I’m a rising senior. I’m planning on applying early decision this fall, I don’t need financial aid, and I’m a legacy (my mother).
I have a ~3.3 GPA.
Freshman year: Mostly B’s, some C’s, one A and one D.
Sophomore year: Mostly B’s, 2 C’s and 2 A’s.
Junior year: Same as Sophomore year.
I go to a very tough school, and I take two languages (going into French 5 Hrs. and Spanish 2). I will also be taking Calculus 1 and 2, Advanced Biology, and Macroeconomics (possibly Micro as well- depends on the scheduler’s mood :/).
My SAT I was 1390 first try, and I’m not retaking it. SAT II’s were 710 for Lit., 660 for French, and 650 for Biology M (will retake in October). I’m taking Math II in October.
For extracurriculars, I am the captain of the Robotics team 2 years running, work at a hospital shadowing a neurosurgeon, and am in the process of getting an EMT certification. I also play piano and help out occasionally in the tech room of my school.
I don’t play any sports, and I haven’t gotten any awards that I can think of that would count.
I plan on majoring in Biology and Computer Science.
I’m currently living on campus as part of a selective summer science program- would that help my chances?
Thanks in advance, and if there’s anything I’m missing, please let me know and I’ll add it!
I think you have a very good chance at Smith.
The average GPA for entering freshman is 3.9 but everything else seems to be okay.
Since you’re early decision I think you’ll probably have a good chance, the only thing that’s holding you back is that GPA
Only 65% of the enrolled women have a GPA or 3.75 and higher.
Additionally, even if 65% of the enrolled students had a 4.0 (they didn’t), I don’t see how according to the Common Data Set the average GPA is 3.94.
Also, 29% of enrolled students didn’t submit a high school GPA
http://www.smith.edu/ir/docs/Smith_College_CDS_2015-2016_Complete_5-16-2016.pdf
Are we talking averages among those who were admitted, or averages among those who are enrolled? Because some who were admitted did not choose Smith. I suspect that the average GPA among admits is higher than the average GPA among enrollees, given the heavy competition for yield among Smith and its competitors.
I think for the sake of judging the OP’s chances at admittance, we should be using the average GPA among those who were admitted.
Interesting that according to the CDS Smith’s freshman retention rate s 90.3%, which seems quite low for a top college.
Some years ago, Smith issued a report addressing the low(ish) retention rate compared to its peers. The two predominant reasons 1st year students transferred was because of social and/or financial issues. Smith enrolls a significant percentage of Pell Grant recipients.