u/wareeshak

Hi everyone!!!!

I’m a grade 10 student (16F) from ON, Canada (first-generation immigrant from Pakistan), and I’ve been going back and forth on whether I realistically have a chance at Ivy League and/or top US schools. I know nobody can give a guaranteed answer but I’d really appreciate some honest perspectives.

Right now I don’t really feel like a “spike” student, and I’m not even sure I want to be boxed into one category. I genuinely love a lot of different areas. I’m into math, science, building and making things, tech, arts + media, writing, business, and econ. I feel like I’m kind of everywhere, but the one consistent thing is that I care a lot about impact. I want to use whatever skills I build to actually help people in a real way.

A bit about my ECs and experiences so far:
- Raised $3000 for the Halton Learning Foundation by selling ice cream sandwiches at my school (supports underprivileged students in my school board)
- Selected for the Sprout Fellowship (top ~100 students across Canada for social innovation projects, I’m the youngest in my cohort this year)
- Attended the Forum for Young Canadians on a bursary in Ottawa (gov sponsored program, ~300 students selected nationally to learn about politics + policy)
- Raised $500+ through handmade bracelet sales focused on metastatic cancer awareness and calling out corporate pink washing + greed in healthcare marketing
- DECA member (went to Provincials + served as DECA exec)
- Run the female business mentorship program at my school
- Have a personal blog where I write about ideas I care about, nothing super formal, I post just because I like writing
- Top 10 in Ontario on a University of Waterloo math contest
- Awards: Student of Excellence (school board award), Youth Change Maker of the Year (town award)

Academics:
- In pre-AP program in Grade 9 and 10
- Current GPA is ~3.9

I’ve been debating whether to continue AP in Gr. 11/12 because my school environment has been pretty toxic at times, and not all AP teachers are properly qualified. I’m honestly not sure if pushing through that stress is worth it or if it would hurt my wellbeing too much.

My biggest question is that I don’t really have a single defined passion. I’m very interdisciplinary, and I’m not sure how that fits into US admissions vs Canadian universities, where I’ve heard grades matter more heavily (with some exceptions). I also know ECs matter a lot more in the US, which is why I’m wondering if I even have a shot, but I also worry that not doing AP might hurt my chances too.

I guess I’m just trying to figure out:
- Do Ivies / top US schools actually take those “multi-interest” students without a clear spike?
- How important is it to stick with the most rigorous course load if it’s affecting your wellbeing?
- Based on what I shared, am I even in the range of being a competitive applicant, or am I thinking too far ahead?
- Do I take the SAT/ACT? If so, when???

literally ANY honest advice is appreciated. I’m still figuring things out and trying to figure out what direction makes sense!!!