I study in the Indian curriculum known as the CBSE(Central Board of Secondary Education) which is very much different from the American system. I am right now nearing the end of my Grade 11. In grade 11 we have 2 branches from where we can choose 4 subjects i.e Commerce and Science. The fifth subject is English Literature & Grammar which is compulsory for students of both streams. I have chosen the science stream and have taken the following subjects :- Math , Physics , Chemistry and I.P (Information Practicals which is basically advanced Computer Science eg: We learn Visual Basic , Oracle , SQL Server etc.)
We don't have GPA's. We only have tests and exams and our final percentage in each subject and then the overall percentage is calculated. Our system has what we call Board years or Public exams commonly known as the CBSE Board Exams for Grade 10 and Grade 12. All students studying in the Indian Boards have to appear for these exams. I finished my Grade 10 Board Exam last year. I acheived 84% overall.. My individual marks were :- 82/100 in Math , 88/100 in Science , 88/100 in English and 87/100 in Social Studies (i.e History , geography and Economics together). Now , my next Board Exam will be next year in March 2008 when I will be in Grade 12.
Now , you might be wondering why I am harping on the Board Exams. These marks are crucial to gain admission to any college/university in the world for an Indian student along with the criteria/eligibility of that institution. Even my cousins had to send in their Grade 10 & 12 Board Exam marks along with their SAT 1 and SAT2 scores while applying for American colleges.
I have varied interests and hobbies. Reading , Quizzing , Drama (acting and staging one act plays etc) , Debating & Public Speaking , Soccer. I have won many prizes and certificates in the above mentioned fields. Plus , the most major event I won this year was winning the Best Delegate Award in the Model United Nations conducted in Dubai.
So , I am into extra curriculars as well.
Well , academically I would consider myself above average. I score well into the 80's out of 100. I always get around 80-85% in most tests and an occasional 90. There is no class rank in my grade as its only the overall percent. Out of lets say 30 students about 10 students get within the 80's out of 100 and the rest all get between 65-80%.
My interest academically are Nuclear Physics and I would also like to do Media Applications or I.T Management. Infact , such lucrative professions are quite appealing to me.
Excellent. Our American system is very different. Are you around 16 or 17? I'm 16, 17 in January. I am in the same boat you are in, my friend; looking for colleges and etc. I havent taken the SAT or ACT yet, though I did take a PSAT test, which I dont believe I've gotten the results for yet.
In any case, it sounds like you have pretty high ambitions. I myself am hoping to get into the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps, Marine Option program. Provided that I can land that, I would be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps. Seems abstract at this point in my life, but I know it will come up quick. Seems like just a week ago I was a freshman.