<p>I attended a reception today for local winners of the Smith Book Award and their parents and in attendance was the new Smith associate director of admissions whose territory includes our area.</p>
<p>During her informal presentation, one of the numbers that caught my ear--apologies if Mini or RLT has already posted this--was that 22 percent of this year's class were students first in their family to go to college. This kind of conversation being a team sport akin to volleyball, I pointed out that this is a result of a more holistic admissions policy that deemphasizes the SAT score and that Smith's ranking in stat-driven rankings like US NEWS might suffer a bit because of this but that no one should underestimate the quality of a Smith education.</p>
<p>Later, the admissions officer said something to the effect that it was nice to have some parental cheerleaders. Dang...and I'd left my pom-poms at home.</p>
<p>Way to go TD!!!! Do you attend all of those meetings? I have a cousin who is an Assistant Principal at a CA high school, and when he visited here a couple months ago he drove to Smith with me to speak about getting someone to speak at his school and others in the area. He adored Smith during our visit, as it was his first experience. He mentioned that he is intent to spread the word about Smith at his school and others around the immediate area.</p>
<p>There were 2-3 young women there, in particular, whom I hope choose to find a home at Smith. My presence worked as it was supposed to...I "clicked" in particular with two of the Dads, one of whom was ready to sign the necessary paperwork then and there.</p>
<p>One mom in particular was dismayed by the de-emphasis of SAT's. Guessing that her D is a high scorer, I talked with her a bit about STRIDE, etc., which is stats driven.</p>
<p>Listening very very carefully, I can imagine that Smith may become SAT optional at some point. But decisons like that are not in general made quickly without due process and process and process.</p>