<p>I know this is overdone and a bit cliche, but please bear with me.</p>
<p>Here are my stats:</p>
<p>I go to a public all-International Baccalaureate school that was rated 2nd in the nation (International Academy Bloomfield Hills MI). Last year (my junior year) I volunteered to live with my Grandparents in Iran to experience the culture. I did a great deal of photography and journalism.</p>
<p>->Grades
9 grade=As Bs
10 grade=B- average
11th grade=5.5 average (IB classes)
12th grade-haven't begun the school year</p>
<p>->ACT& SAT: None yet. I was supposed to take the ACT but last year I was in Iran. I am going to take the ACT September 13th.</p>
<p>->Extracurricular: No school clubs, but I do a great deal of photography and journalism. I run a moderately popular facebook page for photography in the Detroit area. I bike ride 10+ miles a day.</p>
<p>My work has been featured in local galleries and I am working to get my photos published somewhere like a local paper soon (fingers crossed). I have had a few articles and photo-stories published on Iranian.com (iranian.com/MohammadAraki)</p>
<p>->Languages: English and Farsi are fluent reading & writing. Spanish is okay, French I can read and write at a basic level.</p>
<p>->lived a year abroad as a way to experience my culture.</p>
<p>->First generation, born to Iranian immigrants</p>
<p>->Parents are divorced, joint custody. My dad is pretty middle classed but my mom is unemployed</p>
<p>With low-ish grades and almost no ECs, I don’t think you have much of a chance at Ivies. IA has a good relationship UofM-Ann Arbor so I suggest that you apply there, but I know they’re very grade-focused and your grades might bring you down. Anyways, you’re going to want some safety schools for sure.</p>
<p>I forgot to mention I have like 100 hours of volunteer hours. This year I will join the Economics club as well. But you are right about the UofM thing.</p>
<p>Hmmmm, well I have to say that no matter how strong ECs are, scores are the basis on which they weed out most students, then from there they look at ECs, </p>
<p>Take the ACT/SAT and get a good score. Then you will have a chance, if not a very good one. Not to say that your grades are bad, but they aren’t enough to pull in admissions officers of the top ivies. Have you taken SAT 2’s? How many IBs have you taken and what do you want to major in? That is very important.</p>
<p>Best of luck!!! I am sure if you do well on standardized testing you have a chance at making it.</p>
<p>Hmmm. From what you’ve written, I see a very strong applicant with serious artistic experience and intellectual vitality. It takes courage to move to such a different country and immerse yourself in the culture. It also shows a readiness to identify and take advantage of an incredible, though not obvious, resource. Certainly send arts supplements to the schools, and include your photography, writing, calligraphy, and sewing. Did you keep a journal last year that is publishable? Could you create a program for a local museum or school assembly? You really don’t need the economics club unless you actually want it. I have a hunch you’ll be a big winner, because no admissions officer who reads your application can forget it</p>
<p>Write a killer essay, do as well as possible on the SAT and ACT, keep the grades UP!!! Bulk up on the ECs, volunteer some more, right now 100 hours isn’t going to stand out, it’s around average. See if you can win anything with the art. Languages are a strong point, work with those!!</p>
<p>I don’t understand these answers you’re getting. You don’t need more ECs or volunteer hours. You already will be an unusual applicant with an unforgettable story and talent. It won’t be your grades or test scores that get you in. Schools will want you because you’ve identified your own strengths and followed those paths, and you have results to show. Some of the posters seem to want you to be just another cookie-cutter applicant. That would be a waste of a great possibility.</p>
<p>Without knowing the scores, it would be hard to tell. However, you seem to have an interesting background and a passion for what you are doing. You have unique qualities and an exciting story. As long as you show that you should be fine. There is no way of knowing. Strong ECs and scores are not the only criteria for getting into a good college. Good luck!</p>