Hi guys!
I am a grade 11, now to be 12 in September, student currently living in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. What a start hey? I am coming from Canada, and most of my education was in Canada. I have lived in Canada since grade 6 all the way up till the end of second semester of grade 11 (December 2014). So I’ve just started school in Dubai with an american school predominantly with american/Canadian teachers. So for those wondering it doesn’t feel very foreign at least, like an international school. And just to put to perspective, Dubai(UAE) is my fifth country and 9th school in the past 11/12 years. My dad’s occupation made it impossible to settle in one country and I was constantly moving as a kid. (Korea, Scotland, Kazakhstan, Canada, UAE.) That being said, it wasn’t easy settling in Dubai and in a completely new school especially in grade 11. Of course, my marks won’t be up to par as those who have lived in one steady place. Also I had two months to prepare for the June SATs and just got my marks back. Ok, so I got a 1880, and an estimated GPA around 3.3-3.5(at the most.) I really cannot say there was much more room to improve a whole lot without killing myself. This should be all taken into account that I was still focused and determined to be competitive while moving 14000kms away from home. I am definitely working harder next year and for the next sats, but I’m just anxious due to the late start I had. I aim to get over 2000 in October, and work really hard early next year to bring the GPA up too. My dream schools are UCLA, UCSB, UCI, NYU, BU, and some Canadian Universities like UBC, U of T, and etc. Does my story sound like something the admission board would recognize even a tiny bit? I had the problems, found the solution, and I believe I can bring much more than just education with me.
Thanks,
would love the input and sincere thoughts.
Joey Lim