<p>I think that your situation is very unique and basically everything that has been said so far in this forum DOES NOT APPLY TO YOUR CHILD.</p>
<p>First off, he is accomplishing things 4-5 (and as you hint maybe even what, 6 or 7?) years ahead of his age-group here in America. The fact that he is capable of such things is alarming.</p>
<p>I would suggest that he take actual tests or get proof of his competency in those higher undergraduate mathematics courses. Perhaps he can compete in some international or national mathematics competition? Just prove his competency in his passion past his grades–with the level of understanding and emotion he targets the subject, I’m sure he’d be delighted to.</p>
<p>Even if that’s not possible, I would say the fact that he’s only 15.5 when he applies will be a huge factor as to whether or not colleges accept him. I think that they would be extremely interested in having such a student; colleges are, after are, institutions of education and admissions officers would hate to delay or hurt any potential your child has (His low age is a huge advantage for him!)</p>
<p>Now in response to each of your questions:</p>
<ol>
<li>Even if he did not do well in subjects like history and geography, I do realize that he must have been 12.5 and 13.5 when he took such subjects. I do not believe that this will affect his resume heavily for multiple reasons. A) Your child does not live in the United States, so I doubt he would be naturally proficient as US History (Assuming that is the course) and also B) He has been accelerated, which shows that his marks ought to be heavily inflated.</li>
</ol>
<p>I am concerned, however, with why your child was still elevated to a higher grade level even when he was not performing well? I feel that he should have dropped down a grade, or even a few grades, in history and geography in order to establish a stronger base. It is simply not necessary to maintain the same “grade level” of all subjects–if his strength is math, then that may have been the only subject where it was necessary to push him into additional grades. This is something you may want to consider or explore.</p>
<ol>
<li>His grades in chemistry and English are somewhat more fickle. Has your child been learning chemistry, history, and geography in English or in the foreign language that is his native tongue? If he has been learning them in English, it would be necessary to mention this, but if not, then I do not understand why he has been scoring poorly in Chemistry. Chemistry is mostly applied mathematics along with memorization–I am sure that he could have boosted these scores should he have desired.</li>
</ol>
<p>His competency in English, depending on how badly he scored, might or might not have been a huge factor. Do remember that when he applies for colleges they will take his overall resume into account–they will look at his grades from all 4 years; as long as if he shoes steady improvement and perseverance then it will be sufficient.</p>
<p>I cannot make any sorts of guarantees, of course, but if he is not seeking the highest tier colleges (the very best, like Harvard, Yale, Princeton) then I actually believe he is a SURE SHOT into most other colleges! :)</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I noted this earlier, being 15.5 as an applicant will NOT HURT HIM AT ALL. It will only impress the admissions officers. However, it may concern the college, as to whether or not the child can actually survive on the campus? Will you be coming with the child to America? Will you live with him? I am almost certain that if not, then it may become an issue, since the college will need to find a way to accommodate your child.</p></li>
<li><p>International applicants are simply considered in an entirely different category; he won’t be directly compared to any US applicants, but instead, with other foreign applicants. The difference, of course, will be how excellent he is in that category! Remember, the his strange school record will be compared with other records of similar sorts–if it is really hard to quantify, it may benefit him, since he will have little or no competition in his field.</p></li>
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<p>I remember once a student transferred from a local private school to our high school then easily got into Princeton because her grades for 3 years had come from a private school, so in addition with her senior year grades, it was hard for the college to compare her with students form other schools. As such, they accepted her more readily, because she didn’t have direct competition in her category.</p>
<p>Though this is a musing, I feel that it will help.</p>
<p>There is an unfortunate chance that the strange school record will disadvantage your child, but I am certain, with a situation as unique as yours a letter of explanation accompanying your child’s application must be sent; explain his schooling situation, his passion, his ability, and most of all, be sure to make clear your intentions of staying with him in the States if indeed you are! That is vital–otherwise they might be unsure of whether or not they need to accommodate him and care for him, like I mentioned earlier.</p>
<p>I wish you luck–your child seems to be exceedingly bright, and much, much better than I am in mathematics! :]</p>
and did not take interest in the chemistry labs. His first language is English and he does not have any problem in writing Good English, but he took time to get used to the literature and analysis side of the English curriculum. He is doing much better now. We have also decided that he will write the SAT last (after the subject tests) as that will give him more time to adjust to essay writing. He does very well with the reasoning and aptitude parts, but he needs to improve his essays. </p></li>