Harvard, Stanford, MIT…. We've all heard of these global powerhouses of American Universities, the ultimate goal for talented aspiring students. But how exactly, as a student in Canada, do you apply for these prestigious institutions?

Is just being at the top of your class enough? What do you have to do differently? Is it even possible to go to Harvard as a Canadian?

Hopefully, these questions can be answered in SnowTrack's Comprehensive Canada to the United States Overview.

Applying to universities in Canada focuses mostly on grades, specifically your top six Grade 12 U/M courses. However, American universities focus on a holistic view of the student, taking into consideration:

Applying to top American schools isn't necessarily harder, but it is fundamentally different. Focusing entirely on your grades is no longer sufficient, and can end up getting you rejected from almost every top American university.

Being excellent both in and outside of school is the most consistent ticket to the United States.

Before we get started on academics however, we must first consider the affordability of American schools. While post-secondary in Canada is relatively affordable, college in the States can cost up to $600,000 Canadian dollars.

Please familiarize yourself with important Finances Information before continuing.

Understanding the holistic admissions process and what really matters when applying to US universities.

Canadian students are considered non-residents / international when applying for American Universities. This means, inherently, we are at a significant disadvantage when applying to American schools.

The amount internationals are disadvantaged depends on the school. For example, some schools like NYU love international students, while other schools like Georgia State barely accept any. You can easily determine how much you are disadvantaged by comparing International vs Domestic acceptance rate, but not every school releases that information. The only other way to estimate a school's "International Tolerance" is through their International Student Percentage.

Comparing the application systems and processes between Canadian and American university applications.

Weighing the costs and benefits of studying in the US versus staying in Canada for higher education.