Plan of Action (what should I do?) - Need some good advice from lots of people!

Applying to College
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<p>Okay, so I'm in a bit of a dilemma here, and I don't know what to do.</p>

<p>I'm a Canadian student out of British Columbia and I'm starting to hear back from universities.</p>

<p>I only applied to 5 Canadian universities and ONE United States university which I didn't get into (Stanford). </p>

<p>I've been accepted into U of Calgary, Waterloo, and Queen's (however, did NOT get into their BCom program which I wanted to get into, instead they offered me a place in their BA program where I can eventually transfer into the BCom program in my senior uni years).</p>

<p>I am still waiting for UBC and U of T, but should here from them soon.</p>

<p>Now, here's the dilemma. </p>

<p>I have always wanted to go to a top American university - it's my dream, but last year, I honestly did not know what an SAT was until probably November - so you can imagine I was really pushing it with the admission deadlines, and in fact, i didn't even write my SAT II's (so obviously Stanford declined me). </p>

<p>I am in grade 12 NOW...and I have to decide what to do - do I go to a Canadian university, or do I take 1 year off school and reapply and really get ahead for next year (start studying early, and even retake SAT's until I get the scores I need), not to mention, apply extremely early for any Ivy leagues and ensure my applications are as good as possible.</p>

<p>Now, what do I have to lose? I strongly feel I will get into UBC Vancouver, mainly because I was called up to attend their annual "BDC Enterprize" business conference which is essentially as hard to get into as the university itself, so I'm fairly confident I will get into the university. Also, UBC has a great "gap year" program, so I'm fairly sure I'd be able to confirm my position at the university while still taking a year off and going the following year. The states has something very similar to this, right?</p>

<p>Anyways, so here's option A and option B in simple terms:</p>

<p>A) I take the opportunities I have and go to any of the Canadian ones I've been accepted into (btw, I'm in grade 12 now, so I'd be going in September, 2007)
B) I take a year off, use UBC's gap year program as something to fall back on if all else fails, start studying and applying as SOON as possible and make sure I do very well on my SAT's. I'll even apply to Queen's a few other Canadian ones I'd like to get into that I missed last year.</p>

<p>Now...why do I need this 'second chance'? Basically, I live in a small town and go to a small public high school that really doesn't influence its students to go anywhere else but the local colleges. I was extremely misinformed, and nobody ever suggested the states. It was not until I spoke to a friend overseas that was mentioning how good the states were for business that it even crossed my mind that I'd like to pursue an education outside of my own country.</p>

<p>Anyways,</p>

<p>Let me know what u think...and give some feedback. Here are a few questions too...</p>

<p>Is a year off good? Do universities frown upon students that need, or take "second chances"?</p>

<p>Is it good to rewrite your SAT's? Do universities also consider that you have written them more than once...does this lower your chances of getting into top schools?</p>

<p>Is it troublesome to acquire transcripts, and any reference letters if you aren't enrolled in highschool at the time you apply? </p>

<p>Would I have to explain to the university in "extenuating circumstances" why I decided to take a year off. (also note, I am going to be doing some volunteer work overseas, as well as working and traveling nearly full time. This year off isn't JUST to reapply and rewrite SAT's)</p>

<p>Thanks guys. Sorry for the long post ;)</p>

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<p>I don't see whats wrong in attending th univeristy in canada (option A). I'm not sure what colleges think of taking a year off, but why would you want to waste that time? I don't think its worth it. If you really want to eventually end up in an American school, you could transfer later.</p>

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<p>Are your stats good for Stanford and the equal?</p>

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<p>I want to go to ivy leagues...really good schools.</p>

<p>My GPA is 4.0 at 92% average.
My SAT scores are low, so I would retake them with the year off and try to get over the 2000 mark.
My Extra Curricular's are good (lots of volunteer work, I own my own ecommerce business that is successful among thousands of other sites in its niche, high level soccer player, attended Shad Valley at McMaster uni etc..)</p>

<p>I really want to go to a school like this, so I don't know, I can definately get into a university next year that's canadian, so that's my back-up...and why not take the risk to at least aim for an American ivy?</p>

<p>I don't see it as waisted time either. Lots of people take a year off to embrace the freedom to travel before devoting their lives to school and work. I also want to work lots to save more money towards university and help my parents out (especially if I was to get into an ivy league school..my parents can pay for it, but I just feel bad making them pay for it all without putting much of a contribution into it)</p>

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<p>I'd say you have a chance (at least a chance) at most ivy league schools, but I am not sure if taking a year off would be a bad a thing for you, but I guess you have the back up plan (going to UBC)...</p>

<p>Does anyone know if u have a lower chance of getting accepted if u aren't coming straight out of grade 12?</p>

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<p>You need more than a 2000 for Stanford. People do get in with those scores but few... Try getting 2100+</p>

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<p>2100, okay...</p>

<p>And - does stanford require SAT II's? What sort of scores would I need on those?</p>

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<p>Yes, I believe 2 and the scores you need should be at least 700.</p>

<p>You can find out more general questions and answers at Stanford's website. You'd be surprised of how much you will actually gain from its Q&A.</p>

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<p>Will finances be an issue? Top American Private schools are expensive ($40,000 -- $50,000 per/year). Financial aid is limited -- especially if you apply as an International (you would need to check each school to see what the policy is for Canadians). you also wouldn't be eligible for any federal or state aid -- so you would need to rely entirely on institutional aid.</p>

<p>Your GPA sounds good -- but with low SAT scores and no SAT II scores yet, you might think of aiming a bit lower than the Ivies. yes, you can prep for the SAT and raise the score -- but there is a limit to how much it can realistically be raised. SAT II tests are much more difficult once you have been out of school -- it is best to take those right after you finish the class in that subject.</p>

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<p>The thing about the ivys and Stanford is sure, they accept lots of folks with 4.0GPAs and 2100 SATs with good ECs. But they also reject lots of folks with 4.0 GPAs and 2100 SATs and good ECs. They have way too many wonderful, qualified students applying, so even with good stats its no guarantee. In the US students usually also apply to "safety" schools. You already have those. If it's really important to you, and you can hold onto your opportunities at those great Canadian colleges in case the American schools don't pan out, then sure, you can try. </p>

<p>SAT are often taken many times. Most schools actually take your highest score from each test over however many sitting you have. This is why you have kids with incredibly high scores taking the test again to go for the elusive 2400. As someone else mentioned, SAT IIs kind of assume you just finished the class. So you may have a quite a bit of review to do to do okay on those.</p>

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<p>Okay thank you.</p>

<p>hsmomstef - I would need financial aid, but it would most likely come out of a loan with a bank, so I wouldn't say on the application I need financial aid.</p>

<p>UCDAlum82 - Yes, meanwhile, I'd have UBC Vancouver, or maybe Queen's as my back-up Canadian schools if all fails miserably :)</p>

<p>To everyone:</p>

<p>When I register and submit an application, would I do it the same way if I were still in school? I'd have my marks 100% finalized, so I'd just send my complete grade 12 transcript, right? Would this mean I'd get a reply faster?</p>

<p>Oh...and what is the BEST time to apply to the ivy's? Is it probably best to go for early action instead of regular action?</p>

<p>One more question, so you're saying that the SAT (reasoning test) can be written as many times as you want, and they just take the highest score?</p>

<p>I'm worried about the SAT, because I remember when I wrote it, I seemed so pressed on time, and the vocabulary was very high...it was like a bunch of jargon to me. I didn't study at all, and being in Canada, the SAT is quite the different type of test...so, if I'm going to do this, I'm going to need to be studying the RIGHT materials. What do you guys suggest I study? I'm a smart guy, but the kind of guy that needs to review and look over similar questions...I find I'm not good at thinking fast on the spot and it's no wonder I didn't do too well on my last SAT. Are those SAT help books worth studying? Do they actually help you on the SAT...because I know each test is different, I doubt you'd get repeats for questions. And, what vocab words are on the SAT, because I know I found that the hardest...if I had those down packed, I'd have gotten way better.</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

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<p>Very few unhooked candidates get into any ivy with a 2100. So if you're not an athlete, legacy, URM or have a real hook, it probably doesn't make sense to take a year off to try again. To get into an ivy it would still be a reach with a 2250/99%. If your high school does not send many to top US colleges, chances are low even with very top grades and scores. Also, if you take college classes, most schools will no longer let you apply as a freshman.</p>

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<p>If you are really obsessed about IVYS, you can take a year off and try. But there is no assurance you will get in. Probably <20% chance. Good luck!</p>

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<p>It seems to me that this is not a good move for me... :(</p>

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<p>bump! - no posts for a while :(</p>

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<p>Unfortunately, I have to agree with the other posters. You can really do everything "right" and still not have that great (probably less than 50% even with absolutely EVERYthing "right") a chance at getting into an Ivy, even if you apply to all of them. I think that you should go to whatever Canadian university you want, throw yourself into life there, and either be happy there, or decide that you want to try to transfer, in which case hopefully you will have worked hard and set yourself up well for that (although again, the Ivies are far, far from open doors for transfers either).</p>

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<p>Your stats are on the low end for a Stanford/Ivy.</p>

<p>It would be a better idea for you to go to a university in Canada and get a 4.0 and apply as a transfer applicant. It would be really expensive though--$45k US on average.</p>

<p>UBC, Queen's, and U of T are very good schools--they don't have great reputations here in the states, but you would be very well prepared at a low cost.</p>

<p>I'd say McGill is the most prestigious Canadian uni if you wanted to look into transferring.</p>

<p>But if your heart is set on Ivy, then probably getting good marks (4.0) at a good Canadian university would be your best shot.</p>