Looking for sincere help

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>This isn't one of those "what are my chances" posts, but rather "what do I have to do to consider posting a 'what are my chances'" post.</p>

<p>Here's some background about me.. I'm 16, attending gr 11 next year. Born in Russia, part Armenian. I'm doing the IB Diploma program (will that help me?). Living in Canada. Last month I decided that I want to go to an Ivy league school -- before that I was taking a "whatever" attitude, aiming to get into either UBC or Uni Toronto, doing the diploma to get some more scholarships. Now, last year I kinda cruised through all my pre-IB classes...not really cruised through, but I didn't time manage well. Most (90%+) of my assignments were started and completed the night before they were due, usually working until 5-ish in the morning. My grades were fairly good in the pre-IB subjects (94% EN, 95% socials (2 courses in 1 year, history/civics), 74% in FR, 88% MA) and even better in the IB courses (94% Bio11IB, 91% MA11IB -- did 1 semester of IB math after finishing math 10 early)</p>

<p>However, I realise that grades like that wouldn't even get my foot into any Ivy league school. I also feel that with greater dedication I would be able to get near perfect marks in most of my subjects. Greatest weakness is going to be English because there's nothing I can really "memorize" for that subject, so I'm looking for some books that will improve my writing skills. Maybe a book showing high level essays and examples and then highlighting the mistakes and strengths of the piece of writing -- there's got to be a book like that somewhere, and I need to find it. But that's beside the point.</p>

<p>Extra-curricular looks horrid. I used to play saxaphone (never at a high level) but quit in grade 10. Used to play basketball varsity in grade 9 at a junior high (up to gr 10), but quit that last year too. Never done any clubs or charity work. Here's the only thing that may be to my advantage, although I don't know how it would count towards EC: I'm a bodybuilder. I have a competition lined up in late 2007, but considering that bodybuilding doesn't get very much exposure I don't feel that many schools would see it as a plus. Maybe if I manage to compete in the Teen Nationals I'll get some recognition, but I really have no idea. What do you guys think? Personally I feel that bodybuilding is a very tough and prestigious activity, and requires a great deal if dedication...however I don't know if the schools will feel that way.</p>

<p>Alright, now I have a bunch of questions. I really don't know the first thing about university admissions. What would I have to do to maybe get considered? Also, what kind of EC's look good on your applications?</p>

<p>That's it for now.. thanks for the time and hopefully some answers.</p>

2

<p>"but considering that bodybuilding doesn't get very much exposure I don't feel that many schools would see it as a plus. Maybe if I manage to compete in the Teen Nationals I'll get some recognition, but I really have no idea. What do you guys think? Personally I feel that bodybuilding is a very tough and prestigious activity, and requires a great deal if dedication...however I don't know if the schools will feel that way." wrong. it's actually a great hook. colleges love to see something unusual about someone, so your perception is actually backwards :).</p>

3

<p>wrong. it's actually a great hook. colleges love to see something unusual about someone, so your perception is actually backwards </p>

<hr>

<p>Ok, maybe, but I'm not sure if they'll realize the amount of time spent doing it, or see it as an excellent indication of my character..</p>

4

<p>Vado, my advice to you is to keep up your work on bodybuilding if it means much to you, and if you could keep your grades at such a high level it would be appreciated by American colleges because in fact Canadian schools grade much less leniently and the universities know it. Also, a sidenote about the SAT's: before you take them do many practice tests for a few months before the actual exam, it can guarantee you a good result. At first you may be discouraged with bad results on practice tests but it will improve as you go along.
Ne puha ne pirra!
-mark</p>

5

<p>thanks, what about this though: is it possible to, after finishing senior year in HS, to take a year off to raise credentials? Like having a year to get better SAT scores, more EC's, stuff like that? Also I feel that if I enter the Teen Nationals after my senior year I may actually have a chance of placing top 3, and then the high placement at the contest will look better on my application? Or do you have to apply right after your senior year?</p>

6

<p>bumpage..</p>

<p>-vadox6466</p>