<p>Hi. My name is Becky. I'm in grade 11 and I live in Toronto.
I'm planning on going into college in the states. I'm a Canadian resident, American citizen.. so hopefully that will save a bit of a hassle with VISAs and stuff.
I want to go to a big college with decent academics. Not looking into Ivy Leagues or a super prestigous university, because my marks just aren't that high. My average mark is about 85%. I guess I'm "smart" compared to the rest of the class(definately above average), but I don't know how I compare to american high school kids. I'm taking university/college courses in grade 11, and I will be taking university/college courses in grade 12 as well. I only want to apply places where I will stand a chance. I really need help with choosing one. It'd also be great to get some perspectives from you guys.</p>
<p>Here are just a few that I've been looking at:
Indiana U
Ohio U
U of Texas - Austin
UNC
PennState
U of Michigan</p>
<p>It'd really be great if you could give me some ideas as to where I could go? I want to study in the states because a) I'm looking for change. b)I plan on living in the US after college anyway. c) because it's an option, my parents are good with it.</p>
<p>Also, I registered for the SAT so I'll be taking in on June 2nd. How would you suggest I prepare for it? Buy the test prep book from collegeboard.com? And do I need to register for the subject tests as well? From what I've been reading, some colleges need it for placement? Do people usually take these ?</p>
<p>sO many questions.. Thanks for your help everyone!</p>
<p>IMO, you shouldn't bother applying to any of those places except for UT, UM and UNC. The rest are a waste of money: why pay over $25k USD to go to OSU when you can pay half that and go to a better school like Queen's, McGill, or UofT?</p>
<p>You should throw in some more selective schools too. An 85% is pretty good in Canada (I had an 89% and got into Penn).</p>
<p>You'd be surprised where an 85% can get you; I know cause my average was an 86 (I live in Toronto) and while I went to U of T, I got a lot of US acceptances as well. When applying, you might want to throw an Ivy or two in there just to see what happens.</p>
<p>The thing is, I see a lot of kids with like 90% + averages.. which really brings my hopes down? I don't want to put down those in usa high schools by saying our curriculum is harder, because I don't know that for a fact. But I really see it as impossible to pull off a 90-95 average..</p>
<p>It's not that you would be putting down US schools...in terms of what students learn in the classroom, I get the impression that US and Canada are basically equivalent. But in terms of grading, Canada is definitely harder, and schools that are familiar with the Canadian grading system will understand that. If you have a class rank, that could also show where your GPA stands in terms of other students at your school.
Plus, what you end up getting on the SATs could easily have a major impact on where it would be reasonable to apply.</p>
<p>That said, many of the schools on your list are excellent, and going to them certainly wouldn't be demeaning yourself, people just want to be sure you don't sell yourself short in your college search by misinterpreting your stats.</p>
<p>Becky: many colleges do discriminate between countries. For example, when I applied to the University of London for graduate school the minimum GPA for Canada was 3.3 and on the next page, it said the minimum GPA for the USA was 3.5. So, there is that. Plus, I dated someone in America going to a state university once and we visited each others' campuses. We both agreed her GPA was inflated and mine was deflated. They take these things into account. Just try, the worse they can say is no.</p>
<p>UNC is a fine university but it is not "harder to get into" than any Ivy, out of state or not.</p>
<p>On point, find what colleges have the programs and other features you want and explore, with your guidance counselor, or someone whom you trust and is well-informed, your chances of admission. Cast a wide net and then narrow it as you find out more information. Don't go in presuming you don't qualify for any school, especially if your boards are strong.</p>
<p>Yes do take at least 2 to 3 SAT Subject Tests. It's an absolute requirement as most major universities (though some only take it as optional, but it'd still work in your favour if you take them). </p>
<p>Yes, I mostly do agree with the above poster that an 85% average is a good mark in terms of Canadian standards. I live in Canada and my grade 11 average was around 89% , which did not really hinder my chances during admissions. Yet, I do suggest that you pull up that mark to around the 90% mark, since it's not "that" hard to achieve that even here in Canada. I'm sure you can do it. </p>
<p>Yeah, why do want to choose a school like Ohio U over a Canadian one like U of Toronto, Queen's, or Mcgill? Schools of U of T are very very prestigious around the world (U of T ranks 19 worldwide last year). And I know for sure that Queen's and University of Western Ontario have two of the best business programs on the continent. Plus tuition is much cheaper/highly subsided by the provincial governments (e.g. around $3600/year for Mcgill)</p>
<p>Thanks everyone.
I'm actually surprised by what you're saying about my average. I never thought of it as a good mark ever since I've been thinking about going to college in the states. So it's really great to hear that I have some chances!</p>
<p>Even though I'm not really in the midst of the college admission process, I'm still finding it stressful because my guidance counselors have been no help at all whatsoever. And my parents don't know much about it either. So I'm really counting on myself and internet resources here. The college admission process is so much more complicated in comparison with our system. It's kind of ridiculous. </p>
<p>So with subject tests, I'll probably take the literature and the math one. What are they like in terms of difficulty? </p>
<p>And when should I take the SAT test for the 2nd time? The subject tests for the first time? I'm starting college in September 2008.
Thanks all! I appreciate it.</p>
<p>As to why Ohio U when there's U of T, and Queen's around here? That's a good point. I was merely naming off a few that I've been looking at. I haven't really looked at tuition yet, which I should be doing. There's just so much to consider that I often overlook some really important deciding factors.</p>
<p>Even with the big tuition difference, I still would like to head off to the states no matter what because I'm more interested in the college life experience that american colleges seem to be able to offer. From what I can see, it just doesn't exist in universities around here.</p>
<p>SAT IIs:
June-first try
November- second try</p>
<p>As for SAT II, you can take at most 3 Subject Tests in one session. They are 1 Hour each, mostly composed of 50-100 multilple choice questions.
SAT II has two types of Math tests: Math Level 1 and Math Level 2
If your math skills are relatively advanced, take Math 2 (it's easier to get a higher mark even if you make lots of mistakes, but the questions are harder)
Math Level 1 is relatively easier than Math 2, but it's VERY easy to get a low mark (5 mistakes out of 50 and you'll be well below 700).</p>
<p>Each subject test is out of 800 by the way.</p>
<p>Also, if you are looking for a good college life, both Mcgill and Queen's have excellent campus atmosphere. Mcgill is in one of the country's most cultural areas, in a vibrant, culturally diverse city with LOTS to do. As for Queen's, it has a very close-knitted campus community accompanied by a very scholarly, "British" atmosphere. Queen's also has a separate campus "castle" situated in England, and is open for all first years who are interested in pursuing an international experience. Have you visited those schools yet? If not, I highly recommend you to do so. Next week is Ontario's spring break, and each of these universities will be having a week long "open house" session for prospective students like you. Make a reservation and attend one of these programs. Some of my friends here in Vancouver BC is also going next week. Have fun.</p>
<p>McGill, for sure no. I don't want to live in a French environment. I've been to Quebec City/Montreal and though it's quite a beautiful place, I can't see myself living there. Queen's might be an option. I've been to Kingston and I don't remmeber being particularly fond of it though.</p>
<p>Ahhh. I sound so negative. I guess I just don't want to stay in Canada.</p>
<p>Just wondering, how bad would it be if I didn't take the SAT IIs? The colleges that I plan on applying to don't seem to require them. And I can't see myself taking ANY of them except for the math tests. Truth is, do most people not striving for the Ivies take them?</p>
<p>"McGill, for sure no. I don't want to live in a French environment."</p>
<p>It always amazes me how many people think they need to know French to live in Montreal and go to McGill. Just about everyone in Montreal -- at least anyone you'd ever need to talk to (police, taxi drivers, waiters, storeowners) -- is functionally bilingual. I rarely, if ever, have to use my French, and when I do it's usually because I want to get some practice.</p>
<p>And god forbid you pick up a few phrases here and there. You do know that American universities tend to have foreign language requirements, right?</p>
<p>People who recommend Ohio State Univ and U of Toronto over Ohio University have no idea what they are talking about. They are not similar schools. It is a completely random caparison. OU is half the size of OSU for instance. It's like recommending Penn State instead of U Pittsburgh. Some kids would do better at Penn State, some at Pitt. Same for OU.</p>
<p>McGill is not a French university. It is French. Regardless, i can see why some kids might want to be in USA and some might want to be in Canada. They are not the same.</p>
<p>I do understand that there are bilinguals in Montreal, but the French language just doesn't mesmerize me as it does to some (my english teacher in grade school). I don't want to be immersed in the language any more than I have been. Rather learn another one. I also don't want to go somewhere that's as cold/colder than Toronto. </p>
<p>weenie - could you explain a bit as to why universities like OU and U of T can't be compared? Or any other American college to a Canadian university really. I'm really interested in how they're different.</p>