Planning High School Activities for The Future

Applying to College
1

Hello, I am a Canadian student with eyes set on Ivy League institutions in the states. I am not sure of my position in American schools, but here in Canada I will be in the eleventh grade in September (with twelve being senior). I understand that such schools are seeking exceptional students with aspirations that bring something new to campus. I also understand that Ivy League schools look for students that strive to master their interests. I will be in the Full International Baccalaureate Program in September, however I am hesitant on whether I should stay in full IB or not. Coming from such a small high-school I barely have a choice with the courses I would like to take. I am forced to take history courses and French courses that I do not particularly enjoy. My question is, do admissions officers enjoy students that push themselves more, or students that are true to what they enjoy doing and not necessarily the amount of rigorous courses they are capable of taking?

Thank you for your time.

2

It depends on your goal:

  1. If it is to increase your chance of getting into an Ivy League School, then they would expect you to be in the Full IB Diploma program if offered. They want you to academically challenge yourself. But then you are fitting yourself to a school. An admissions officer would have no idea that you don’t like the courses you are taking. They would just see the courses and the grades.

  2. if it is to explore what you are interested in, then take what you are interested in. You will find a school that fits you.

  3. Can you afford an Ivy League school? They don’t give merit scholarships.

3

Regardless of whether you follow a full IB diploma program, few AO’s are suggesting that students specialize in HS. Top colleges generally expect a balanced courseload each year containing each core subject - English, math, science, history/social sciences, and foreign language.