p>
How rigorous are those courses?
As for self-studying AP material next year, that's fine if you would like to get credit at whichever college you will be attending the year after, but I doubt it will help your chances for scholarships or admission. At the time you apply (usually December) colleges don't know if you are in fact going to take the AP tests and how successful you will be.</p>
<p>I take APs next year is not because I want my applications to look more attractive to the admission office. But, I am really interested in learning college material ahead as I am crazy about science. However, I would love to hear suggestions that will help me to impress the admission office.</p>
<p>My family said they will have around 120,000CAD-180,000CAD for my tuition fees and all expenses in the following 4 years. It sounds like I don't have any financial problem (is it? I am not sure..) during the post-secondary education. However, I couldn't stay in high school for longer because my brother he was also an international student; contrasting, he will go back to hong kong this summer, and, of course, doesn't intend to return to canada anymore. Therefore, almost all of my family incoming will come toward me.</p>
<p>Hi Kit4hk, you're pretty much qualified to get in at a top LAC or other college. I, too, am international and graduated from high school at 16, in a system where an "A" is from 75-80%. I did stuff like self-studying for A-level, learning another language, working, etc...you certainly seem to know what you're doing, and more than ever, colleges are seeking mature students with great self-motivation and a passion for learning. I think you fit the bill.</p>