Do I have a shot at Smith?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Smith College
1

<p>I shan't list all of my interests and small projects. I shall only jot down my stats and await your replies.</p>

<p>State: Tennessee
Income: Low
High School: Public, suburban, somewhat competitive
Race: Caucasian</p>

<p>GPA: 3.29
Honors Credits: 1
AP Credits: 0
Years of English: 4
Years of Math: 4 (Foundations II, Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II)
Years of Latin: 2
Years of Social Studies: 3
Years of Science: 3 (Life Science, Biology, Chemistry)
Notable Electives: Advanced Art, Study of Shakespeare, Film Studies, Creative Writing, Theater, Public Speaking</p>

<p>Senior Courseload: Occupational Therapy, Advanced Art, Government, Film Studies, More Occupational Therapy, Algebra II, Study of Shakespeare, English IV</p>

<p>ACT Composite: 29
ACT Verbal: 35
ACT Math: 18</p>

<p>Extracurriculars: Creative Writing Club, Literary Magazine (editor and contributor), Gay-Straight Alliance, Science Olympiad</p>

<p>Volunteer work: giving speeches at autism conferences, hosting nature walks for autistic children, assisting _____ County Schools' resident autism expert with her presentations, helping my autistic classmates---yes, I have a passion :)</p>

<p>Curiosities: I am a nationally published poet; I have read 450 books in the past four years. </p>

<p>Could I get into Smith? Whether you say yes or no or "it all depends on your essays", I thank you for your responses.</p>

2

<p>your extracurrics are pretty good
excellent act verbal, if you could get your math up even a little it would help your case a ton
other wise i think you have a decent shot
if possible try to raise your gpa and take harder classes
you sound like a very interesting person based on your extracurrics colleges like that</p>

3

<p>To be honest, I think the fact that you’ve got a 3.29 but you haven’t taken any AP courses, even though they are offered at your school and that you only have one honors credit will probably be a stumbling block. Extracurricular activities and being a nationally published poet are very interesting, but the first thing they will look at will be your transcript and there are going to be some red flags. </p>

<p>Also, I think they may find it confusing that you’re taking so much occupational therapy an then applying to a liberal arts college where you’ll have no chance of developing those skills for four years. They may end up thinking that those slots could have been better used with a challengig honors or AP class if you were seriously wanting to position yourself for a very competitive college. </p>

<p>To make this work you’re gon to need amazing essays, also I would definitely do an interview so that there’s some kind of record about why you have no AP and few honors courses on your transcript, and I would definitely do an arts supement and submit poems and samples of your artwork, since your strongest case appears to be that you offer well developed literary and artisti talents</p>

4

<p>Sorry, I missed the part about your passion for assisting people with autism, anothr interesting thing to emphasize in your essays and interviews, especially if you plan to pursue that through science study in college. If you could get the county autism expert to write a recommendation that would strengthen your case still further. Still though, you would need to make the case thY smith is the best place for you to further that passion and I don’t know if that’s neccessarily so. And just want to be clear that earlier I was not saying that OT is not challenging (my mom is an OT) but simply that admissions propel are going to prefer seeing AP English or honors math to lots of therapuy courses</p>

<p>I’m curious actually, why are you considering smith?</p>

5

<p>I’m skeptical. The GPA from a so-so high school makes me very queasy and the course load certainly doesn’t compensate…in fact, it adds to my queasiness.</p>

<p>If I were no the adcom, I’d stick your app into the “look at later” pile. Amazing essays and a sparkling interview might help. Iow, what S&P said. </p>

<p>You should be prepared that should you get into Smith you’re going to be seriously outgunned by students with far better preparation and a significantly higher degree of achievement and you will have to work your butt off three times as hard just to stay even.</p>

6

<p>Mostly, I was interested in Smith for the housing.</p>

<p>It was a fear of mine that I wouldn’t be an academic match; getting in doesn’t matter if you drop/transfer/flunk out anyway. Most of the schools I’m applying to are “3.0-3.7” schools where I think I would be happier, even if I had to live in a dorm. </p>

<p>I am not going to spend time correcting misconceptions about occupational therapy, for I think that everyone is right about my chances. Better luck to better-qualified applicants!</p>

7

<p>Hi MissPickwickian, I’m no expert on college admissions but I wanted to put in my 2 cents. I’m far from a match for Smith but I feel passionately about the school to know that if I don’t apply, I’ll regret it someday. What have I got to lose, anyways? Maybe if you feel passionately about the school, you should give it a shot? Good luck with whatever decision you make!</p>

8

<p>If you really like Smith, you SHOULD apply. It’s one of my favorite schools, too. The application’s free online, so what do you have to lose? </p>

<p>Also, Smith said that they look at the applications holistically. If you really emphasize your passions, write a good essay, and have good recommendations, I’d think you have a chance.</p>

9

<p>**MissPickwian: ** There is more to Smith than just the housing. It’s a great school and you should appy and see if you are accepted or not. </p>

<p>No one can accurately say how much of a chance you have to get in. GPA-wise your are low BUT try retaking your ACT or possibly try the SAT and see how that compares to your ACT score. You are passionate and have a lot of fascinating things about you that would catch people’s attention but try to work on the GPA and, if possible, show that your GPA has increased over 4 years. </p>

<p>I wish you luck!</p>

10

<p>Your academics are kinda below average compared to the applicants Smith usually gets to be completely honest. Though your passion for autism awareness/activism is certainly something that stands out about you. If you really love Smith, I would apply ED and play up your devotion to the cause. Not to mention the app is SAT/ACT optional.</p>