What are my chances? (Canadian applicant)

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I'm currently in grade eleven. I'm thinking about applying to the USA for university but I'm not too sure yet.</p>

<p>Do I need to take the SATs in order to apply or could I get in without them?</p>

<p>Also, I was wondering if I could get into any decent American schools (preferably Ivy leagues?). I'll describe myself below:</p>

<p>-quite a lot of financial need (my mom's a secretary and my dad has been out of work for two years due to an injury)
-92-95% student (4.0 GPA)
-was a youth councilor for a term in my city
-president of the athletic council
-on three other councils in the school
-on three sports teams
-volunteer for kids help phone
-tutor
-reading buddies (library)
-homework club
-worked at a camp for the last two summers
-hold a part-time job during the year as well
-COIN for the last two years
-Work at summer camp
-Work in a store
-have started a Kids Help Phone club at my school
-volunteer in an old age home</p>

<p>And I plan to do more.</p>

<p><em>Since I'm only in grade eleven, do you think you could tell me what more I could do in order to increase my chances of getting accepted?</em></p>

<p>Thanks for all the help.</p>

2

<p>you absolutely need to take the SAT. and you’re probably out of reach for ivies. look into less competitive LACs.</p>

3

<p>Hm. I wouldn’t say you were out of reach for the ivies at the moment, but it’s definitely harder to tell without you having done SATs/SAT IIs already. You’ll defo need to take them.</p>

4

<p>A couple of things.</p>

<p>Probably should have started this earlier, at least chosen which universities you want to apply to, and take the SATs. For Canadian schools, you can afford to slack off until December, but if you’re applying to American schools you better get on it, and quick. Lots to do and lots to think about.
Yes you need SATs for pretty much every American university.
You probably need more focused, prominent extracurriculars rather than a “laundry list”.
I hate it when people apply to Ivy Leagues just because they’re Ivy Leagues. There are many other schools that are very good and would be better fits, as well as being easier to get into. Do some research.</p>

<p>cdover: I would say ivies are out of reach. ECs unfocused, not unique, don’t show talent. some leadership, but again, the passion/focus doesn’t show.</p>

5

<p>1) improve the extracurriculars, they aren’t great</p>

<p>2) take the SAT, you need it. make sure you do well. </p>

<p>3) don’t expect too much especially since you’re an FA applicant in these volatile times.</p>