Ada Comstock

Hi all,
I am a single mom hoping to get my bachelor’s, but I wanted to ask you some questions and tell you my story and see if I should even bother applying to Smith as an Ada Comstock scholar. If some past Adas could help guide me I’d be really appreciative.

Currently, I have a 3.68 GPA which will rise to a 3.71 after this semester. I’m taking prerequisites for a math major, in which I have all A’s, and before this I got an AS degree in Paralegal Studies in which I also got straight A’s. I’m in PTK and the school’s Honors program.

That all sounds good but I have a couple of issues: first, I don’t really have any extracurriculars. Between my homework, taking care of and playing with my son, and keeping up with the house, I barely have time for anything as it is. So my grades are great, but I’m not a member of any clubs (except PTK I suppose) and haven’t volunteered.

Also… I have a criminal record for a DUI that I got in 2012. Before that, I was kind of aimless in my life. I slacked off in high school, failed my first semester of college at 18, and started partying pretty heavily. When I got pregnant with my son, I cleaned up my act but I was in a really terrible emotionally/physically abusive relationship and went out one night for a “mommy’s night off,” got my DUI, and went to jail. Going to jail was like a bucket of ice water poured over my head. When I got out, I broke things off with my son’s father (who is now no longer involved whatsoever) and immediately got back into school. I raised my GPA from a 1.69 to what it is now. I am doing really great, I am so happy, I love school, and I really have big dreams and goals and I know that I’m capable of achieving them.

We have to write an autobiographical essay for admission to Smith, and I have nothing positive to really write about until the last four years of my life, and a big part of my life has been learning from my mistakes and problems from the past that have helped give me the motivation to excel as I am today. I’m worried that my autobiography will not paint a true picture of who I am today… I’m certainly not a criminal, I no longer abuse alcohol (I’m not even an alcoholic, I just really dislike drinking to excess anymore) and my lackluster high school - 23 year-old record don’t reflect me currently at all. I’m scared that the admissions officers won’t be able to get past this. I’m worried I shouldn’t even apply. Is four years long enough for them to trust that I have changed? I have two professors that I am very close to (my paralegal program director/professor and my philosophy professor, who I helped tutor symbolic logic for a couple of years after I took his class) who will give me glowing personal references. I know they really believe in me. I feel really down and hesitant, because all Smithies seems to be really amazing, larger-than-life people. Like superhumans. Lol. And I just feel like a regular Joe(sephina?).

You sound like a fantastic candidate for Ada Comstock!

I don’t really think you should worry about not having ECs or volunteering although call/email the admission’s office and they can probably give you a more definite answer.

As for the autobiographical essay, if only the last four years of your life have been noteworthy I wouldn’t focus so much on that, I would actually focus on the journey it took to get there.

4 years isn’t a long time but the progress youve made shows that you’re way past that DUI that you got years ago.

(im a traditional student but my unqualified opinion is: go for it!!!)

Thank you so much!!! I think I will give them a call. You know much more about the Smith culture so traditional or not I trust your opinion lol. Do you know any Adas?

Are you planning to apply for the January or September term? I am applying as well, and I’m struggling with the decision.

You should apply. And don’t be scared. You will either get in or not. Regardless, you are on a great path with a compelling story. That’s the most important thing. Good luck!