Please chance an international student :)

<p>Hello all! So I really want to attend Smith and would appreciate any advice regarding the same. I am from India, and I am going to require financial aid. Smith seems like a wonderful college and want to know if I have a good shot at being admitted.</p>

<p>I wish to pursue engineering.</p>

<p>I know there are lots of such threads here already, but please help me out here :D</p>

<p>So here are my stats :</p>

<p>SAT Reasoning : 2210 ( CR-740, M-790,W-680)
SAT Subject Tests : Maths II- 760, Chem- 790, Phy - 790
TOEFL IBT : 113</p>

<p>High School Record
In India, schools don't follow the GPA system, we have %
Ranks
Grade 9 : 96 % Rank: 1/200
Grade 10 : 96% [National Board Exam] [Top 1% in country]</p>

<p>Transferred to one of the most competitive schools in India that is under a different Board (CBSE)
Grade 11: Rank not available. (But I'm guessing top 10%)
Maths - A
Chem - B
Phy - A
English- A
Eng. Graphics- A</p>

<p>Grade 12: First term grades fell, got two ** and a C :( (Was ill during the exams,but cannot use that as an excuse)
Since then, have got As and ** but counselor won't make the changes on my transcript.
So, rank - Top 25%</p>

<p>Awards :
· Won the shield for The Best Outgoing Student in 2011. This shield is awarded to the
best graduating student.
· Was awarded the Aditi Savla Memorial trophy for Academic Excellence (only trophy for academic excellence)
· Constantly won the 1st Prize in General Proficiency and PTA Award for excellence
in Academics in the years 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.
· Besides General Proficiency, have regularly won Class Prizes for various subjects throughout school.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
I. RESEARCH</p>

<p>· May-June 2011 : In collaboration with a prominent agro-based manufacturer,
worked on initiating a model rural farming project, incorporating sustainable
agricultural practices. Aim was to utilize wastewater and other released industrial waste material in creating a green environment.We also carried out green-house
farming using eco-friendly methods.I was closely involved during the planning and
implementation.</p>

<p>· December 2011 : In collaboration with a prominent environmental laboratory,
volunteered as a Trainee Project Coordinator for a project mandated by the
Government of Maharashtra State for the planning of environmental policies.
Helped with the compilation of data, analysis and in the preparation of the report.
Interacted with technical experts.</p>

<p>· May 2010 : Participated in EUMIND Exchange programme. Was awarded
Certficate of Appreciation for Collaborative Work and Team Research done
during the Exchange trip to Belgium and the Netherlands .</p>

<p>· Hosted Dutch exchange students in 2009 and Belgian exchange students in
November 2010, for EuMind as part of collaborative work and team research.</p>

<p>II.COMMUNITY SERVICE</p>

<p>· As member and President of Interact Club and Junior Red Cross Society of the
School, participated in various community service programmes like visiting children’s
wards in Cancer Hospitals , organizing entertainment for inmates of Old Age homes,
helping out in homes for the mentally differently abled , holding Peace Marches for
communal unity, organizing fundraisers for flood/drought relief etc.</p>

<p>· Association with ‘ Shri Satguru Seva Trust’-a charitable trust working in rural
areas of India – being part of their food distribution to poor villages , in their hospital
and in setting up libraries for the schools set up for rural children.</p>

<p>· Lions International Club –Participated in their drives regarding ‘Tree Plantation
and Environmental Awareness’ and their ‘Annual Organ Donation Camp’ in
2012.</p>

<p>· In 2010, was appreciated by ‘ Helpage India ‘ for contribution in creating awareness
and assisting in raising funds for the care of the elderly, irrespective of race, religion,
caste or creed. </p>

<p>· As a Girl Scout for 8 years in school, volunteered for more than 200 hours of
community service.</p>

<p>· In 2010, was elected as the School President, of the Interact Club, Christ Church
School .
· Judged as the Best Interactor 2010-2011 , for active participation and leadership.
· Was elected as Sergeant-of-Arms and Director of the Interact Club in 2008 and
2009 respectively, for active participation in the club.</p>

<p>· Was an active patrol leader of Girl Guides in school. Won several prizes and gold
medals at state level competitions held by Scouts and Guides organization. </p>

<p>· Secured 6th position in India and scored 90% marks in the 51st Annual All India
UN Information Test conducted by Council for UN Information, a wing of United
Schools Organisation of India in 2008.</p>

<p>· Have written regularly in the Annual School Souvenir and have had three articles
published in a leading national newspaper.
· Have been part of editorial team for a leading National Newspaper (For
Student edition).</p>

<p>· In 2011, was elected as the School Prefect and was a member of the Student
Council.</p>

<p>· In 2011-12, won the bronze certificate in ‘Hypatia’-International Maths and
Computational Event organized by University of Waterloo, Canada.
· Been the School Topper in several other national and international olympiads (don't want to list them here)
· Awarded distinction in ‘Fermat’ International Maths Exam organized by the
University of Waterloo, Canada.</p>

<p>Been Class Representative at previous school for four years.</p>

<p>The school I am at presently offers practically no extracurricular opportunities, so I try to create them for myself.
I am preparing for JEE, which is supposedly the toughest engineering entrance exam in the world.</p>

<p>I know that no one can tell me for sure if I have a chance or not, but thanks for any opinion you can give.</p>

<p>Remember, I shall require financial aid. I can pay around $30k per year.</p>

<p>I really do love Smith.Women's LACs aren't very well-known in my country, I wish I'd know about Smith earlier.</p>

<p>I think you have a fine chance of being admitted. Your test scores look consistent so that’s good. Your grades, other than the C, look fine. Could your counselor explain you were sick during the exam? It’s not an excuse, just an explanation. Will the As you’ve earned since then show up on your transcript so admissions will see the improvement? When did you transfer to the more competitive school–at the beginning of 12th grade? If so, that could be useful for admissions to know. Your extracurriculars look great. I would think, if there are any inconsistencies, someone like a counselor or other school official should explain.</p>

<p>The engineering program is terrific; I know at least two students in the program and they love it! </p>

<p>Regarding financial aid, all you can do is state what you can afford through the required forms and see what happens. Good luck!</p>

<p>You sound awesome. I wouldn’t freak out too much about the C. I had two C’s on my transcript and I just got admitted ED 1. I offered a health-related explanation and I think it really helped. They do look at those things. You should definitely explain that you were sick for the exam.</p>

<p>You have a great shot and do explain why you got a ‘C’, it really helps</p>