<p>First off, I was born in Boston, so I'm a US citizen. Universities I'd especially like are Harvard, Princeton, Yale, MIT, Brown, Columbia, Stanford...</p>
<p>I'm an international student in Turkey, starting grade 11 this year. I take the IGCSE and A-level system. I understand how extremely slim my chances are, but I am taking this very seriously. I will be taking the SAT and SAT Subject Tests this year, and I wish to study Medicine. To people who know the IGCSE system:</p>
<p>IGCSE grades:</p>
<p>English as a Second Language: A+
Physics: A+
Maths: A+
Biology: A+
Chemistry: A
Computer Sciences: C (because of my incompetent teacher.. I think it's the highest in the grade though, luckily it's not one of the subjects considered important)</p>
<p>Average: A+ or A (I will need to see my numbers first). I believe this makes a GPA of 4?</p>
<p>Valedictorian of the grade.</p>
<p>I'm going to start school in a week, with the A-level education system from England. I'll be taking Literature, Physics, Biology, Chemistry and Maths (I think it's a plus that I'm taking 5 subjects, most people don't even dare to take 4). It is the most rigorous curriculum available (if I recall correctly, each subject is tougher than the AP of it) and the maximum offered by the school is 5 subjects. People very rarely take 5 subjects in this school. I've seen people accepted into Harvard with only 3 A-levels, which is the minimum required for the college. Harvard wants 3 A-levels with the grade A or B.</p>
<p>I understand that Ivies recommends studying History and a foreign language. I am fluent in Turkish, so I believe I have that covered. Regrettably, my school does not allow students to be in the Science group and take History at the same time in high school. If I conveyed this to them, would they still penalize me?</p>
<p>Currently, I believe I'm lacking in extracurriculars.</p>
<ul>
<li>Captain of the school's football team (grade 9)</li>
<li>Prefect (all throughout high school, I believe)</li>
<li>Writing consistently for the year book, interviewing the Vice Principal for it</li>
<li>Making and reading the Principal's departure (grade 9)</li>
<li>Chosen best promising actor in an acting tournament (this was in the summer holiday between grade 7 and 8, would this help?)</li>
<li>Voice acting for children's English teaching books in grades 7 and 8 (not high school again)</li>
</ul>
<p>Unfortunately, with the advent of the new Principal, I could not participate in barely any extracurriculars. In the junior and senior year, I'm hoping for new extracurriculars, such as becoming the Head Boy of the school and being the editor of the school's newsletter. I MAY email the Principal about this, to let me participate in as many extracurriculars as possible. I hope that the people in charge of my admission can understand that my school is extremely limited in extracurriculars (how would I show this to them?). Nevertheless, I will participate as much as I can. If I try, I could probably convince the Principal to make me the valedictorian of the school (unless someone brighter and more serious than me comes along). Is it worth it to email her about this? She's always striving to find new things to put. I believe I could use that as an advantage.</p>
<p>Also, my mother was a student at Harvard, attempting to get her Masters degree, but she got pregnant with me and she had to leave (I'm evil). Would this help? Not much of a legacy, but I doubt it would. </p>
<p>What are my chances? I realize it's a bit early for this but I want to get adjusted as soon as possible and get accepted. What should I do for my top choices?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance.</p>