Hello everyone!
I’m looking for some help in choosing which school of these two would be the right to
apply to. I’m a rising senior with a 4.16 GPA, a 1500 on the SAT (and I got a 1490 on the PSAT so I’ll probably be a National Merit Semifinalist), and a 4 on the APUSH exam. I go to a boarding school (on an almost full scholarship) where I’m a prefect (like an RA) in my dorm. I’m also the student body president, editor for the school newspaper, a member of the Student Investment Committee, the varsity softball manager, stage manager for most theatrical and dance productions, and have studied abroad over the summer in Guatemala speaking Spanish.
I visited Smith earlier this year and loved it; I’m definitely going to apply. I won’t have the chance to visit Wellesley before application season (I live in Ohio), so it’d be great if you all could help me decide whether it’s worth it to apply to there. I know it’s a good school, so I’m worried I won’t get it. I’m very interested in international relations, Spanish, and film. I like small schools with big resources and a strong sense of community. Should I apply? Is it feasible?
Thanks!
You seem like a strong applicant for both schools. Why is it either/or? Are you asking about applying ED to one vs. the other? Since you mention having a scholarship for your current school, you should know that Smith has a robust merit aid program while Wellesley has none. Both have strong need-based aid, though. Have you & your parents run NPCs for both? One last comment: Both schools will look for demonstrated interest, so visiting and interviewing can make a difference. Also be sure to put thought and effort into the “Why us?” supplements (e.g., the Wellesley 100 prompt if it still exists).
Apply to both. Since you already know you love Smith, apply there ED. You can always withdraw your Wellesley application if you get into Smith in the ED round, but you’re certainly a candidate for both.
I agree that you sound like an excellent candidate, and I would apply for both with your background. I’m biased toward Smith as an alum, but both will offer you ample opportunities to study, continue your involvement in the activities you enjoy, and potentially study abroad. Take a look at the combined Smith/Wellesley PRESHCO program, in Cordoba, Spain, for example. Both schools also offer programs that involve the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, Switzerland. I did the Smith full year abroad program in Geneva (French immersion) and it was absolutely fantastic. Hands down one of the best years of my life.
I will just mention that it /is/ easier to get into Boston from Wellesley than it is from Smith if you don’t have a car. Northampton is a great small town, but if you get a hankering for the big city, the bus or train ride from Northampton to Boston is a little more involved than you’d expect, so a lot of students don’t make the trip very often.
You should be aware that with your stats, you could be a candidate for merit aid from Smith, as @Itisatruth said. However, unless things have changed since my D applied (8 years ago now, wow!) your chances of getting merit aid as an ED applicant are quite low. Merit aid is a recruitment tool, and there’s little incentive for a college to offer it to someone who has already promised to attend.