Confused Junior

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Perhaps some of you have experienced the same situation that I am struggling with right now: as a Canadian citizen (moved to the U.S. at the beginning of freshman year) who is living here on a visa, is it worth my trying to obtain a green card? My situation is slightly unique, because in order to receive a green card in time for college applications, my parents would have to apply through investment, which would inevitably cost quite a large sum of money. I was wondering, would it be worth getting a green card (or trying), and how much would it help with college admissions, especially at top tier schools and HYPSM.</p>

<p>Here are my stats, to judge whether I even have a chance at these schools</p>

<p>GPA: 3.94 UW</p>

<p>My school is ranked in the top 10 in the nation (does this even matter?), but it doesn't rank its students.</p>

<p>SAT: 2150 </p>

<p>Reading - 740, Math -680 (Not trying to justify this or anything, but fail), Writing - 730</p>

<p>SATII: none yet</p>

<p>Course Load: </p>

<p>IB Chemistry (tentative HL)
IB Physics (tentative HL)
IB History (tentative HL)
IB Literature (tentative SL)
IB Music (tentative HL)
IB Math SL
IB French (tentative SL)</p>

<p>Apparently 7 IB's is considered rare? You decide whether it merits attention (the typical IB diploma course contains only 6 IB courses)</p>

<p>EC's/Clubs:</p>

<p>Piano: Solo and Ensemble Division Rating I.
(Probable) Finalist at MMTA.</p>

<p>BuildON: National organization devoting resources to help build schools<br>
in developing nations.</p>

<p>Robotics: One of the top teams in the nation.</p>

<p>Science Olympiad: Pretty good in the state, with luck we'll make
nationals this year.</p>

<p>Asian Student Society/French Honor Society/National Honor Society: same old, same old.</p>

<p>And there it is. I may have forgotten some information, but I hope this is enough to help you help me.</p>

2

<p>HYPSM are not all that you’re applying to right. I think if you’re lucky you’ll get into one of them, but be sure to have a backup. And yes, get a green card.</p>

<p>Which FRC team are you on? 525?</p>

3

<p>Okay. 469, and obviously not. should I list my prospective schools?</p>

4

<p>go ahead. that’ll help a lot :)</p>

5

<p>oh my god. were you part of that team that did that really weird thing with the balls for breakaway!!! like you directed them into the goals as they reentered the field.</p>

6

<p>Haha, maybe.</p>

7

<p>Oh by the way, I’m asian. I guess that makes all my EC stereotypical, but whatever.</p>

<p>Anyways, prospective schools:</p>

<p>U of M
Stanford
Harvard
Cooper Union
JHU
NYU
McGill (canadian)
University of Waterloo (canadian)</p>

<p>*This list is subject to change at a moment’s notice.</p>

8

<p>U of M - if youre instate, good match
Stanford - reach
Harvard - reach
Cooper Union - reach
JHU - reach
NYU - match
McGill (canadian) - high safety
University of Waterloo (canadian) - safety</p>

<p>anyways congratulations on your success with FIRST. maybe you can guess my team’s #. hint: penguins</p>

9

<p>hmmm. 585?</p>

10

<p>nope more to the north and closer to the sea…the team won last year’s la regional (big giveaway)</p>

11

<p>hmmm. 1717</p>

12

<p>:)</p>

<p>…</p>

13

<p>so, I think a bump is appropriate just about now.</p>

14

<p>yeah your large # of IB courses will help you.</p>

<p>anyways if you’re short on money and you have a green card, why not try these schools w/ <em>guaranteed</em> merit scholarships?
[Out-of-State</a> Scholarships - Undergraduate Scholarships - The University of Alabama](<a href=“http://scholarships.ua.edu/types/out_of_state.html]Out-of-State”>http://scholarships.ua.edu/types/out_of_state.html)
[College</a> of Engineering - Scholarship Information](<a href=“http://coeweb.eng.ua.edu/future_students/scholarship.htm]College”>http://coeweb.eng.ua.edu/future_students/scholarship.htm)</p>

<p>[Freshmen</a> Scholarships - Undergraduate Admissions at the University of South Florida](<a href=“http://usfweb2.usf.edu/Admissions/Freshmen/freshman-scholarships.aspx]Freshmen”>http://usfweb2.usf.edu/Admissions/Freshmen/freshman-scholarships.aspx)</p>

<p>[Truman</a> Scholarships - Office of Admission - Truman State University](<a href=“Admission | Truman State University”>Admission | Truman State University)</p>

<p>[Scholarships</a> and Grants | Ohio Northern University](<a href=“http://www-new.onu.edu/admissions/financial_aid/scholarships_and_grants]Scholarships”>http://www-new.onu.edu/admissions/financial_aid/scholarships_and_grants)</p>

<p>and there are many scholarships for participation in FIRST, and your piano playing will help you get some merit aid as well</p>

15

<p>okay, thanks. anything that I try to improve in the next year?</p>

16

<p>not much…a 3.9 UW GPA is pretty impressive…maybe higher SAT scores would help?</p>

<p>make sure you get your green card</p>