<p>Just how competitive are the Seven Sisters (Smith and Mount Holyoke especially) in admissions? </p>
<p>My Stats:</p>
<p>3.5-3.6 G.P.A. (unweighted)
1800 SAT (will be retaking)
All honors and AP core classes
4 years of a foreign language
Will have good teacher recs
From the mid-west
Generally all my electives are geared toward my intended major of international relations
Only 4-5 ec's </p>
<p>Do these seem comparable to those being admitted into the schools? I have been looking into all of the Seven Sisters and was wondering if I should even take the time to apply with these stats. </p>
<p>Also, what about Wellesley and Bryn Mawr?</p>
<p>Do I stand a chance at being accepted at any of these schools?</p>
<p>I know Vassar and Barnard are way out of my league. </p>
<p>Also, being from the mid-west I can't really visit any schools (though as a junior, I want to try to make a trip up east this summer), so what are the major differences between the schools. I will be majoring in some form of international relations or government and unless I get a great job out of college, will be attending law school. I heard Smith is pretty good in these areas (I think I heard Mount Holyoke was as well), but am interested to know how the others stack up also.</p>
<p>If you can get your SAT up to 2000+ (Or try taking the ACT and shoot for 30+) you’ll have a shot at any of these schools. I don’t know about Bryn Mawr, but I’d put Wellesley in the same range as Vassar and Barnard.</p>
<p>Do you know your class rank?</p>
<p>I think if you can bring up your test scores and show a lot of passion in your essays (and show interest in other ways, make sure to request interviews), you have reasonable shot, with Wellesley, Vassar, and Barnard being reaches and the other three being matches.</p>
<p>I think you have a chance, though I don’t understand why you think Vassar and Barnard are way out of your league? </p>
<p>I would put pretty much all the 7 sisters colleges (which includes Vassar, btw, even though they are now co-ed) as about the same level of competition, with perhaps small differences here and there, depending on preference. I think it’s a reach for you, but not out of the realm of possibility.</p>
<p>Mount Holyoke is test optional, so if you want to apply there, they don’t have to look at your SAT scores unless you want them to. Not sure what other Seven Sisters schools are test optional, but you can find out at fairtest.org.</p>
<p>I think all of the Seven Sisters could be options for you, though if you could get your grades up a bit more, that would be helpful. These schools are more competitive than many think, and also, they are looking for people who will bring leadership and unique perspectives to the campus community. I’d suggest looking for opportunities to demonstrate leadership in your ECs and/or community service.</p>
<p>Does anyone know if Smith is also test optional? Also, what are the major differences between Smith and the other Seven Sister’s colleges and which would be the best for international relations or government and pre-law?</p>
<p>Also, how do the schools compare in terms of financial aid packages (which are the most generous with FA)?</p>
<p>Hahaha, so many questions. Yes, Smith is test optional. The easiest way to differentiate between most of the Seven Sisters is size and location, though everyone seems to find their own personal fit (it would be best if you could go and visit the ones you are interested. I loved Bryn Mawr in person, but knew it wasn’t for me when I went to visit. Smith I could tell right away was the right place). </p>
<p>In terms of academic repution, course offerings, etc. they are very similar. Though if you ask on this board, we will of course tell you that Smith is best. I was a government major at Smith and I can say their program was top notch. They also have a great Semester in Washington program and good study abroad options. </p>
<p>In financial aid terms, I would also say they are all similar. Smith pledges to meet 100% of a student’s financial need (as they calculate it), and I think the other schools do the same.</p>
<p>There are differences, in particular the test-optional places, and they may emphasize some admissions factors more than others and draw different crowd. Vassar, which has been coed for years now, has very different demographics from those that have remained all female. Some, such as Mt. Holyoke, have aggressively sought international students (about 30% of its population, I think).</p>
<p>in terms of shear numbers, in order of most to least competetive, the remaining five school (Vassar is now co-ed and Radcliffe no longer exists) go: Barnard, Wellesley, Bryn Mawr, Smith, Mt. Holyoke. However, Smith actively pursues more low-income students and Mt. Holyoke and Bryn Mawr actively peruse international kids. Also, because Barnard is in New York and Wellesley is the most well known the numbers are skewed. All are great schools. Smith and Mt. Holyoke are SAT optional.</p>
<p>If financial aid is a concern, you might consider doing each school’s new net price calculator (it does not take very long and should be part of college research now), then put the results into Excel, for another way to look at the colleges. Of Course, this does not take into account individual differences in offers, but it does give a rough idea to start with, which is a lot more financial aid info than applicants have had in past years.</p>
<p>So I’ve recently graduated from school and will be applying to the seven sister colleges…</p>
<p>I have all outstanding and honorary results and maintained an 89% in my final exams,
I was also the head prefect and president of the students’ league as well as my debate club. I also organized this year’s school level debate tournament.
Attended an international MUN conference and leadership summit last year…
Oh and yes I am the one of the toppers in my commerce batch…though not the best.
I have a lot of other ECAs…though the above mentioned are the ones that really count…Oh and btw, i’e got cambridge further math, does that count??</p>
<p>So what are the chances of me getting into any of the 7 sisters with 90% scholarship? I am an international applicant btw. :/</p>
Mount Holyoke is generally less competitive than Smith. If you look at their Common Data sets, you’ll have a better idea of how you are compared to the average accepted student.
Given what you’ve told us, I’d say MoHo is a high-match for you and Smith is a low-reach, but I wouldn’t be that shocked if you were admitted into both. Essays will probably play a big part in their decision for you.
