<p>I am currently in eleventh grade in South Africa. My brothers girlfriend suggested that I go study in America. </p>
<p>At first I was really keen and I decided that I was going to aim for the Ivies (like Penn and Yale). That is what I decided - that I wanted to go study in America.</p>
<p>But know I am not so sure anymore. At first I decided if I wasn’t going to get good enough financial aid for America I would study in South Africa. But not I’m not sure anymore.</p>
<p>ANY ADVICE??</p>
<p>Can you keep your options open? Ideally you would apply to colleges in both countries. Once you have concrete admission and funding offers on the table, it will be easier to decide on the best course of action.</p>
<p>Thanks Barium. That does seem logical.</p>
<p>Another problem is preparing for the SATs. Currently I am very busy and I find myslef asking if it’s worth it…?</p>
<p>How much time do you think you would you need to prepare for your tests? I spent maybe 10 2-hour blocks preparing for my tests (ACT and two SAT Subject tests) - that’s less than a day in total if you think about it. And you have until October to get ready for exam day!</p>
<p>I think it would be very unfortunate if SAT prep time would prevent you from studying in the US. The exam costs can be prohibitive for some international students but time shouldn’t be the determining factor.</p>
<p>Ok, yes I see what you mean 
</p>
<p>Maybe I should just go for it and like you said keep my options open</p>
<p>RSA has some great schools. University of Capetown, Stellenbosch and Wits are quality institutions. Do there for undergrad and then go to the US for postgraduate study.</p>
<p>Max 2 years (assuming taught), thus less living costs (2 yrs v 4) and so on.</p>
<p>Plus, the yanks dont have cricket. Play for UCT and enjoy yourself man.</p>
<p>I don’t think you realise just how competitive Yale and Penn(along with all the other ivys) are.You better be the best of the best academically(and I mean multiple distinctions in Matric) on top of being an all round exceptional human being.High SAT scores,at least 2100 to start with.Being an international student doesn’t help you at all.With the lethargy you are showing for just SAT prep it doesn’t look like you have the motivation to go through the US admissions process.Why not go to UCT,Wits,Monash etc?</p>
<p>I do recommend going to a good RSA school for UG.</p>
<p>It is possible and doable! I know 2 South Africans coming with me to Harvard in the fall. and there are probably more. And the two I know are just normal people, albeit very accomplished, who did Matric (one supplemented that with A levels, you might want to do that). </p>
<p>SAT scores are usually blown over in these forums. I know of about 5 international students who got less that 2000 in the SAT and are coming to Harvard. Again these are just the ones I know, there are probably more.</p>
<p>However, this is not to say you should not get a high score. The higher the score, the better. And I should point out that the people I know who got less than 2000 were spectacular on so many other fronts so it balances out. </p>
<p>I’d say if you consider yourself amongst the top 10% most competitive students for admission in your local university, you have a fair chance at an American Elite college. Make sure you go through the applications for the last season now and start brainstorming about essay topics, and thinking which teachers you will ask for recs this summer. (Or August, I know the S.A.'n academic calendar runs from Jan to Nov.) Practice for the SAT, but do not obsess. Ideally get a school of 2150+. Do fantastic on the SATIIs. Most international students do.</p>
<p>Most of all keep everything in perspective. Do not expect to get in, but do not think it impossible. (Hope for the best, expect the worst.) Take everything you read on these forums, including this, with a grain of salt and you would rather consult Admission Offices and Website for authoritative information.</p>
<p>Lastly, have some faith! CC made me so pessimistic that I did not expect to get into any school! I ended up getting into 4 of HYPSM. If you work on your applications, and have had a fabulous High School Career, it is very possible you will get into the schools you want.</p>
<p>@macmill - of course I understand how competitive the Ivies are. That just goes without saying! I take part in many cultural activities as well as sport. I am on the student representative council and nr1 in my grade. Maybe this can help me, No?</p>
<p>@UKdude84 unfortunately I don’t play cricket - I’m a girl lol. I do play netball and the USA doesn’t have that (quite a bummer). Thanks though. P.s I am considering UCT anyways :)</p>
<p>@kimathi - wow thanks for the advice. Any yes I won’t let cc get me down
I am more motivated to get studying for the SATs now luckily </p>
<p>Thanks guys n gals</p>
<p>I say go for it. I am an international hopeful myself, from Romania. And I cannot tell you how much CC bums me out. Most don’t understand that different people from different countries have different circumstances. I don’t know it is in South Africa, but here, if I wanted to say, do research at a hospital or whatever, I’d get kicked out of there in a heartbeat. </p>
<p>People just assume that if you’re not an Intergalactic olympiad winner or something like that, you don’t have a chance at all at top universities in the US. I say bollocks. I know a couple of people from my country that are currently at Harvard and Columbia, and they weren’t stars either, they’re ordinary, well rounded people. </p>
<p>So what I’m trying to say here is, don’t give up because of what people here say. Some might just be ■■■■■■■■ for the fun of being mean. I wish you good luck!</p>
<p>@Alisyn</p>
<p>Good to know someone feels the same!
I’m also struggling to figure out how and when to apply because the USA and south african school year is so different. In SA we go to school from JAN - NOV so applying in the US is a risk in terms of me getting into a University here.</p>
<p>Whaaaat. I’ve never heard of that. That’s kinda like how Australia is in summer vacation now. You have to apply before January 1st. Actually, that’s the deadline for MOST schools, but you best check the websites. I think that’s great for you cause you’re on vacation then, so you don’t have to worry about schoolwork getting in the way. You should talk to your teachers about recommendations, because the Common app comes out on august 1st I think, so i think it’s better to have some things already done by then, so you don’t get really stressed out.
Also, look into the SATs or ACT, whatever fancies you best. I’m taking the SAt in May, the deadline is passed now, but if you feel up to it, you have until May 10th to apply for the June 4th exam. You can also take it in October, and take the subject tests in November</p>
<p>
I know,I had assumed you were relatively new to the process so I just thought I’d point that out.My friends in South African universities are always so shocked when the realise the ridiculous selectivity of US admissions.Just as an arbitrary example,Brown University received over 30000 applications this season and only accepted about 2000.Of course,there is absolutely NOTHING to stop you from being among that select group.</p>
<p>Now to answer your questions :</p>
<p>Yes,extracurricular activities will very much be an important part of your application.If you can demonstrate leadership in those areas,passion and perhaps a few accolades beyond the school level,that would be great.Just a random guess,you play rugby right?right?
-Since you’re in grade eleven right now you would need to apply next year during your matric year.Start preparing for SATs now so that you can possibly sit them in May or June next year.You could register for October,November or December(2012) SATs but that will mean your scores will get there just in time for the deadline(January 1 for most schools) and you would rather do your stuff on time.One of the most important parts of your application will be a personal essay.I cannot overstress how important essays are so you would be well advised to look into it now.Topics can be found at <a href=“http://www.commonapp.org%5B/url%5D”>www.commonapp.org</a>
-Try to look beyond the Ivy League if that is something that interests you.You will discover that there are many,many superb colleges and universities beyond the Ivy League from which you will be able to get a great education.From libreal arts colleges like Williams College,Amherst,Middlebury,Swarthmore,Colgate,Grinnell,Oberlin,Davidson,Colby,Hamilton etc to other eminent universities e.g. University of Chicago,Northwestern,Washington University in St Louis etc.So don’t restrict yourself,explore the options!</p>
<p>this list may help
[America’s</a> 25 New Elite ‘Ivies’ - Newsweek](<a href=“http://www.newsweek.com/id/39401]America’s”>America's 25 New Elite 'Ivies')</p>
<p>@ #10.</p>
<p>The way the Proteas are playing atm, you may get up call up even as a girl.</p>
<p>@uk dude</p>
<p>very funny!!! :D</p>