I'm getting worried about college. Help PLEASE!

Applying to College
1

<p>I'm a tenth grader now.<br>
I've applied to prep schools twice, 3 years ago. I was waitlisted at all of the schools I applied to. I regret not calling the admissions office about how to get off the waitlist. Eventually I had to go to my local pulic school. </p>

<p>Problem is, I'm going to public school in China. I'm not sure if any of you are familiar with how the school system works here, but the way students apply for college here is completely different from how it works in the US. Students rarely have EC's or volunteering... They would'e had, if they had time, but they don't, as that's how schools work here. I've caught myself in a big mess right now, as I've lost volunteering for 2 years, and I've had little time for my EC's. (Debating, drawing, chorus)I go to an advanced boarding school over here, and I've been getting good grades, but that's no use for me. </p>

<p>I've been going back and forth between China and the US every two years throughout my ten years of school. (I was born in the US). I've had a ton of EC's and volunteering in the US, I was on the honors roll...etc. I do get good grades whichever school I've went to, and I've transferred schools 7 times. I was thriving at my school during my last years in America. However I've spent my recent three years of school in China, which is no big help. Unlike typical Chinese students who've went to the US for school from China, my family does not have money, and I'm going to have to apply for full FA or scholarhips for college. </p>

<p>My parents are sending me back to the US for 11th grade, only two years until college. I'm going to have to get used to a whole new school there, and I'm worrying about academics, nevertheless, college. The language is no problem, math and science will be ok for me... but I'm worrying about other subjects. How does AP work? What do I have to do to get adapted? I'm going to have a lot of catching up to do, and then I have the EC's to worry about...</p>

<p>Please do not think of me as an international student. I would rather be regarded as a Chinese-American student.</p>

<p>I want to start preparing for college now. Can anyone help me or give me suggestions on what to do? Thank you to everyone who took the time. I can give any extra information that you need.</p>

2

<p>Very few US colleges care about ECs. Stop worrying about that, firstly. Once you retn to the US, you’re free to choose those that interest you. You’ll be fine. I’m sure once you’re here, your HS will correctly place you in appropriate level courses, honors or APs if possible. You’ll be assigned to a guidance counselor who will act as your adviser. Good luck.</p>

3

<p>Thank you T26E4 so much for your advice. I’ll stop worrying about ECs. Also I realize you went to Yale? I show greatest respect towards you. :smiley: I’m trying to shoot for Yale.</p>

4

<p>OK then – if you’re shooting for ultra selective schools like Yale, they do consider ECs and other non-academic factors. Go to their respective websites for their evaluation criteria</p>

5

<p>Yes Yale will consider EC’s, but they won’t place HEAVY weight. EC’s cannot make or break an application. You could have 12 EC’s but an 1800 SAT, you are never going to Yale. You could have 3 EC’s but a 2300 SAT and you’re in a very good place.
Just do your homework and constantly talk to your new high school professors about what they expect, what you should to get good grades and what they hope you to do for their class and assignments.
Study for the SAT a lot, and actually, Ivies will most certainly appreciate your unique up bringing. Even though there are TONS of asian applicants and they are over represented (so it’s harder to get in as an Asian applicant) the fact that you lived in China and (I assume) are fluent in Chinese makes you URM, I would say. You’re in that unique category where it’s almost like you’re an international applicant, BUT a U.S. citizen, which takes away all the negatives of applying as an international student, since you are eligible for federal aid.
When applying I would also highlight the fact that your family does not have a lot of money, because colleges also like that here in the U.S.
best of luck</p>

6

<p>Thank you so much potatopancakes for the information! I’ve starting with SATs a long time ago, I hope I can stabilize that. Thanks for the upbringing part also. I’ll do my best.</p>