<p>My bright LD daughter and I visited Smith recently. She loved it. She has always been an exuberant student who was dx'd with ADD in late elementary school. She was teased mercilessly in middle school and her confidence plummeted. She developed a lot of anxiety that affected her schoolwork. We moved to a new state for HS where, after a period of adjustment and gaining trust, she has thrived with the right academic setting and a group of fantastic friends.</p>
<p>Still, there's no question that Smith would be a real reach for her. However, my sense is that Smith is, at least in part, about empowering women to do things they might not have dreamed of. In a way, my daughter talks about this college as the next step in her journey from victim -> survivor -> leader.</p>
<p>Her grades are not those of the "ideal" Smithie - she's a solid B student with
great ECs (including fencing - Smith is one of the few schools w/ a fencing
activity, don't know if it's varsity). She tends to be deeply involved w/ a few interests and causes v. broad.</p>
<p>I think your daughter should give Smith a shot - I know nothing about how the admissions folks would view her, but I do know that there is support on campus for students with learning disabilities. I have always been a quiet person (not shy) and have found that Smith gave me a lot of leadership opportunities that I might not have been willing to pursue at other colleges. There are so many ways to be a leader (in your house, in your club, in the student government) that it's almost difficult not to pursue these oppurtunities at Smith. </p>
<p>I wouldn't let the B average keep her from applying. Most Smithies were not valedictorians.</p>
<p>I agree, I think she should give it a shot. I've got a few friends at Smith with mild LD who receive discreet and useful support (longer testing time, etc). She'd probably really like the fencing team, they're definitely quirky, but also a nice, tight-knit squad, and they do pretty well at nationals.</p>
<p>Another voice saying "go for it." Not a slam dunk but by no means impossible on the other hand either. I don't know that there is an "ideal" Smithie...they're all so different, which is one of the attractions of the place. I also hear that the fencing team is nice, quirky, and tight-knit, my D is friends with several of them.</p>
<p>Your daughter has absolutely nothing to lose by applying -- especially since the Smith application is free if she does it online.</p>
<p>It's impossible to predict what Smith sees in individual applicants. I've met women who were amazed that Smith accepted them -- and heard of others who couldn't believe that they were not accepted. If she articulates the transition you did above (maybe even in the "Why Smith?" essay), then it may strengthen her application. All schools, no matter what tier, want to hear how applicants have overcome, or adapted to, adversity.</p>
<p>Good luck to your daughter! While Smith may be a reach, it sounds as though it is a well-chosen one for your daughter's particular needs and desires.</p>