Canadian Grade 10 student looking to apply Northwestern, UCLA and UCSD

Student Lounge International Students
1

<p>Hi,
I am a Canadian high school student, currently in grade 10 at one of the top private high schools in Canada. I was just wondering as I am at quite a preliminary stage in terms of university applications, as to what exactly I should do/improve to raise my chances of getting into schools in the US. Here is my portfolio </p>

<p>Canadian-Lebanese citizen
Palestinian Lebanese decent
Born in Canada</p>

<p>Academics
I have achieved the honours award (85+avg) each term since the 8th grade
I generally achieve an average of 87-89%
I am enrolled in Advanced Mathematics and Science option courses.</p>

<p>Community Service
Duke of Edinburgh Bronze and Silver, award recipient.
(on track to achieving gold)</p>

<p>Co Curriculars</p>

<p>jv Football (gr 9)
Varsity Football player (gr 10)</p>

<p>Divison III recreation hockey (gr 9,10)</p>

<p>I operate a car photography blog on Facebook with friends of moderate popularity that is updated regularly. </p>

<p>Varsity Rugby (gr 9,10)</p>

<p>Partook in Highschool exchange to Australia, alone for 8 weeks (gr 9)</p>

<p>Model Un member</p>

<p>World politics club member</p>

<p>Play three instruments </p>

<p>Guitar (8 years) </p>

<p>Bass (3 years)</p>

<p>Trumpet (3 years)</p>

<p>Member of school band (gr7-10)</p>

<p>Will be going on band trip to Cuba this year (gr 10)</p>

<p>I speak English and French fluently in the home and at school. I live in Montreal where French is most prominently spoken. Have been learning French since pre Kindergarden
I am moderately fluent in Spanish and Arabic (took spanish lessons for three years gr 7,8,9</p>

2

<p>An 87-89 would not get you into Northwestern. UCLA would be a reach. </p>

3

<p>Tom, I know several Canadian students who have been admitted to schools that are ranked higher than those inquired about here with similar percentage averages. Canadian grades are looked at differently than equivalent grades from U.S. high schools.</p>

4

<p>@alwaysamom I respectfully disagree. I understand the Canadian grading system and stand by my statement that an 87-89 will not get the OP into Northwestern, unless he is a recruited athlete.</p>

<p>As for the UC’s, is the OP’s parents ready to pay +/-$55,000/year? The UC’s give minimal financial aid to out of state Americans let alone internationals. </p>

5

<p>Haha. You can disagree all you like. As I said, I know a group of students who are at top U.S. colleges and who are not recruited athletes with similar academic stats. One of them is a niece of mine and another is the child of a longtime friend, currently at Northwestern studying theatre. The database that colleges use in the admissions process which has compiled info on tens of thousands of kids coming from thousands of high schools all over North America is a useful tool in its predictive value for colleges.</p>