I’m an international student from Egypt. In our education system, college admissions are based only on the final year (Grade 12), so most students don’t focus much on Grade 10 or 11.
Because of this, my Grade 10 and 11 marks aren’t strong, but I’m doing well in Grade 12. I’m concerned that my earlier grades might send a poor signal to colleges abroad that don’t know this context. Will admissions officers understand this? Should I explain it in the additional information section?
They understand this and nevertheless US universities expect you to have been the best from year 9 on if you expect admission to a super selective university with a scholarship. Any top 30 university/LAC will expect you to be motivated by learning in itself, not by an exam. Do NOT include this in any section of your application since it’d attract attention to something they can see by themselves and don’t want to hear a half baked excuse for, especially since your “reason” makes it even worse in their eyes.
Canadian universities only use the last 2 years so that may work out better for you.
Some universities in the US do not use your 12th grade results, unless you have official exam results already certified by an external group (like, A Level results). They do use your course list to estimate how competitive/rigorous your schedule is.
Lots of universities will accept you if you have decent but not superb results.. as long as you are full pay.
You should also pay attention to US news (USAToday is easy to read; online, you’ll find “Today, explained” - excepts of which your English teachers may have used in class- or podcast NYT’s The Daily; ProPublica, a non profit journalism outfit, produces some long readings at the level you’d be expected to be able to handle in college).
I just wanted to clarify that I’ve always been motivated by learning, but in specific areas. In Grade 10 and 11, I focused a lot on competitive programming and spent much of my time preparing for and participating in contests. That’s where most of my energy went, and I’ve been actively involved in that field through various competitions.
Also, I’ll be applying as a gap year student, so I believe my Grade 12 results — which I’ve been more focused on — will carry more weight in my application. I understand that top schools look for consistent academic performance, but I hope my commitment to a specialized area and academic improvement can still show my potential.
also my grade 10 and 11 results don’t reflect my true academic ability, but I hope my Grade 12 performance and standardized test scores will better represent my potential
Do you have any financial need? Also, i might suggest keeping up with news regarding the US and international students. By all means explain that you were working hard in an area of interest for those years when your grades were not as high. You might want to investigate a wide selection of colleges. For instance ctcl.org.
Colleges won’t necessarily see it that way. They will see that you devoted your time to something other than academics in grades 10 and 11…as that is what you explained here.
You need to look for colleges that will accept the YOU that is YOU.
Did you take the ACT or SAT while in high school (note…not during your gap year, but while IN high school). If so, what were your scores.
As noted, some colleges don’t consider grade 12 grades when determining admissions…and doing a gap year won’t change that.
Are you saying colleges won’t consider standardized test scores taken during a gap year? I’ve never heard that before? Doesn’t make sense to me why that would matter to them if you take a test a few months after graduation vs. a few months before.
The SAT/ACT are exams specifically made for HS students. These standardized tests should be taken while in HS. Nobody can predict how admissions officers at every college will view a standardized tests test score for an exam taken after HS graduation.
AFAIK students on a gap year can take the SAT/ACT - this is a very common situation for international students, especially those on a Southern calendar. (Or think of veterans who joined right after HS then apply to college).
What would be a problem is if an applicant had enrolled in university then took the SAT.
Your additional info section may be better utilized in explaining why took a gap year. You will be competing with students who have done similar activities and have high grades all throughout HS. That doesn’t mean you can’t find a school that will be interested in you - you have to research carefully and have targets/safeties given your particular situation.
Understand that the top tier of universities get countless applicants who have a full extra-curricular schedule and top grades throughout high school. As others have mentioned, you will certainly find colleges that will accept you (I didn’t see about funding but it’s a lot easier if you are a full pay international), but you need to be realistic about where to apply.
Your grades are what they are. IMO explaining that you chose to not focus on HS academics to pursue other activities will not help your case. As noted above there will be many applicants with top grades throughout HS and top ECs. Better to focus on colleges that are appropriate for your actual grades as well as schools in your home country where (as you say) only 12th year grades are considered.
Can your family fully fund the cost of college in the US? Or will you need significant financial aid?
Yes and that’s why I said in my country, the third year is only the year that counts (you will enter what university, depending on the grade 12 results)
Yes and that’s why I said in my country, the third year is only the year that counts (you will enter what university, depending on the grade 12 results) do i didnt focuse on grade 11, and 10
We understand that, but that is why you may be better applying to a country (your own or others) where they only look at grade 12 results for university admission; or alternatively understand that while many US colleges will be happy to have you, they probably won’t be the famous names you’ve heard of.
It is also hard to advise you properly without understanding whether your family can pay for you or whether you need funding. US universities vary widely in how much funding they provide, especially to international students, and whether it is need or merit based or a combination.
Can you give some indication of what you consider to be between top tier and “average”, and we can maybe give responses as to how realistic those options would be for someone with your profile.
Admission to strong US colleges (even the non-elite ones) can be extremely competitive. Even more so for international students. Even more so for international students needing aid.
Once again, can your family fully fund a US college education (assume close to $400,0000)?
I have no doubt that you are a bright person, but think you will have a hard time finding a full ride to a US university. You are asking a university in a foreign country to gift you an education which they value at close to $400,000. You admit your academics were not stellar until 12th grade and you will be competing with students who have shown sustained excellence in both academics and ECs.
And even with a full ride your family might be expected to cover costs for transportation, health insurance, books, spending money, etc. And as an international student, your work options in this country will be limited.
It is fine to give US schools a shot, but I’d focus on options in your home country.