Little Opportunity - Canadian High school?

International Students
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<p>I am a grade 9 student in Ontario, Canada and am aiming for the Ivy League (Preparing now due to the tough work involved). My school offers 5 AP courses (I will take all 5) and the rest are either academic or applied (I'm taking all academic). There are very little chances for regional or national competition (Absolutely no one cares in my school).</p>

<p>Since i statistically took the most challenging courseload in my high school, and could not go to many competitions, will the adcoms take this into account? Keep in mind that my school has 0 "honors" courses, so I'm stuck in academic classes because they are the best you can take. I have a 95%+ average in all of them because they are so easy (Probably grade 7 stuff by American standards), and I am NOT allowed to take courses not for my grade. Its not my fault i don't go to some American school with 25 AP courses and international awards, but i did the best with what i got. Will they realize this?</p>

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<p>Which is more dumbed down, Ontario or the average US, K-12 standards?</p>

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<p>The main problem i have is that the system here doesn’t challenge me enough, unlike American schools where you can take AP courses, SAT and other standardized exams and compete for top universities. Considering that the top university in Canada (Lets just say its University of Toronto, its closest to me) has nearly a 70% acceptance rate (With a low 80’s average required for admissions to most programs), why am i working so hard to get a high 90’s average? To get some extra cash for university? If you consider all of this, the U.S has higher standards (Especially in the eyes of someone like me), and i absolutely love standardized testing (Which Canada has none of). Academic classes are too easy for me, and there’s no competition because university education is guaranteed. </p>

<p>P.S: All this coming from the 4th best high school in Ontario (Fraser institute ranking): Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School.</p>

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<p>arceuz, I’m not sure why you feel the need for competition, in either high school or in college. As someone who has lived in both countries and whose children attended schools in both countries, I can assure you that the differences in education, even with AP or IB, are just not that significant. Good students from Canada have no more trouble getting into good U.S. colleges than good students from the U.S. do. As for the admissions standards at Canadian universities, it’s because of a different policy standard. All are public institutions so admission is not as complicated as it is for U.S. schools. Yes, U of T may have a high acceptance rate but to do well there is no cake walk. My Ds who attend/attended U of T got every bit as great an education as their sisters who went to U.S. colleges.</p>

<p>Don’t pay attention to high school rankings. I’ve never heard of your high school, even though it may be the 4th best in Ontario. Without looking at the criteria used, I have no idea how anyone, including the Fraser Institute, can provide a reliable ranking of high schools. And even if they could, what help would it be to anyone? Universities and colleges have a data base of high schools across North America, and even beyond now,that tracks the success in first year of students by high school. That information is useful to the universities to a certain extent but other than that, high school rankings aren’t terribly useful.</p>

<p>Take the most challenging curriculum available to you,work hard, involve yourself in ECs that interest you, get a part-time job, develop friendships, all those things will lead to a satisfying college admissions outcome if you do them well, and beyond that to a successful life and a valuable member of society.</p>

<p>I would also caution you about divulging too much personal information here on the forums, e.g., your high school name.</p>

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<p>I also moved to Toronto, Ontario recently, and found myself transitioning from a relatively rigorous British school to an educational system more aptly fitted for 7th graders with severe limitations in written expression. I am a 9th grader in the 2nd best in city school, by Fraser Institute rankings, and I find myself getting top grades without the need for any effort whatsoever (or minimal one). Contrary to your school, mine offers neither AP nor IB courses, and I am seriously considering switching into the IB program in grades 11 and 12, although I find course selections for the latter to be limited in public schools.</p>

<p>Moreover, I am a competitive debater who took top ranks in ICYD at Oxford University last year, however, due to the recent teachers’ strike, I was unable to compete while affiliated with my school. Being unable to pursue one of my passions, I have found myself in a literal ditch - hating my life in Toronto, and hence abstaining from involving myself in the surrounding community. It does not help that my school has a very strict hierarchy, and hence, many positions of leadership are not open to me.</p>

<p>I can definitely sympathise with your desperation. If I find away around taking AP courses through self study, on a limited budget (why else would I emigrate to Canada?), I will definitely message you.</p>

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<p>Hey guys</p>

<p>I also live in Ontario and I hate the teacher government issues going on. I also can’t compare the Canadian education to anything since I’ve always been going to school here but I do find myself bored with the rigour of the courses.</p>

<p>However instead letting these things make me depressed, I go looking for things to do. Even though the school isn’t doing anything, the local community is. I’ve joined some clubs in the community and some students are self leading the school clubs. Toronto is a big city so go see what it has to offer! </p>

<p>As for being bored with the classes talk to your guidence counsler at your high school. Ask them if you can take extra classes after school or online. If not, there are universities now a days giving out free courses online. Go do them. And if none of this is enough, expand your own knowledge! Read books, self teach yourself something!</p>

<p>I agree that in Canada there isn’t many opportunities, but there are some. If you go looking you’ll find something!</p>

<p>Sent from my LG-P505R using CC</p>

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<p>I know this is an oldish thread, but anyway :stuck_out_tongue: </p>

<p>I believe that Pierre Elliot Trudeau allows students to “fast-track”, and take courses beyond their grade level. I know this because several of my friends currently attend P.E.T. and are taking advanced courses (e.g. Grade 11 Biology, Chemistry, and Math in Grade 10). I believe P.E.T. also offers the “gifted” program, although you need to test into that. Also, your school offers MANY math and science competitions (e.g. Waterloo math contests, Math@Mac contests, the National Biology Competition), so although you might need to ask around to register for them, they are there! Oh yeah, one more thing: the Ontario equivalent of “honours” is “enriched”. </p>

<p>If you find that your school isn’t challenging enough, as fayasi mentioned, there’s always the option of IB or other programs, such as TOPS. You can also supplement your courses by self-studying AP courses that you take an interest in to challenge yourself more.</p>

<p>Also, as alwaysamom has said; take the Fraser Institute rankings with a grain of salt. Firstly, they base their rankings solely on test performance (EQAO and OSSLT, since there aren’t that many ways to rank schools objectively other than through these tests), which doesn’t really give an accurate representation of how rigorous the school is (especially since schools in high-income neighbourhoods tend to score consistently higher than those in lower-income neighbourhoods). Furthermore, many schools (including mine) are not even included in the rankings (most private schools aren’t), and there is no differentiation between the specialized academic programs within a school, and the school as a whole (e.g. Marc Garneau is only ranked 546th out of 718, however, the TOPS program at Marc Garneau is arguably the best program in Ontario for math/science.</p>

<p>Finally (last thing, I promise), although Canadian universities such as U of T are much easier to get in than their American counterparts, a much higher percentage don’t end up graduating from the more competitive programs (most switch to a less rigorous program, or drop out completely). Canadian universities are not subpar to American ones, only more accessible/easier to get into.</p>

<p>Sorry for the long reply :P</p>

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<p>I guess there aren’t many opportunities to study English grammar in Canada either.</p>

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<p>Yes OrchidBloom, I’ll be asking my guidance counselor soon about the possibility of taking these courses, as they will provide me with a backup plan. If I’m able to take (for example: grade 11 math, science) then I’ll be able to take 2 years worth of grade 12 courses, allowing for me to submit A.P scores from the exams on my application. This will also let me take all the nice grade 12 business courses, so if things go wrong then i can still apply for a top business program here in Canada. </p>

<p>Just a question, are you also aiming to go to an American university? Ivy League? :P</p>

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<p>Yay! I heard that some of your guidance counselors can be a bit…hesitant in letting students fast-track so be insistent :P</p>

<p>That sounds like a good plan…I’m guessing you’d like to go into business?</p>

<p>I’m not too sure about where I’m going yet…but most likely yes. I’ll probably apply to a few reach/match schools in America.</p>