How are my chances?

<p>Hi, I'm really interested in Smith and I was wondering if anyone could tell me what they think my chances are. </p>

<p>Me:
White, from a public high school in a Philadelphia suburb</p>

<p>Grades:
Weighted GPA 5.00
School does not rank</p>

<p>Scores:
ACT composite: 34
ACT writing: 32</p>

<p>Classes:
9th grade
English 1H
African/Asian Studies H
Biology H
Geometry H
Freshman band
Latin 2H</p>

<p>10th grade
English 2H
Western Civ H
Chemistry H
Symphony Orchestra H
Latin 3H
Algebra IIH</p>

<p>11th grade
AP Language and Composition
AP US History
AP Physics C: Mechanics
Math Analysis & Trigonometry H
Latin 4H
Symphony Orchestra H</p>

<p>12th grade (as far as I know)
AP Literature and Composition
AP US Government
AP Calculus BC
AP Latin: Vergil
Symphony Orchestra H
Philosophy and Modern Culture
Theater Production (H, I think)</p>

<p>AP Scores:
AP Language and Composition - 5
AP US History - 5
AP Physics C: Mechanics - 4</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
7 shows with school theater company
-1 show asst. sound designer
-3 shows sound designer
-1 show lighting/sound crewhead
-will be applying for asst. props mistress for coming show
Several (I forget how many) articles written for school newspaper
Ultimate Frisbee team (will possibly be President this year)
National Honor Society
A/V Club</p>

<p>And, I did a three-week pre-college program at Vassar this summer</p>

<p>Also, I do have legacy there. My grandmother graduated from Smith. But she says that she doesn't give them any money (lol) and I've heard that legacy doesn't do much at most schools unless you apply ED. I'm visiting Smith next week, so if I absolutely fall in love with it there's a chance I'll apply ED. But if anyone could let me know if they know anything about legacy at Smith, I would appreciate it. </p>

<p>Thanks so much!</p>

<p>I think the legacy thing will not be a factor for you in this case. If you are accepted you’ll get invited to “Legacy Teas” and things, but otherwise, it will not really matter. The point of accepting legacies over other students is because you want to build a network of alums with strong ties to the school. If you have ties to a college, you care about it more, and people really only give money to the causes they care about a lot, whether that’s colleges or Darfur or the ASPCA or whatever. One of the strongest ties is family, so if they’re joined to the school not just as students but because it’s something of a “family tradition” that’s going to make the ties that much longer. But if your grandmother already doesn’t give any money that suggests she’s not really much tied to the school anyway, and so whether or not they accept you is not going to have a huge effect on that, at least not in the longterm. </p>

<p>I think you stand a good chance (these threads are not much use unless you’re a total shoo-in or a total no-go, so sorry I can’t be more specific), and it’s especially good that you look on paper to be well rounded, with strong grades in both humanities and sciences, taking AP Calc BC is going to make you stand out, as is the AP Physics C. Make sure to visit the Ford building on your visit.</p>

<p>re legacy teas? My D is a double legacy and as far as I know hasn’t been invited to anything like that although I’m not sure she would go if she did. She actually applied despite being a legacy :)</p>