Is it too late?

Applying to College
1

<p>I live in Canada, I am going into 11th grade, and I attend a small private school that has only been open a few years. Until now I have not been worried about my education and getting into universities. I have two sisters, one who graduated as salutatorian, and now attends University of Washington, and one who attends Western Washington University. I have realized how serious getting a university education is and I want to improve, but I am wondering if it is too late. I believe it is important to note, that my goal in life is to become a doctor, more specifically a cardiac surgeon.</p>

<p>I have been at this school since grade 8 and I maintain around a 83% average. At the school I attended before I had a 98% average, so I know that I can improve. If I am able to pull my marks up to an average of over 95% will I still have a chance to get into an ivy league school? I have been told that I have a chance if I score high on the SAT's. First of all, is this true? Secondly, from what I understand, in order to take the SAT's I have to sign up, and write the test near the end of grade 11. Can anyone confirm if this is what I am supposed to do? Also, I have heard about another test called the ACT. What exactly is this test for, and is that also written around this time of year? </p>

<p>In order to answer these questions I will give a little bit of info about my school life. This coming school year (Grade 11) I am taking the most challenging courses that the school offers. My classes are basically:</p>

<p>English Language Arts 11
Principles of Math 11
Social Studies 11
Physics 11
Chemistry 11
Biology 11
Spanish 11
Band 11</p>

<p>This year my school is introducing AP classes for the first time. They are offering AP Calculus and AP English Language and Composition. This is a guess, but I think my classes will be these in grade 12:</p>

<p>AP English Language and Composition (The requirement is a 80% in English 11)
History 12
Band 12
Possibly all three, probably 2 of these sciences:
Biology 12
Chemistry 12
Physics 12
Principles of Math 12</p>

<p>Now what I am wondering is for Calculus, there is a Calculus class and an AP Calculus class. I spoke with my councillor and was told that I could take Math 12 and Calculus 12 in the same year, but I did not ask her if I could take Math 12 and AP Calculus 12 in the same year. My question for you is, is it possible to do AP Calculus without ever doing Calculus before? If not, would it be smart to take Calculus over the summer so that I am prepared for AP Calculus? Also, considering that my school only offers these two AP classes will I have a harder chance getting into a university considering other schools offer more classes?</p>

<p>As for extra curricular activities I do four sports a year. Cross country and soccer in the first term, nothing in the second term, track and field and golf in the final term. For participating in a school team we get our Physical Education credit. I am also going to participate in our school's jazz band and run for student council. Is it worth doing all these sports or would it not make much of a difference if I dropped to one sport each term?</p>

<p>My school has a VED (voluntary extended day) from 3:15 to 5:00. The class I would be taking in this time is Model United Nations 11. However, I believe this will conflict with my sports schedule and possibly give me less time to study. Considering my current class load is it worth taking this extra class?</p>

<p>The last thing I want to ask is a bit about the order of things. This is mainly what I think I am supposed to be doing right now, however many of you have gone through this so I would appreciate it if you could tell me if I am headed in the right direction. </p>

<p>First, achieve an average of atleast 95% in grade 11.
Second, right the SAT's and ACT's some time near the end of grade 11.
(One quick question, are these tests mainly testing your knowledge of grade 11 and 10 or basically everything? Also, should I be studying for these tests right now?)
Third, apply to universities near the start of grade 12.
Last, considering options and go from there.</p>

<p>I realize its basic, but this is what I understand I need to do. If there are any other tests I should take, or anything I should know I would appreciate the feedback.</p>

<p>I apologize for the long post, but this is very important to me and I would highly appreciate any guidance you can give me.</p>

2

<p>I have been reading through the forums and I stumbled upon a thread talking about self-studying AP's. Does this mean that if I order the books and study it myself, I can take the test and if I pass I get the full credit for the class? Also, is self-studying AP's primarily for grade 12 students or could I do some in grade 11.</p>

3

<p>You can do APs whenever you want, and yes, if you score high, you will get credit at colleges(not all of them). For the Ivies, you will need to have great overall package(meaning high SAT or ACT scores, high grades at school, and impressive extracurricular activities). You can take the ACT or the SAT for college admissions. The ACT is used for the same purpose as the SAT, but its a different type of test. You should take the SATs or the ACTs in 11th grade or the start of 12th grade. I will give you some advice though: don't just aim for the Ivies, look at other colleges. There are many great colleges with as good an education as the Ivies.</p>

4

<p>my advice for the SAT/ACTs:</p>

<p>DON'T bother studying the first time you take either (for me, it was May/June of grade 11) </p>

<p>take both, see which you do better on</p>

<p>the one you feel you did better on (or liked more) study for and take again in the fall of grade 12</p>

5

<p>ACTs and SATs don't really test knowledge, so it's very easy for English-speaking foreigners to prepare for them. They test how well you can apply your knowledge. Most American students have enough education by the time they are in 9th or 10th grade to take the tests; after that, you just have to be familiar with the formats of the questions. You can take either test throughout the year, though there are select testing dates. American students frequently test in October/November and March/April.</p>

<p>About self-studying APs: In the event that your school does not allow you to take AP Calculus, you can take the regular course. But then you can take the AP test at the end of the year. It costs something like US$85. You might also want some study books. Some good brands that American students use are Barrons and Princeton Review. The books are usually less than US$25, so don't order textbooks. Just order the AP review books.</p>

<p>I must admit, your GPA is a tad low for Ivy admissions. And I'm wondering how realistic it is to improve your GPA by 12 points in just one year. Anyway, some good schools for you to consider are University of Pennsylvania, Cornell, Johns Hopkins, and top public universities like UC Berkeley, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio State, and Penn State. University of Washington is good if you don't mind following your sister. I'm assuming you live in Alberta or British Columbia based on where your siblings went to school.</p>

<p>Be careful in your college search. The US has many very small universities, which I don't think Canada has too many of. Some top science colleges like Harvey Mudd have only 1000 students or so - way lower than average Canadian universities. If you don't think you'd fit well at a small school, those probably aren't good places to apply.</p>

<p>As for your question, is it too late? Not really, but you wouldn't have wanted to wait any longer. Now is the time you should start preparing for SAT/ACT and raising your GPA. Also look into the AP program and check out your options.</p>

<p>Hope that post was helpful.</p>