<p>I've got probably like a 3.8-9 GPA unweighted, and higher than 4 weighted. Testwise, I got a 2040 superscored on the SAT - a 2020 highest sitting.</p>
<p>I have really strong ECs - I am interning at HuffPost Live, and am published on HuffPost, I'm going to be leading a Feminist Majority Foundation club in my school, I've taken piano for 7 years, etc. </p>
<p>However, I do have a...thing. I was out of school during sophomore year - not my fault - due to really intense family issues. I was NOT ALLOWED to do school, read, write, etc. I know it's weird...strange situation. However, I did online school (ugh it was awful) and got As, and picked myself up very strongly in 11th grade after returning to school midyear. Even when I was not allowed to read or write, I hid notebooks and pens and made up my own language so I could. It's a really strange situation and was not my fault, and I'm worried about what colleges will think...</p>
<p>I have been to Bryn Mawr College - I interviewed and explained my situation. The woman seemed very sympathetic and even impressed that I turned myself around after not being in an academic environment. But since then I have read all sorts of articles that say interviews do not matter.</p>
<p>I will visit Smith in a few weeks, and interview.</p>
<p>What do you think?</p>
<p>Oh yes, and I was also on the debate school in my old school.</p>
<p>Smith: Match
Bryn Mawr: Low match/Match</p>
<p>What you can do is put those issues into an essay, if an essay topic about a major event in your life is available. You might want a safety, perhaps Mt. Holyoke is an appropriate one.</p>
<p>Oh yeah I’m applying to more than two schools. These are merely the ones I decided to ask about here. </p>
<p>Why do you say Smith is a match, and Bryn Mawr is a low match, just wondering.</p>
<p>And although I am not going to write about my special circumstances in an essay, my college counselor is going to explain them and I have and will explain in interviews.</p>
<p>As a women’s college grad – my sense is these schools are looking for students who want to be there, who appreciate what a women’s school has to offer and who will contribute to the campus community. Your statistics certainly make you a qualified applicant – after that, it comes down to fit, and how a particular applicant will round out the class. </p>
<p>Sounds like the BMC interview went well; as you prepare for Smith interview, research what is particular to Smith that makes you want to be there. Both BMC and Smith are marvelous schools with great students and great opportunities. Think about why you value what each school has to offer, and be prepared to talk about that in terms of Smith in the upcoming interview, and in your essays. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks so much for your words of encouragement - I am very excited to see Smith College. From what I know, I think that I’d be happy at either school, so I am hoping that I’ll get into at least one of them.</p>