<p>
</p>
<p>I’m almost afraid to ask. Why?</p>
<p>If the answer isn’t TOS appropriate, slide me a note under the desk. :)</p>
<p>CrewDad, forgive me for asking–what is “TOS”? Maybe then I’ll be able to wink, wink, nod, nod… You can PM me, if you want.</p>
<p>Carolyn, TOS means “Terms of Service”</p>
<p>SubwayMom, thanks for the explanation. I received a PM from CrewDad. As I said to him, it strikes me that Terms of Service are mostly directed to those who are immoderate or disrespectful and I’m neither. :)</p>
<p>Well this thread has taken a turn from its original intent a bit…I would appreciate any other advise as I pursue admission to Smith. Thanks!</p>
<p>Kalodie, your leadership ECs will get you a careful look. I think you have the best chance if you apply ED – provided that Smith ends up being your first choice. </p>
<p>Much also depends on who else is applying from your school. My D went to a small, private, competitive HS, and six women, all of whom were AP students, applied to Smith. Two were accepted: my D, who I think had the highest grades/SAT scores, and another, who was probably below the others in terms of grades (still good, though!) but who had a lot of leadership and community service. All six were accepted to MHC and Bryn Mawr. Interestingly, the two who were accepted by Smith both attended despite having many other choices, coed and all-women. The Smith adcom must have correctly identified the two with the best fit.</p>
<p>My daughter had about 450 in her graduating class from a competitive, suburban, public high school in the Midwest. Two of my daughter’s HS friends were also accepted to Smith, and both attend. One had a profile very similar to yours. Her grades might have been slightly higher but her ECs were not as impressive as yours. She did not need FA. My daughter and the other applicant did. All the girls had other strong choices, and all opted for Smith.</p>
<p>I share Momwaitingfornew’s impression that the Smith admissions staff is skilled at discerning who would best fit. </p>
<p>Good luck, and enjoy your visit next month!</p>
<p>THank you both so much. I am not sure about ED as of yet and I am looking at Tisch for film as well although the two schools are very different. The average GPA in the last graduating class from my school was a 3.32 with only about 50 girls so I am right in the thick of it from that perspective. Maybe I should consider swimming for Smith as well…I am a 5 year Varsity swimmer…not great but definitely a contributor. I can hardly wait to visit next month.</p>
<p>Hi Kalodie,</p>
<p>I’m a Smith rising junior and I’m on campus this summer doing research. PM me if you have any questions and want answers from a current student’s perspective.</p>
<p>As far as your stats go, I think you look great. As others have said, it depends on how many people from your school apply, etc.</p>
<p>You are a solid applicant, but I wouldn’t say it’s a gaurantee. The number of apps Smith has been getting is continuing to increase and the applicant pool continues to be more refined along with it. I’m not sure what your overall transcript looks like, but a 3.3 GPA sounds average to me in terms of grades of applicants. Though you clearly have a passion you’ve purused in depth (swimming) which can allow you to stand out in that field. I would say Smith is a good target school for you.</p>
<p>However, you say you’re interested in film: Smith’s film studies dept is quite small, but is also much stronger in film crit compared to other comparable programs at other schools quality-wise. If you’re looking to MAKE films, it may not be the program for you.</p>
<p>THanks MeredithBelle. I am not interested in production but rather film/media studies which I see Smith has in conjunction with the 4 other colleges. I am looking to study both film history and new media and am taking summer courses in each of those. I know schools like NYU are more focused on film but I think that is all their programs focus on and I want to not only be more well rounded but have other opportunities as well. Even if my stats were better I would not feel like any place is a guarantee nowadays…particularly a school with such a fine reputation as Smith. I am also coming from an all girls school with a strong sense of tradition so that is something I am also looking for. </p>
<p>Lovodopa…I have been really busy with my classes but hope you do not mind if I PM you some questions in the near future before my visit and interview.</p>
<p>I also want to say that I have posted in a few other threads over the last several months and this is by far the friendliest and most helpful responses I have received so thank you everyone.</p>
<p>After pouring over a plethora of reviews regarding Smith, I am left apprehensive. The concensus seems to be that the food is gross, the campus has too many rules regarding partying, and the houses are unkempt. I know these things seem trivial, and really shouldn’t be the make or break, but when you go to a college, your paying for the entire <em>experience</em> and I don’t want it to be the same as my life now. Also, how vibrant is Northampton, exactly? What kinds of things do they have? And how easy is it to hop on the PVTA? How are the library hours and dining hours? I heard there also quite restricting…</p>
<p>After posting the same negative post in multiple threads, I think the term “■■■■■” can be applied without much hesitation.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>It would appear, Toadstool produced a spore.</p>
<p>I’m just trying to get as many answers as possible from as many people. I feel like if your not posting a thread saying your applying to Harvard or MIT, people don’t even want to look at your post. Posts regarding top LAC’s go ignored most of the time, and this is really annoying. I disagree with your comments on my negativity. I’m a prospie who just wants some answers…and believe it or not, it seems most Smithies feel the same way…Everyone I’ve asked said the food is gross and there’s too many rules. Despite these things, I’m STILL in love with the Smith faculty and the amazing education you will recieve. I didn’t say that because I wanted to cut to the chase, and I didnt know I would be persecuted for having an opinion. I thought they said Smithies were supposed to be warm AND tolerant…not cold and judgmental.</p>
<p>Inconspicuous–I think the only reason TD said you were a ■■■■■ is because you posted on so many threads. One would have sufficed, as threads that have new responses are moved to the top of the forum and marked as unread for members. </p>
<p>I’m an incoming first year, so most of what I know is second hand either from a close friend of mine who goes to Smith or from a recent alum I talked to a fair amount, but I s’pose I’ll share it regardless. </p>
<p>As far as food goes, I’ve had a few meals there (on open house events, where the food tends to be a bit better and on random visits to friends) and the food has never been gross. Or at least, no worse than other institutionalized food I’ve had. Of course, my family grows and can most of our own vegetables and such, so it definitely is a step down from what I’m used to. :]</p>
<p>I always liked the housing system at Smith (it was a big draw for me) and the room my friend had as a freshman was huuuge and gorgeous–wood floors, big windows, maybe a window seat? Obviously some rooms are smaller, but all the ones I’ve seen are pretty nice. </p>
<p>Um, partying. I’ve never really heard any complaints from the various people I’ve met with/talked to at Smith. Of course, there doesn’t seem to be many large keggers or whatever, but the (mostly moderate, I guess) partiers I know have no trouble getting alcohol or finding places to party, even if the parties <em>are</em> on a smaller size. Of course, I’ve also heard people complain about the bureaucracy…but come on, I doubt there’s a college where people don’t.</p>
<p>Just out of curiosity, what reviews are you reading? I thought I had found all of those college review sites, and other than College Prow ler (which I personally feel like is geared more towards the typical student interested in frat parties over academics, etc.), the majority of the reviews I read were positive. </p>
<p>Obviously my personal experience is pretty limited, but I do have a fair amount of second hand stuff and I can pass on more information if you need it…</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>In college, I had a friend who while in high school had a personal chef and parents who traveled so often, with little supervision, she did as she pleased. She too would have thought the food at Smith was gross and had too many rules. </p>
<p>Be discerning whose opinion you listen to.</p>
<p>***** has pretty much every college review you can think of. I REALLY appreciate your answer 
the site blocked it but its U N I G O. < Put it together…</p>
<p>My D is starting this fall,so I’m speaking from a few visits and can’t answer everything. Houses: beautiful, well kept, with many truly amazing rooms. One of the biggest draws of Smith. Food: much better than most colleges. Northampton: I wouldn’t really say vibrant, but it’s a very charming little town.</p>
<p>I think it is good to hear both sides to anything but most important to look for yourself and make your own decision based on your gut…not what everyone else says. So I am going in with an open mind and hopeful that I like it as much as I think I will.</p>