<p>I'm new to the forum but I need some guidance.
So I'm currently gr.11 in Canada. I came to Canada from Asia when I was 11 year old (Canadian citizen though). I never thought of going to any good university for the first few years until I was in gr.9. My mark started to go up and I thought I actually have a chance to go to a competitive uiniversity. My marks are pretty good but I have done no extra curricular activity what so ever. I didn't realize that EC are every important when it comes to applying to American schools. I tried to do more in my school by joining clubs at the beginning of the school year but it didn't work out and I quit the 2/3 clubs I joined because I'm too introverted or whatever reason. I didn't feel like I fit in and I hated going to the meetings and I just couldn't do it! I'm pretty confident that I'll be accepted to top schools in Canada but I want to go to an American university!! What should I do? I've never done any SAT or ACT study and I have no EC at all. Will my dream of going to an good American university ever gonna happen? Is it too late now? Should I transfer to an US university once I finish 1 or 2 years in a Canadian university? </p>
<p>Sorry for the long post but I'm so lost. WHAT SHOULD I DO???</p>
<p>Its all relative, mate. If you were at a school that offer EC activities then its a bit of a problem. I would say is DO apply to universities, try and explain these things in your essays. If you have a good school record with solid SAT scores then you still stand a chance. </p>
<p>Transferring can be another option. You may prove yourself at a Canadian college then Transfer.</p>
<p>^ That's a pretty standard answer (one you'll get from any poster here). But, what's wrong with Canadian universities? Why do you feel it would be a "dream" to go to an American university when one in Canada could be just as fulfilling? </p>
<p>Also, I certainly don't think you have failed in life, by any means. In fact, I have a similar outlook as you towards ECs; they took up too much of my time earlier in high school (9th and 10th grade), so I minimized my extra-curricular load and chose to focus my energy on academics and two or three other ECs. It's the time and effort you put into your extra-curriculars that matters to ANY university, not how many you can list on your transcript.</p>
<p>I certainly will apply to American schools but when I said I have no ECs, I meant I have ZERO ECs, I can't even list one ECs I did... Do you know anyone who is accepted to a competitive American school with no or very little ECs? Should I start doing ECs now even though universities will probably know that I did it for admission? What kind of EC should I do? The clubs in my school are so shallow, basically they're run by few of the students and the rest of the club just sit and listen to the meetings. My school is so small, there's really nothing to do. If I want to do something, I'll probably have to do it outside of school.
If I choose to transfer after 1/2 years in a Canadian university, will they look at what I did for ECs in high school too or just in college? I'll have to transform myself and really put effort into ECs when I go to college...</p>
<p>Thank you both for your inputs. I'm from Vancouver too!</p>
<p>Vancouverite? I suggest UBC. However, they do regard ECs highly so being proactive (yes, you may have to do things outside of school, which is always more fulfilling and attractive anyways) will help. I reiterate: there is NO need to transform yourself; you must be interested in something outside of academics? Apply yourself in that one area, and show individuality through your efforts. You're still in 11th grade, so you have time; start slow by choosing one EC that you know you'll excel in and enjoy. Trust me, I was just like you (I'm now a senior, most probably going to UBC) and it turned out for the best. Even now, I go to a small school just like you, with small school ethics that come with it(i.e. cliques), so finding my extra-curricular niche was difficult--I completely understand. I truly hope you do well; don't hesitate to ask me for any questions regarding UBC or anything else about Senior Year "responsibilities" (I'm using that term loosely :]).</p>
<p>Please don't think that the only place to go is a "competitive" college or university in the USA. There are plenty of "not as competitive" colleges and universities here where you can get a very fine education without having to have an absolutely perfect profile. And, as CanuckBreakwater says, Canada is full of great places to study. Not to mention that they are almost always significantly less expensive than peer institutions in the US!</p>
<p>As for the ECs, one or two activities that you enjoy and that are meaningful for you are enough. If you can't find anything at your school that you like, look for a volunteer opportunity in your community. Can you help out one day a week at your old elementary or middle school? Does your city parks department need someone to come in and help with the filing? What are you planning to do this summer? Vancouver surely has a city office that keeps lists of organizations and volunteer positions that are open to students your age.</p>
<p>I'm gonna start looking for some ECs to do but it's hard for me because I go to a boarding school on the island. Let's just see what will happen...</p>
<p>thanks for your advice though, happymomof1.</p>