<p>Hi everyone,</p>
<p>I’m currently an international student in Melbourne. I’m in my senior year and I’ve been here for more than 4 years. My grades had been mainly from B+ to A+ since year 8 however last year wasn’t great. I had all kinds of troubles thrown at me last year including death, parents and other family members divorced and remarried which caused huge complications and fights, financial issues and tons of personal issues so I couldn’t concentrate on studies, dropped the idea of applying to America and therefore didn’t do as much preparation as I should’ve.</p>
<p>My English, however, still maintained an A+ (even though I didn’t study) but my Maths and Japanese went downhill completely. For ECs, I basically did nothing else rather than my part-time job, one-day Red Cross appeal volunteer, self-teaching piano and some short courses of interest.</p>
<p>I found my long-lost motivation this year and I’m willing to study as hard as I can and I’m positive I can get A and A+. I’m also studying for the SAC and Subject Tests (Japanese and Maths or Literature), and I’m also doing a lot of ECs. </p>
<p>Sorry for the lengthy description. I’ve done intensive research on this but I still want to get more opinions. I’m looking to major in Communication/Media/Journalism in any colleges in New York but my dream school would be Barnard or Vassar or Hamilton. Columbia and NYC seem too out of reach but I’ll give them a shot too. </p>
<p>My biggest concerns are:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>I don’t have the strongest ECs history, even though I’m doing a lot currently but I think it only makes me look like I’m just doing them for the sake of stacking up my resume and application - which is partially but not the whole reason as I really enjoyed them as well. </p></li>
<li><p>I didn’t select the most challenging subjects (and I do regret it). I thought I liked Business and Accounting - now I just abhor them and wished I did History and Literature instead.</p></li>
<li><p>I’m in the minority (Vietnamese). Would this affect my application? </p></li>
</ul>
<p>Do I stand a chance at all? Is there another pathway to admission at one of those colleges? Please give your opinions, even though I’m probably too clueless to chance anyone back but I will really appreciate it! </p>
<p>Also if you think those colleges are out of my reach, do you have any suggestions on what colleges I should apply for?</p>
<p>Thank you :)</p>