<pre><code>Ever since I was young, I've had a passion for Technology and astrophysics. This passion is enormous and has extended thoroughly to theoretical Physics recently as I have read Anthony Hawking's books. I LOVE Physics.
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<p>Now, I've been living in Lebanon until this year " my senior year ". There were no opportunities for me or anything. I also fought the educational system there because it obstructed my passions and dreams. In that kind of revolution, I plummeeted from 1st to almost last in my class. " 1st 1-9 grades ".</p>
<p>I have a 28 on the ACT and retook it hoping to get somewhere.in the 30s. However, when they transferred my transcripts they calculated a 2.5 GPA which kills any chances I have to colleges. Ofcourse, the system in lebanon doesn't allow you to take high scores. As in, the most you can reach is 90% in any class and.to.reach it you have to do ridiculous amounts of totally uneducational work.</p>
<p>Where should I apply and what should I do? Im in Michigan currently and I know you'll tell me to forget it but im applyig to MIT anyways because it's my dream but unrealistic school. </p>
<p>I would like to major in physics and go on to a PHD in Astro or theoretical.</p>
<p>Do you believe that your grades from Lebanon were converted fairly? Organizations that specialize on international credential evaluation often convert 70% and 80% grades from other countries to American As. If your high school imposed American standards onto your Lebanese transcript (90-100 = A, 90-80 = B, or something like that), you could consider having your Lebanese transcript evaluated by another organization (e.g. by WES). A higher GPA might improve your admission odds significantly.</p>
<p>If that doesn’t work, your best bet might be to attend a community college for a year and then transfer. Then you would have your American senior year grades (higher than the 2.5 average?) and one semester’s worth of college classes to demonstrate your academic ambitions.</p>
<p>Keefak! I’m also from lebnan. I know the system is really messed up there…you know what you can do? Try explaining the situation while applying to schools. Maybe you can apply to the University of Michigan, which is still an excellent school, and then you can either transfer in a year or two or go to MIT for graduate school. Just don’t forget to explain your situation to the admissions officers (they know that there are lots of problems in Lebnan…and they know that the school system is really different from the one here) Don’t worry, though. They’ll see your passion and maybe even possible research projects you’ve done.</p>