<p>"My parents didn't even know what the SAT is when I made up my mind to apply to the US." So you think it's the most rational plan of action to simply follow the opinions of someone, even someone as intimate as a parent, who doesn't understand a thing about the college admissions process? No offence, but seriously, you just to follow what you really want to do, your most rational inclinations, solidified by 12 years of public education. </p>
<p>Realistically, if you really don't get into any US colleges, I still strongly recommend going to Eastern Canada, most preferably Queen's, Mcgill, U of T, or University of Western Ontario. Mcgill and U of T would offer an immense amount of opportunities and eye-openers you won't be able to experience no matter how good it is there in Vancouver. When I got into both UBC, U of T, and Johns Hopkins, I chose Hopkins, even if I had to pay a much higher tuition fee plus living expenses here in Baltimore. Now, I am starting to experience the fruits of this decision. Aside from the quality education, the geographical location of Hopkins presents an enormous advantage over other schools. A fifty minute drive from Capitol Hill, Embassy Row, a series of domestic and prestigious international agency headquarters like the World Bank, and a range of other outstanding schools like Georgetown in the DC, a school like hopkins offers countless opportunities for its students to personally xperience and "feel" what really is going on in the political/policy making power houses next door, something that I wouldn't even dream of if I had stayed at UBC. During this upcoming winter break, I will also be attending trips to major wall street banks (morgan stanley, goldman, citibank, etc) in nyc, all made easier by the proximity of our geographical location to nyc. Again, an education at UBC would never be able to facilitate me with these rich experiences and opportunities, thanks to vancouver's much secluded setting.</p>
<p>I highly recommend Mcgill and U of T as your top choices in Canada because of the same reasons, that their geographical proximity to the political, economic, cultural, and technological centers of the nation presents an uncomparable advantage over schools in the west. If you've any more questions, concerns, feel free to pm me.</p>