<p>Question: should I spend time, money, and energy to apply to US colleges and prepare for SATs? Since Canadian universities take grade more seriously than ECs, but US is the other way around?</p>
<p>I've been reading tons of posts from before to see if there's anyone that has the similar situation as mine. I did learn a lot, such as US colleges needs relatively high GPAs, high SAT scores, abundant extra-curricular activities and athletic excellence. In one word, you gotta be WELL-ROUNDED. Also, nothing is as important to ONE thing that you are passionate about. I'm in a dilemma of choosing that one thing I will be committed to. </p>
<ul>
<li>I do well in math and sciences, but don't feel myself to be interested enough to pursue these fields in the future. They'll be my back-ups.</li>
<li>Everyone calls me an environmentalist, but I've tried to do research with a professor at U of T and found myself not interested in doing computer models at all.</li>
<li>I'm still a newcomer to Canada, landed in the summer before attending Gr. 9, and I'm currently in Gr.11 (applying to university in about 6 months).</li>
</ul>
<p>I have consulted some of the acquaintance of mine who are either applying, applied, or at Yale (apparently they are more successful in many ways than myself), and seek for their advice and opinions, but all I learned was the general ideas which I have heard a million times. I'm also aware of the fact that there surely are thousands of thousands of students who are way better than me in general, but I still want to learn some expertise that targets my personal situation. So please no put-downs, but I'll really appreciate some of your sincere responses and constructive criticisms.</p>
<p>Here's some of my statistics:</p>
<p><em>Averages:
Grade 9 (first year in Canada): 91
Grade 10: 93.1
Grade 11: 93.1
AP Calculus</em>-97
Gifted Chemistry-95
Gifted English-82 (my weakness**)
Physics-94
Biology-91
Gr.9 French (sheer interest)-97</p>
<p>P.s. I have been participating in UW math contests three years in a row, and get 5th, 3rd, 2nd places respectively (school-wide), scored Top 2 % in Canada for sure. I know it isn’t big, but it might be helpful.</p>
<p>*Extra-curriculars at school
I'm not an athlete or a music student, but I do play some piano. The lack of ECs at school worries me the most because it's hard for me to be as outgoing as I really am at school for some reasons. I am shy when I'm with people at school, but to my friends and people I know from out of school volunteering, I can be extremely open-minded and talkative. My explanation to myself is that Grade 9 (the first year in Canada) casted me a shadow of being afraid of being judged because the way I talk, dress, and think are too different than others. =( (I was relatively very popular back in my old school, and had tons of friends.)</p>
<p>-General exec on Student Council
-Exec on Environment Club
-Member of Prefects</p>
<p>*Volunteering
By the end of last summer, I have 500+ community service hours, I did them for my pure interest, since I wasn't even aware of getting more hours will help you get into university at all! In my senior years, I no longer do as much volunteering because I found a new job, more intense studies, and etc., but I believe I'll have nearly 600 by this summer.</p>
<p>Here’s my condensed resume:</p>
<p>2009 – Present University of Toronto – Mentorship Program
2009 – Present TDSB EcoSchools – Students of Toronto for Environmental Progress
2009 – Present City of Toronto - Toronto Environment Volunteers (have stopped for schedule conflict)
2009 – Present Evergreen Brick Works
2009 – Present YMCA - Youth Exchange Advisory Committee
2009 – Present Toronto Public Library – Leading to Reading
2009 – Summer Toronto Public Library – Reading Buddies
2008 – Present City of Toronto - Toronto Youth Ambassador’s Network
2008 – Present Peer Tutor at XX CI
2007 – Present Toronto Public Library YAG - Youth Advisory Groups
2007 – 2009 YMCA - Newcomer Youth Leadership Corps</p>
<p>P.S. If I have listed them out, it means I've been doing quite a lot in those places. If I've volunteer at a place less than 10 times, I would not put it up in my resume.</p>
<p>•Certified Emergency First Aid with CPR-B
•Completed Digital Design Studio Basics at Toronto Reference Library
•Completed METRAC’s Community Safety Audit Training
•Completed the EcoMentors facilitator Training
•Participate in Youth Exchange Canada
•Received City of Toronto Parks, Forestry, and Recreation Volunteer Award in 2007
•Received New Horizons Toastmaster, Toastmasters International
•Recognized in several University of Waterloo Math Contests</p>
<p>*Employment
As mentioned, I am an environmentalist, so I hate jobs such as working in an unhealthy fast food restaurant or as a sales representative who constantly urge people to buy stuff they don't need in order to gain profit toward themselves. So by volunteering at the local library for two years, I finally received an offer to work as a page at Toronto Public Library near home. The main duty is to shelf and sort books. I wouldn't say its the best job, but at least it's one of the best I could find at my best ability for these reasons:</p>
<ul>
<li>I can keep my job as long as I want to (never worried about being fired), till 60s I'd say, lol</li>
<li>I'd never get paid with wage lower or at minimum</li>
<li>My wage will increase annually because of the Union</li>
<li>If I get to work for 4 years, I'll be able to receive benefits at the age of 21 and start my pension plan!</li>
</ul>
<p>*Financial Aids</p>
<p>I'm worried about the tuition and residence and the same time. Since I do not have any relatives in the States, what's the odd of getting a financial aids for international students from Canada?</p>
<p>Finally, I know it seems endless, but I really hope by providing this thorough information, some of you guys can give me some really helpful feedbacks and comments. Thanks everyone in advance!</p>