Chance me! (International applicant)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Smith College
1

<p>Hi! I'm really interested in Smith and I'm definitely going to apply, probably as ED II, but I'm not sure if I'm a very strong applicant.</p>

<p>Nationality: Mexican
Income bracket: Very low. Will need FA.
GPA: 9.9-10 on a scale of 1-10
Classes: It's pretty much the same (or similar) curriculum for most schools here, so I don't have Honors or AP classes, except for Honors American History. I have 3 years of English and I'm on French now.
TOEFL: I'm taking it on December, but I'm confident I can score around 100+ on the iBT. Last time I took it I got a 91, but that was due to an error with the Reading section. I was pretty bad in the Speaking section, though (24/30), and I'm sure I can do better now.</p>

<p>Community service:
-Volunteer at the last Pan American games.
-A 3 day camp at a beach for the protection of sea turtles. (I was having fun until I witnessed a bird eat a baby turtle, but that's beside the point XD)
-Multiple visits to an orphanage in my hometown. </p>

<p>ECs:
I'm in trouble here because I'm self-taught in all of them (I take Music at school, but it's just theory, not how to play the instruments). I just felt bad asking my parents to pay for lessons when we don't have money for many other things.
-Guitar. I'm thinking of including a video on the Arts Supplement section to show that I have actually put a lot of effort into it, as well as show my not-so-common style of playing.
-Piano
-Japanese. At least 3 hours a day since I started around 6 months ago, and I am making good progress. I can read and write about 450-500 characters, as well as the two other alphabets of the language, but I'm much better at speaking/listening.
I also spend an awful lot of time reading about cognitive psychology and artificial intelligence, but I doubt this would help me.</p>

<p>Essay:
Still not sure what I will write about, but I'm confident I can write a good one.</p>

<p>Recommendations:
Excellent, no problems here.</p>

<p>SAT/ACT: I've never taken either of them, mainly for money reasons. Should I take the SAT? Smith is test optional, but would it help? </p>

<p>Intended major: Computer Science or Biochemistry
Minor: Asian Studies</p>

<p>Uh, so that's all I can remember. Thanks for reading!</p>

2

<p>Guitar500-- You seem to have an impressive international background. Achievement in coursework and solid EC’s. My recommendation is take the SAT. View it as a business trip and put all the youthful anxiety behind you as you sit for it. Just trying to help, but it’s big girl time-- nail it!</p>

<p>Otherwise, I think you are a lock.</p>

<p>.02</p>

<p>David</p>

3

<p>Guitar500, I think you sound terrific! I love your initiative in teaching yourself a variety of interesting skills and knowledge! Just one EC question: have there been any school activities or experiences you have overlooked? You don’t mention anything about your school. </p>

<p>I think you look great. Go for it!</p>

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<p>Thank you both, that does make me feel a lot more confident :)</p>

<p>@CarolynB: I was going to reply no, but I just remembered there are, just nothing too impressive. Maybe that’s why I hadn’t counted them.
In 9th grade I got 2nd place at both, a math and an art competition. I was also ranked #1 when we graduated junior high (we have 3 years of junior high and 3 of high school).
In 10th we took an exam at school that’s typically used as a high school entrance exam, if I remember correctly I got 4th place (national), but I’m not sure how many schools took it. I’ll have to look it up.
In 11th there was just the community service I mentioned and two small art competitions at school (1st place). That reminds me, perhaps I could add those paintings to my Arts Supplement too.
In 12th I just played at a mall for a school concert, and I might do it again on November. And one of my teachers is organizing another visit to an orphanage. That’s it, though.
And last summer I went to Phillips Exeter for the Summer School program. I went on scholarship, which my principal helped me and other two students obtain. It’s usually only for US citizens.</p>

<p>I also forgot to mention that my current school doesn’t rank until graduation, but I am at the top of my class, possibly tied with another girl.</p>

<p>I’m not part of any clubs/organizations because there aren’t any. At my current school there’s just the soccer team, and a rock would play better than me XD</p>

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<p>Guitar500, you’ve provided a lot more information, which is helpful. Your Phillips Exeter experience is especially useful to include and your rankings show how consistent you are academically. As for EC clubs and organizations, I would think it would be good to explain your school doesn’t have any. I’m enjoying your humor! You’re an impressive young woman who’s making the best of the opportunities in front of you as well as creating some for yourself, so you’re on a roll! Good luck!</p>

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<p>Thanks CarolynB :)</p>

<p>Anyway, I’ve decided to take the SAT. I scheduled the TOEFL for November 3rd and I’ll take the SAT on December 1st. I just hope there’s enough time for the score to get there. At least it’s optional. </p>

<p>Does anyone know what percentage of students submitted SAT/ACT scores?</p>

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<p>Guitar500- Only admissions knows the “real” number. I’ve spoken with multiple firsties and they state the vast majority submit SAT’s. This makes sense. </p>

<p>.02</p>

<p>David</p>

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<p>

</p>

<p>For class that applied 2011-2012, 68 percent of enrolled students submitted SAT scores. 25 percent * of enrolled students* submitted ACT scores. It stands to reason that the percentages are lower when accounting for all applicants.</p>

<p>I assume you school instructs in Spanish not English, correct?
The reason I ask is that your English is excellent. If your courses are being taught in English then submitting SAT 1 or ACT scores is not optional.</p>

<p>Have you tried to schedule alumna interview in Mexico or in one of the border states such as San Diego, El Paso, et cetera?</p>

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<p>Well, then it’s probably to my advantage to take the SAT. I’ll schedule it later today for December 1.</p>

<p>Yes, at the moment they’re all in Spanish. I’ve had a few classes taught in English, but mostly things like American Literature and English Fundamentals, so I doubt those count. </p>

<p>No, I haven’t. There’s an alumna search tool in the interview section, but when I entered Mexico the result was someone from Argentina, for some reason. It can’t be in a border state because I don’t have a visa. I’ve heard of some schools that do Skype interviews, I wonder if they’d be willing to do that?</p>

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<p>Is smith really hard to get into?</p>

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<p>That’s a pretty open-ended question. Depends on a lot of things. But know this, the admit rate has been going down steadily. Last year it was 42%. Each year it seems to drop a point or two. There is no one set of qualifications that gets you in. If you would provide more info we could probably give you a better idea.</p>