<p>Talking with D about Smith while she's been home has uncovered an issue that previously hadn't registered with me though it's a "Duh!" when you think about it:</p>
<p>the students who have the most trouble with grades at Smith are those who came from weak high schools and the students who had it the worst were those who hadn't known that their high schools were weak. D gave some thumbnail examples including one girl who became almost physically sick when she realized how better prepared most of the other students were. I've met one of them, a recent grad in fact, who wound up doing just fine after getting by some intial bumps in the road, a process that took about a year.</p>
<p>D and I had a similar conversation. The students who could get As in high school without trying or spending much time to do it struggled much more their first semester than did those who had to work hard for their grades. As the year goes on, though, most of these struggling students will learn better study habits and time management skills, and they will rise to their potential.</p>
<p>I think this is one reason why Smith does not count first year grades in the GPA. Because the college draws from so many different backgrounds (particularly disadvantaged ones), not allstudents are equally prepared for college work.</p>
<p>absolutely agreed. smith, as befits a school that really tries to give opportunities to women from a variety of academic backgrounds (underserved schools, community college transfers, older students, international students, etc) offers a ton of academic support services for those who need them, but sometimes students don't know they need them (or are embarrassed to ask for them) until it's pretty late in the game. </p>
<p>MomWFN, it might have just been a slip of the tongue (fingers?) but Smith absolutely does count firstyear grades in the GPA. When I applied to grad school, those grades were on my transcript and factored in. The only thing they don't count for is Latin Honors (ie, cum laude etc., given to the top 25% or so of the class as based on Smith and 5-college grades in courses taken after first year).</p>
<p>TheDad,
Thanks for bringing back some chilling memories for this Smith grad. I was one of those from a weak high school...and I knew it was weak. Just how weak, however, hit me, when my English professor gave me a C on my very first paper and wrote at the top "where did YOU go to high school?"</p>
<p>However, all's well that ends well. I took it upon myself to really "learn how to learn" something my high school had never taught -- and I resolved to take advantage of all the unbelievable resources at Smith. Like many others in the same boat, I was scared at first, but found my groove and ultimately managed to graduate magna cum laude. Not sure that would be possible today however --- back in the day there were no requirements except within your chosen major. But we did have to take "competence" exams in our majors. My class was the final one required to do so and we are forever known as "The Last Competent Class!"</p>
<p>Anyway, I'm excitedly looking forward to attending my xxth reunion in May!</p>
<p>I'm glad things worked out so well for you, Cattv. At least you knew your hs was week, so you had some forewarning. Being blindsided would be the absolute pits.</p>