<p>I'm currently in 10th grade now and I would like to know if I still have a chance at getting to Harvard. I just arrived here in Canada from Nigeria, although I was originally from the Philippines (which makes me a "TCK"). Does this mean I have lots things to catch up on? Not basic stuff like English grammar (I hope, we had DOLs everyday and I practiced English as much as possible....so a lot of my friends here didn't even know I wasn't Canadian), but building a strong(er) application. I've been reading the other threads and I was wondering if Canada offers the same opportunities (in terms of EC's, etc) as in the US. Am I too late for this? Ever since I moved to an American Int'l School three years ago I've always aimed for Harvard...but never got the opportunities to do anything except excell in school (i had straight A's, lots of awards, and NJHS) instead of national contests and stuff. So again, am I just kidding myself about even thinking that I've any chance for Harvard? And even if I'm not too late, what provincial/national competitions are available in Canada (specifically in Alberta)? *just writing this makes me feel ridiculous..."provincial/national"--without much experience!!.. but I don't miss the Harvard opportunity. </p>
<p>BTW....I'm taking IB courses here and I think I'm doing pretty well (straight A's), but I'm really worried about my EC's---all I have are Math Club, Jazz Band, and Symphonic Band (which is considered the best high school band in Western Canada)--which are very weak nevertheless. These were the only things available to me then cuz i arrived here a month late from the schoolyear.</p>
<p>I live in canada too - toronto:) i'm also going for US schools, not Harvard particularly, but others... </p>
<p>In terms of ECs, you CAN find places/programs where you build up your resumee...it really depends on what field your in. You mentioned your in Alberta...my uncle's friend's son used to live there, and he went to harvard, so i'm sure there are lots of opportunities to polish ur resumee in alberta too. </p>
<p>The thing is, there are TONS of extra things that happen in America with which kids there build their EC's. However, there are different types of programs here too, and finding and participating in those things will give you an upper edge over the American applicants, since u will stand out as unique (assuming u keep ur scores high too).</p>
<p>I can tell u more if you tell me what field you plan to go into... for now, i think you should get in touch with the guidance counsellors at ur school and tell them that u want to get impressive ECs - trust me, guidance counsellors know A LOT about this sort of thing...</p>
<p>hi rafael- reading this forum can make anyone feel hopeless- don't stress. as for me, i consider myself to be a big dreamer. even though i'm no longer aiming for the top schools for my undergrad years, i do have harvard, yale, and columbia universities in mind for grad school. like you, i also come from the philippines. we had the choice to move to australia (which was closer to home), US, or canada but we chose the US, though we almost settled for australia. btw, how did you end up in nigeria? my parents lived there for several years, and i'm just curious what moved you in that direction. i think you've lived an interesting life, which you can use to make a strong case for admission. my advice to you, if it's not yet too late, is to take initiative in the coming years...as hard as it may be to make a difference in your community, it may very well be worth it. the effort and intitiative required are the very reasons why colleges find projects like that impressive.</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions, I feel somewhat relieved now.
About your uncle's son, do you know which high school he was in (if I'm not being too curious)? Does Harvard even care of those things? Anyway I followed your suggestion to talk to my guidance councellor about my EC's, and he only mentioned debate clubs, student gov't, and yearbook. Not undermining anything, I think juggling those activites and getting good grades at the same time is a difficult feat, but assuming that I succeed in those (not assuring I will), will they be enough?
Also, a little off the topic, someone told me today that the Alberta curriculum is one of the best in Canada (i think she was sort of biased though). Is that true?</p>
<p>Oh cool your also Pinoy? It's been a while since I've communicated with one. I couldn'd find any in Nigeria and in my current school. You're right, I could use my background to my advantage...."my experience in living different countries, got arm robbed the first week i arrived there (jk)."
How did I end up in Nigeria? Luck, I guess. My dad was offered a job there in an American company and my mom applied to the American school there. It was kinda hard for them to ignore big opportunities (not to mention the big bucks). So I lived there for three years before I left.
May I ask, which grade are you in now?</p>
<p>You should try to branch out, rather than falling in love with one highly selective school. It is great that you want to do well in high school, but attempt to have a good time and find some matches and safties can you can be enthusiasic about. Good luck in your search!</p>
<p>yes i have philippine blood in me. i'm one of only 4 in my school that has at least some ties to the pacific islands.</p>
<p>...."my experience in living different countries, got arm robbed the first week i arrived there (jk)." lol were you joking about mentioning that in your app or about you being robbed or both? must have been traumatizing. my mom always got pickpocketed in italy but nothing of that sort in nigeria.</p>
<p>"How did I end up in Nigeria? Luck, I guess. My dad was offered a job there in an American company and my mom applied to the American school there." same here...he worked as an engineer.</p>
<p>"May I ask, which grade are you in now?" 11th grade</p>
<p>i agree w/ yemaya. harvard is the worlds most famous school, but its not for everyone. for a while, i thought about it, but chose princeton instead for a host of reasons. dont choose whats best for everyone--choose what is best for rafi. if that happens to be harvard...great!</p>