<p>Hello, I'll try and keep this as brief as possible. I'm a Canadian student with superb grades and SAT scores, 96% senior average, 760 Math, 710 Critical Reading, and 670 writing. </p>
<p>The problem is, I'll be twenty by the time I graduate. I had a very bad relationship with my parents growing up; when I started working at 15, I came up with this "bright" idea. In a moment of impulsive teenage irrationality, I began working 50-60 hours a week, and decided to move in with an older cousin of mine. At first, I tried really hard to keep my grades up while working full time, I eventually dropped out for 2 years. I'm now back in school full time, I've made peace with my parents, and the rest is history. </p>
<p>My question is, do schools like Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Columbia, and so on... factor in an
applicants age along with grades, SAT scores, and extracurricular activities?</p>
<p>Yes. But make sure you explain why you’re unlike your classmates in a <positive way=“”>, like all those stuff you just mentioned. They wanna know how you grew out of them as a mature person blah blah blah.</positive></p>
<p>They care about EVERYTHING that makes you different from everyone else.</p>
<p>I’m twenty-one and I’m in the same boat. Though I never went to high school.</p>
<p>The top US universities want ‘diversity’ on campus. In a sea of 18 year olds, older peers with life experience count for a lot.</p>
<p>But you might not be able to make up for poor high school grades. You can apply, but it might also be necessary to go to a community college in the US for a year or two and then transfer.</p>
<p>Unfortunately I would not call your SAT scores superb for ivy league schools. They are below average for any ivy.</p>
<p>That said, life experience can count for a lot. Hard work will be a plus. If you worked doing something interesting, a big plus.</p>
<p>All of your high school grades will be counted, so your post confuses me. First you said superb grades and then talked about trying to keep your grades up. The ivies will be looking for strong grades and ECs throughout high school.</p>
<p>There are many great schools besides the ivies you might also consider, especially if you don’t plan to retake the SATs.</p>
<p>If you tell us interests and budget, we can suggest some.</p>
<p>When looking at the SAT ranges, it’s important to factor in that 40% plus of the class has hooks and they are let in with lower scores. You’re looking at athletes, URMs, legacies, staff kids and big donor kids. Kids without a hook are likely to be near or above the top of the given ranges. The 75th percentile scores is the minimum the unhooked should aim for if they’re trying to get in based on academics.</p>
<p>When I began working full time, my grades started to suffer. I dropped out before the semester ended, and never took any of the exams; so the grades never registered on my transcript. </p>
<p>I do plan on retaking my SAT, I know for a fact that I wasn’t adequately prepared. With that being said, if my next attempt yields similar scores, and I can’t get into Ivy, I’ll most likely attend Mcgill or UofT. Unfortunately, I don’t think I stand a chance at any non international need-blind college. I’m one needy ■■■■■■■ = /.</p>
<p>You might have a shot if you have high achievements and a compelling story. There was an English guy in my daughter’s freshman dorm who was 22 years old and not a high school graduate. But he had founded and run his own successful company building infrastructure in developing countries. Even when he was fulltime freshman he would suddenly fly off for extended weekends - consulting with some foreign government in Africa or some place.</p>
<p>I agree that your SATs are not “superb.” Okay but nothing impressive for the Ivy League.</p>
<p>The consensus seems to be: there’s no harm in trying, maybe your different life could be compelling, but if not, you’ve lost nothing (but some application fees).</p>
<p>“Superb” was definitely the wrong word. What I really meant was, I perceive the scores as being adequate for Ivy League. On second thought, the scores are fairly mediocre for Ivy, especially for an international student, it gets pretty ****ing competitive considering we’re all trying to fit into that 3.5% of admitted students.</p>
<p>I would definitely recommend applying. It’s worth a shot. But have a realistic attitude. </p>
<p>Most important thing is to make that special history of yours shine in your essay. And do it POSITIVELY!! Your personal growth and what you learned from those experiences.</p>
<p>Don’t start complaining or sound like you’re less fortuate or whatever in your essay(s).</p>
<p>There are many schools that are not need blind to internationals that are still generous to the ones they want. There are also schools that treat Canadians as Americans rather than internationals for aid purposes.</p>
<p>A few schools to look at: Bates, Grinnell, Colgate–they are easier to get into than ivies and known to be generous to internationals.</p>