Chance me for Smith College EDI 2026

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1

Hi all,

I am a current junior in high school from Cambridge, MA (at a good public high school).
I am very interested in attending Smith as a Dance major.

Info:

GPA (UW): 3.85
Test scores: Not submitting
ECs:

  • High school’s dance company which I actively performed in and choreographed for (member for all four years of HS)
  • Dance at a local studio (and been dancing for much of my life)
  • Apprentice for 3 local professional dance companies
  • participated in a summer outreach dance program where I choreographed, performed for, and taught classes at many youth and teen summer programs.
  • Will likely/hopefully get a part-time job soon
  • A few other things

My HS courses and grades:

9th grade:

  • HN English 9 (A-)
  • HN World History (A-)
  • Algebra 1A (A-)
  • Algebra 1B (B+)
  • Physics (B)
  • Spanish 1 (A+ w/ HN)
  • Freshman Film (A+)
  • Dance 1 (A+)
  • Health (A)

10th grade:

  • English 10 (A+)
  • Critical Issues in U.S. History (B+ w/ HN)
  • HN Geometry (B-)
  • HN Chemistry (D+)
  • HN Spanish 2 (A)
  • Dance 2 (A+)
  • HN Advanced Dance Technique & Choreography (A+)
  • Musical Theatre Performance (A+)

11th grade:

  • English 11 (A-)
  • HN Global Civics (A)
  • Algebra 2 (A+)
  • HN Advanced Dance Technique & Choreography (A+)
  • HN Spanish 3 (A+)
  • Biology (A+)
  • AP English Language and Composition (A)
  • HN Advanced Dance Technique & Choreography (A+)

Next year (12th grade), I plan to take:

  • AP Comparative Government and Politics - 10
  • AP Environmental Science - 10
  • HN Psychology and Literature
  • HN Dance Technique & Choreography - 10
  • HN Opt Applied Mathematics - 10
  • HN Psychology - 10
  • HN Spanish 4

A few additional notes: I realize the D+ in HN Chemistry is horrible… and I have some not-so-great grades in math, as well. I feel like I have a somewhat-valid mental health related reason for this, but I know that these will lower my chances of being accepted. I also know that I could probably have challenged myself more throughout my four years of HS but I hope this won’t be too detrimental.

Please let me know if you think I even have a chance of getting accepted, and whether or not it is even worth it to apply Early Decision.

Thank you in advance!

2

I am not an expert on Smith but a mom whose daughter is a year older than you and just got into college. I think you have a shot ED but I also would actively explore other schools. The rigor may hurt you but then again you do show increasing rigor by senior year. If Smith doesnt work for ED1 you could pick another school for ED2. But just be sure to really talk with your parents about the finances as ED is binding and you’ll have no way of knowing what other offers you would have gotten. For that reason my daughter did not apply ED to any schools. I am not sure if you’ve looked at other schools but a couple of suggestions that are strong with dance/arts of schools we’ve looked at — Connecticut College (who gave my daughter a pretty generous merit scholarship), and Skidmore College. If you like the Western Mass area you may want to consider Mt Holyoke or Umass Amherst too. (UMass has EA but not ED.) Good luck!!

3

I think you have a very good chance. While the D is not ideal you took rigorous classes and generally did well. Your ECs are also very good for your major.

4

Your grades will definitely not keep you out, especially if your ambition is in the performing arts. Keep in mind that you are not competing for 1 of 600 open seats in next year’s class. You are competing for 1 of a finite number of Dance openings. No one here can “chance” you without a broad knowledge your artistic skills and the needs of the Dance program at Smith. I would contact the Admissions Office and research the Dance department to understand how big the program is and whether audition materials are required. If it only averages 15 dance majors per graduating class, that is the size of your competition. Generally, I would say the same thing about any major.

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