<p>There aren't any "typical" Smithies.<br>
There are affluent women like the women profiled in the NYT, and there are women who receive Pell Grants. I think that it's misleading to discuss the "average" or typical Smith student. The beauty of Smith is that the women come from all races, religions, and socio-economic levels of society. The 20 or so freshmen in my daughter's house were all so diverse, she believes that it's possible that they were handpicked to represent different cultures and backgrounds.<br>
The one thing that they share is that they are all self-confident and smart.</p>
<p>I can vouch for the economic diversity at Smith. D has friends who barely have two dimes to rub together. She has others who are New England Old Money, a sub-species hitherto unknown to her. (One of my favorite observations of hers is how New England is so much more tribal in its social dynamics.)</p>
<p><<if even="" half="" of="" the="" smith="" ada="" comstock="" students="" were="" on="" pells,="">></if></p>
<p>75% (153) of Ada's receive Pells, equating to 24% of total Pells </p>
<p>For those interested, Allie Bellew is thriving at Smith. She's been accepted for a coveted internship at Microsoft.</p>
<p>More astounding, Allie has become an accomplish scholar while residing in the /gasp/ Quad. ;)</p>
<p>So . . . the sole reason that Smith has such a high percentage of Pell Grants has to do with Adas, not the more traditional undergrads?</p>
<p>This quote is mind-boggling: "Still, tales of classmates who didn't know how to make their beds because maids had always done it for them, or who talk about renting hotel rooms for a week to get away from the campus to study make "you realize that there's a reality that's completely different than your own," Ms. Hatch says."</p>
<p><so .="" the="" sole="" reason="" that="" smith="" has="" such="" a="" high="" percentage="" of="" pell="" grants="" to="" do="" with="" adas,="" not="" more="" traditional="" undergrads?=""></so></p>
<p>That isn't what I implied. I was surprised by the large number and thought others might find it interesting as well. I know of no other top college that extends it resources and offers older, less fortunate women the ability to continue their education to the extent Smith does---although Holyoke is close. And even if you exclude the 25 % of Adas receiving Pells, Smith would still be in the top 5....I think the more pertinent question would be, if Smith didn't have the Ada program, would the percentage of women receiving Pell grants still be ~25%?</p>
<p>The other factor relating to Smith's recruiting is explained in the article "But she says Smith has not made a concerted effort to reach out to needy students. Rather, as women have increasingly chosen to attend elite colleges once reserved for men, Smith has broadened its recruiting in order to maintain its enrollment."In expanding our applicant pool," Ms. Smith says, "we were required to be more thoughtful and aggressive and creative in terms of our marketing."</p>
<p>i.e. Smith recruits in the inner cities and rural areas most elite colleges ignore, for the most part.</p>
<br>
<p>So, turning down a full-pay student for a Pell recipient costs much more now than it used to, <</p>
<br>
<p>Admissions doesn't reject a financially secure student in lieu of a woman that's temporarily economically challenged. The 1st 95% admitted are done so on a need-blind basis. After the initial 95%, through a sophisticated computer program, the probable aid allotment is ascertained and, if exhausted, the remaining 5% are admitted on a need-aware basis. I.e ability to pay.</p>
<p>"That isn't what I implied. "</p>
<p>I misread your message, RLT. Trying to grade papers and perusing CC isn't a recommended combination.</p>
<p>I'm actually surprised that such a high percentage of the non-traditional students receive Pells.</p>
<p>"Trying to grade papers and perusing CC isn't a recommended combination."</p>
<p>Grading papers and sipping wine would be my choice. ;)</p>
<p>I'm surprised as well. But even subtracting the Ada's out, Smith's percentage of Pell grants rocks. And it contributes to the difference in the feeling around the campus as opposed to, oh, I dunno, <shuts eyes="" and="" picks="" a="" school="" at="" random="">, Wellesley.</shuts></p>
<p>That article seems so exaggerated... at my school, it's normal to take three or four APs. I'm taking five, I know people taking six. Most people I know, though, despite their rigorous class loads, amazing GPAs, etc, got rejected by the Ivies and similar top LACs. Haha, but I guess a D.C. metro suburb gets less attention than a high class Boston suburb x)</p>
<p>I know one of the young women who was interviewed for that article, in fact she was in the production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof that they mentioned. She is a gifted actress and has been involved in most of the theater productions at her school. She will be going to Drew University next year because of their excellent theater department and its proximity to NYC. I would say that this article was very accurate regarding how hard students in the Boston area work to get into selective schools. I was told that the author spent about a month at Newton North high school researching this article.</p>
<p>Cimmoresque - One thing that you might consider is that many of the students in this area have parents that went to some of the most selective colleges. It certainly doesn't hurt when you are applying to these schools that your parents are alumni.</p>
<p>Agreed Jacksonmom. Nor does it hurt to apply oneself to the extent of these young ladies and many more who wish to attend a highly selective school. Why are we making excuses for their hard work ethic, and desire to attend great schools? I applaud them for having the foresight and maturity to understand that hard work does pay off.</p>
<p>True... most of the parents around here went to the in state VA colleges, or are immigrants, so there are very few Ivy and LAC legacies (that go to public schools).</p>