Canadian trying to get into US Schools, HELP!

International Students
1

<p>Hello, I'm a junior student (Grade 11) from Canada who would like to apply to several US schools, and I'd like to know my chances of admission. My race is Indian (brown). My school RARELY gives out 90s, and is very difficult academically. All courses taken are University prep (academic). The school's name is A.Y. Jackson Secondary School, in Toronto, ON, Canada. Here are my grades:</p>

<p>Math: 88
Physics: 84
Chemistry: 92
English: 86
Music (Strings): 93
Computer Science: 80
Computer Engineering: 81
Psychology: 92</p>

<p>My SAT score was 2010 (660 Reading, 710 Math, 640 Writing).</p>

<p>My extracurriculars include:</p>

<p>-Junior + Senior Orchestra
-Senior stage band
-Robotics Team (both sophomore and junior years)
-Computer Club Executive and Administrator
-Court Supervisor/Manager at a local tennis club
-Over 250 volunteer community service hours
-Member of ESP (group dedicated to stopping crime in Toronto)
-Organized fundraisers for Hurricane Katrina victims
-Organized fundraisers for Darfur Crisis
-Tutored peers</p>

<p>Do I stand a chance at getting admission to:
-Stanford (FIRST CHOICE),
-UCBerkeley,
-CalTech,
-GATech,
-U Michigan (Ann Arbor),
-U Illinois (Urbana-Champlaign)
-Carnegie Mellon
-Cornell
-U California (San Diego)
-U California (LA)</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>I have a same GPA like you, there s no 90s in my school too. Do you apply for aid ? if you do most of them are reaches I believe.</p>

3

<p>I'm not going to apply for aid, because I know that would kill my chances of admission.</p>

4

<p>A person with an SAT score over 2000 has a chance in being admitted to those top US colleges. However, unless the score exceeds over 2100, your chances are quite low. It will be extremely difficult with your school marks and SATs even with a excellent application essay, especially when it comes to Stanford which I realize is your first choice. I think your extracurriculars are fine, but you do need to raise your SAT scores and try harder at raising your school marks as well. I wonder if you have taken your SAT IIs? You need those as well. With your current SAT scores and your school grades, applying to GAtech, U of Michigan, Urbana Campaign, Carnegie Mellon and UC San Diego is a worth a shot. But i highly doubt other universities are possible, especially CalTech and Stanford. But getting over 2000 on your SATs isn't an easy thing to do, so i congratulate on that.</p>

5

<p>i think your chances are good at all except Stanford, UCB, CalTech, and Cornell. They understand the difference in Canadian grading. You should retake the SATs though as, although you have an excuse for your lower-by-comparison GPA, the SAT measures "general knowledge" regardless of your GPA, and it is very low for some of those schools.</p>

6

<p>If I scored above 750 on my SAT IIs (I plan to take Chemistry and Math) would that allow me to not retake my SAT Is?</p>

7

<p>Hey, MKDaman1818,</p>

<p>We have VERY similar stats (academically). My grade 11 scores contain a few in the high 80s and and low 90s range. Yeah, Canadian grading system is very different from the American one, since our school in vancouver bc considers anything above 86 a solid A, which also translates to a 4.0 GPA (pretty weird, since you can't make the distintion between a 99% A and a 86% A).</p>

<p>Your SAT reasoning scores were indeed a bit low. But don't worry, most seniors take at least 2 to 3 sittings to improve their scores to their desired expectations (in your case, a 2100+). No, SAT Reasoning and Subject tests have very different objectives in the college application process. SAT Reasoning is to give the college a general overview of your intellectual ability. SAT Subject tests, however, gives hint to your academic interest as well as your level of performance in a specific subject area. </p>

<p>I see that you have quite a few Ivy schools on your list. Well, you should take note that we Canadians also have the privilege of receiving 'NEED-BASED" Financial Aid packages along with our American counterparts, BUT ONLY at the 8 Ivy League schools (so don't hesitate to put that you need financial aids on your IVY applications, since that won't affect your status). </p>

<p>Some other prospective top schools I recommend (based on your current stats) include Brandeis University (ranked 34 by US News and world report), UPenn (ivy, relatively high admin. rate), Princeton (high high reach, but it's worth trying), NYU (very popular nowadays), Northwestern (among the top 20). I'm not sure about STANFORD being FIRST CHOICE for stats you currently have, since it sure is a very very risky business, even for many who have perfect ECs, SATs, GPAs, etc. I know a few people who got outright rejected by Stanford, but admitted by Harvard and Princeton. I hope you'd reconsider that choice, considering that Stanford's latest admit rate has all been "single digit" numbers.</p>

<p>One other thing (very critical) is your EC list. To be bluntly honest, it looks quite boring- and imagine admissions official who has looked over hundreds of applications already, it'll just cause a big lazy yawn and possibly a red "R" stamp. You GOT TO perfect your list. I don't really see a particular interest, or PASSION you have, and nor could an admissions staff who'd most likely be reviewing your EC list at 1 AM in the morning. Make it interesting, realistic, MAKE your EC list COME TO LIFE, with a personality of your own. </p>

<p>Well, that's I have to say about your situation. Hope this helps. PM me if you've any questions. And don't worry, I'm in a similar situation like you.</p>

8

<p>jimmy@killarney,
where are you applying in the States?</p>

<p>(princeton is my school of choice btw, so I saw your other post)</p>

9

<p>strong ECs plus really below average scores------cant be optimistic</p>

10

<p>With my stats above, do I have a chance at getting admission to U Illinois, Georgia Tech, or U Michigan?</p>

11

<p>you do, but not extremely solid, anyhow, you can get in at least some of them</p>

12

<p>Princeton definitely. I've there last summer, stayed for a month, and just loved that quiet, mysterious atmosphere.</p>

13

<p>I heard Princeton is harder to get accepted into than it is to get into Harvard nowadays.</p>

14

<p>i only know Princeton is very famous for its math
but in my mind, its not as famous as Stanford, right?</p>

15

<p>According to US News and World, princeton's ranked number 1 along with harvard. But on the other hand, digest it with a grain of salt. Your college list should NEVER be based on "prestige" or "fame." It'll only lead to nothing but four years of disaster once you realized that you hated the so-widely-hailed school.</p>

<p>Now, Princeton does have a very good pre-med undergrad program. Have you guys ever watched "A Beautiful Mind?" It's an Academy Award Winning film on a Princeton math scholar, John Nash. </p>

<p>Princeton's also really well-renowned for its Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs- frequent opportunities to meet some of those idiots from DC (no offense to any neo-conservatives, young republicans).</p>

<p>Another aspect of Princeton I really like is its location. The entire university is located in a town called (surprise) princeton. Although the place may be a bit "small" for you urban folks, it certainly has that kind of intellectual atmosphere for a world renowned higher learning institution. And hey, it's only a 40 minute ride to nyc. you could even take the train if you want, to any major "potential terrorist targeted" cities in the north eastern coast: Philly, nyc, washington, boston, you name it. Princeton's a convenient little place to live.:)</p>

16

<p>I am sorry but can someone explain me what SAT? :)</p>

17

<p>You mean what is SAT?</p>

<p>full name: Scholarlistic Aptitude Test</p>

<p>to register: <a href="http://www.collegeboard.com%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.collegeboard.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>basically has two components: SAT Reasoning Test and SAT Subject Tests. Most kids are required to take the SAT I and 2-3 Subject Tests as a requirement for college admissions in the United States.</p>

18

<p>So guys do you think I have a good shot at Illinois, GATech, and Michigan?</p>

19

<p>Hi I am an international graduate student doing my masters in Canada , i wanted to apply for PHD in US universities . can you let me know how's the procedure , hows my chance for finanical aid and do i need to give my GRE for applying to US schools ?</p>

20

<p>MKDa, don worry, you r a strong applicant, just do your best</p>