<p>Hello,
I've been reading this website for a while but never posted anything, however some information about how admission/application works would be really appreciated. I am a junior this year so I've got only a bit of time but here are my 'stats'</p>
<ul>
<li>Haven't taken SAT/ACT yet.. still undecided as to which one I'd score higher on- initially I thought ACT would be better because more straightforward and my weakness is competition like math, which is on the SAT. However, I am most strong in reading comprehension/english which the SAT focuses on, and my time management skills are bad (ACT has less time). Also I only took up to grade 11 bio so may be at disadvantage on ACT science section. </li>
</ul>
<p>-School doesn't do GPA but strong upward trend since freshman year, my marks this term were not too good but I am trying to bring them up by June.
AP Micro/Macro- 92 (a+)
Gr. 12 accounting- 95 (a+)
Math- 91 (a+)
AP human geography- 94 (a+)
English - 81 (a-)
Biology - 80 (I regret this course) (a-)</p>
<p>Awards- Honour roll 9-11, won a business case competition, grade 10 won an award for varsity golf
ECs- Fundraising for local cancer research committee 9-10, business council 9-10, switched schools in grade 11 and joined film club, book club, business club, debate club, and participated as designer in very large school charity fashion show (raised over 20k each year)
Volunteer- Helped local eating disorder charity with annual fundraiser, camp counselor, packaged food for food bank, volunteered at a daycare</p>
<p>Nationality- Catholic Arabic, parents lived in Nazareth during childhood (grandparents emigrated to Canada b/c of political instability/better life for children) but we all look European so I don't know if this is relevant at all
-Upper middle class, both parents attended 4 year universities and had professional designations
Hooks- None, really. I was just diagnosed with ADD halfway through junior year because no one believed that I had focusing problems due to high academic performance throughout my life but I don't know if that's a hook, it does explain my lower marks...
School- Was at a large public school for grades 9-10 in a laptop program known for strongest academics in the area(slightly more advanced from regular academic curriculum) There are applied, academic, laptop/academic, and advanced placement classes in canada.. does that align with the honours/AP courses? in grade 11 switched to a small private girls school to do AP classes, however there is heavy grade deflation especially compared to other private schools in the area. I thought it was just me coming later on, but the girls who have been here since middle school say if they put in this much effort at there old school they'd be getting 99s instead of 88s. This school sends a few girls every year to the Ivy's (last year 2 went to harvard, this year 2 going to columbia, 1 to yale, a few to cornell, etc)</p>
<p>Now for my questions:
- Marking here is in percentages, everything above an 80% is an A level, 80-84 is A-, 85-89 is A, 90-100 is A+. I know 4.0 is a level 4 (equivalent to an A) average, but it seems to easy to just have an 80% average and a 4.0?
-Is it harder to apply as an international applicant?
- What would make me more competitive- at this point I am considering not even applying because I have a slim to none chance of getting in to any of my top choice schools (Wharton, Princeton, Yale).
-if there are any canadians at an ivy right now could you share your stats/tips?
- applying early action vs regular</p>
<p>That's about it! Thanks so much any info would help :)</p>