<p>I am applying to Smith and Sarah Lawrence as a transfer for the fall of 2007. I've completed my Sarah Lawrence essay, but I'm having a bit of trouble with the common application and supplement information. </p>
<p>Does anyone have any tips?
What does Smith look for in their transfer applicants?</p>
<p>Would anyone like to read my essays?</p>
<p>While I can’t say anything regarding Smith, make sure that your Sarah Lawrence really distinguishes you as an “individual.” I have a friend that attends Sarah Lawrence and works at admissions and she was kind of telling me about how different the selection process is. So spend A LOT of time revising and really clarifying everything you want to say for it. Apparently there were kids that got into Yale but were rejected from Sarah Lawrence for 2011 due to the essay.</p>
<p>Do you mean fall of 2008?</p>
<p>Yes, I do. Sorry, just a typo. I am absolutely in love with Smith! Does anyone have any advice for a potential transfer?</p>
<p>anyone want to read my essays?</p>
<p>My Sarah Lawrence transfer application essay… </p>
<pre><code> You think Im stupid dont you? I was flabbergasted by my mothers blunt honesty. I was also struck by her accuracy. Although I had never admitted it, it was true. I had always been disappointed in my mothers G.E.D. and teenage pregnancy. It wasn’t until the funeral of her mother that I realized how wrong I was.
We had driven the four hours to Michigan to reunite with my mother’s estranged family. Climbing out of our car, I was greeted by the scene of a stereotypical southern family. I froze and for a split second and thought, “if I don’t move
they wont see me”.
While my mother attended community college in an impoverished Michigan suburb, my father graduated from Yale. I had always been ashamed of my mothers lack of formal education and intimidated by my fathers experience. I believed that true intellect could only be possessed by the few who received prestigious titles from selective schools. It was not an opinion that I had articulated, but one I believed entirely. I longed to join them.
The morning of my grandmother’s funeral my aunt asked me to help her prepare breakfast. I quickly noticed she did not measure anything. Never knew how, never needed to, she proclaimed.
I was amazed. She had learned through experience, not textbooks. The women of my extended family had never received formal education, yet they comprehended the world in a way I could not.
My entire life the ominous importance of academic successes and intellect was instilled in me, but was I actually better equipped to survive than these women? I cannot cook, I cannot fix a carburetor, and I cannot rear a child. All of these things, they did with such ease. It all seemed so simple, yet wholly unattainable. It was then that I became devoted to breaking through my dated idea of where lessons could be learned. I wanted to simply learn.
I want a holistic education, where I can disregard the separation of the real world and academic life. I know that intelligence cannot be measured by academic success. Truly intelligent people are willing to learn from the world around them, no matter how unlikely the source. I still revere the importance of traditional learning, but this experience made me recognize the intrinsic value of experiential learning. Education is ambiguous and immeasurable, because its sources cannot be specified. Judging a persons education is both impossible and useless. To dismiss a learning opportunity because of preconceived notions is to dismiss the idea of learning.
This experience helped to redefine my ideals of education and intellect, and thus lead me to Sarah Lawrence. Admission to Sarah Lawrence would mean I could learn in an environment where I would not have to separate my education from my intellect, my passion from my reasoning and most importantly, would not be asked to change my definition of what learning really is.
</code></pre>
<p>suggestions? comments?</p>
<p>The end (starting from “Truly intelligent people are willing…”) is almost a little redundant, but I like the way you tied the essay together. I think that they would read this and think that you would be a great fit. And the beginning/rest of the essay is brilliant, really. This essay will probably help you.</p>
<p>thank you for your constructive criticism and support.</p>
<p>I had a 3.2 in high school, and I will have a 3.6-8 by the end of this year. I only got a 22 on the ACT (low I know…) but SL doesn’t take ACT as part of the admission process. My recommendations and essays are strong, but I’m worried about my G.P.A.</p>
<p>I’m actually transferring out of an art school conservatory in pursuit of more academics/opportunity.</p>
<p>Sarah Lawrence
Smith College</p>
<p>Chance me! Please?</p>
<p>No prob redbravo. You are a strong writer and I am sure that you will succeed at either college.</p>
<p>3.2 is not bad, especially if it was brought down mainly by a math or something specific that you are clearly not planning on majoring in.</p>
<p>I never took the ACT or SAT in HS and recently took them for the first time. It was definitely annoying as an adult who works mainly afternoon and evening hours and never takes classes before 10 (Also, an adult who hasn’t seen even remotely related material in years). And you know what? I refused to retake them, even though I know I could have done better if I had studied for the ACT (not so big here) or not been ill on the day of the SAT. Why? Because the SAT and ACT are BS! Any school who looks down upon a student with lower test scores for tests meant to prove college success, but proven success in actual college classes, is just full of itself. Sarah Lawrence and Smith seem like reasonable liberal arts schools, and I would hope that they would weight your ACT very lightly. </p>
<p>If you can manage a 3.8, then you have nothing to worry about, I think. I don’t know anything about your school, but 3.8 is high. Even 3.6 is great.</p>
<p>Don’t worry, Redbravo. My chance means nothing, but as long as you keep your grades up, I think Sarah Lawrence is is match. They care about fit there, I think, and you do seem to fit, based on my limited knowledge.</p>
<p>I don’t know how much importance Smith will place on the ACT, which they require for transfers. As I said though, I would hope that the answer would be “not much.” Maybe consider retaking the test in Jan, if you feel concerned. As long as the grades are in place and you have some strong ECCs (they care about that, but as you are in a conservatory, I’d assume that it isn’t an issue), the only “off” part is the testing.</p>
<p>Actually, I just took a look at my final report card. Turns out I had a 3.04, but yes it was brought significantly down by math and sciences. I went to a fairly competitive high school. Hold part time jobs through out high school, and had strong ec’s.</p>
<p>I’m still worried because I have NO ec’s in college. And I won’t find out my G.P.A. until winter break. So in a way, I have to apply blind. But I love Smith/Sarah Lawrence so much that I’m going to try.</p>
<p>I can’t even concentrate because I think about admission to those colleges so often. I pray I get in.</p>
<p>Maybe you can start getting involved? Worst comes to worst, you can re-apply with a stronger app. Also, 4 or 5 months of activity is still better than none. PLUS, getting involved might keep your mind off transferring (only when thinking too much isn’t productive, of course). Also, are do doing plays/whatever after class for your conservatory? If so, that will probably be taken into consideration.</p>
<p>Sadly, no. You aren’t cast in any shows until junior year. Because of the time commitment required here there are only a few clubs that even exist. The few that do rarely meet.</p>
<p>here is my rough outline of what I wanted to say…</p>
<p>While applying to College the first time, I was immediately drawn to Cornish College of the Arts, a small private visual arts college. Its small classes, unrelenting pursuit of the arts and professional faculty appealed to me. As time went on however, I realized that I was not receiving the best education I could. Studying in a conservatory style environment meant copious amounts of rehearsal time with little focus on academics.
The music and dance students studied on a separate campus from theater and arts, literally dividing the small school in half. Long class hours and few student activity groups made meeting students outside of your major nearly impossible. The urban environment in combination with no student housing meant no identifiable community amongst students.
Although Cornish was physically and emotionally stimulating, I find myself overworked and unfulfilled. I want to have a comprehensive study of the arts, but as an artist I believe it is necessary to partake in a broader education. At Cornish, academics were provided but because the required humanities and science classes were pass/fail many students considered them a second priority. I am not willing to sacrifice academics to pursue the fine arts. I want to engage in an education that encourages a harmony between academics and arts, with a wide range of classes to choose from.
In transferring I hope to gain a sense of community and be exposed to a more diverse student body, with a cohesive community. I hope to be apart of unique educational experience that will provide me with facilities and resources while preparing me for a career.
In many ways, my experience at Cornish College has improved me as an actor, solidified my independence, and helped to shape my ideals of education. In doing so, I have realized that Cornish College of the Arts provides a incredible arts education, but does not accommodate those who believe that academics and arts should compliment each other - not compete.</p>
<p>rough I know, somewhat childish and overly casual. It’s hard not to come off as saying “CORNISH IS NOT ENOUGH FOR ME” when thats how I feel somedays…I’m just STUCK.</p>
<p>I think that by complimenting the arts at Cornish, but pointing out that the focus of arts over academics is unbalanced, you make a good argument for both of these schools. It should be polished more, of course, but the idea is a good one, IMO. The one thing that probably should be avoided is “whining.” Right now I think you are more maturely pointing out what you want, but make sure not to fall into the “my school doesn’t have a to z” trap. Say it, or allude to it, but don’t harp. I think that both Smith and Sarah Lawrence are balanced. If I get into Smith next semester (don’t worry, I’m not your competition; I am applying for spring, not fall :)), I will probably be able to give you better advice. Send me a PM and I’ll give you my email, which is the easiest way to speak with me. </p>
<p>Also, I think your strengths play to what these schools want: articulate, strong writers who value a liberal arts education and community. Or, Smith values community, not so sure about SL. Also, maybe look at Bard? It is similar to sarah lawrence, IMO. And Mount Holyoke is a good school that is similar to Smith, but in a more rural area (but a very beautiful area! and the campus is STUNNING!). Also,
some people disagree, but when I visited MoHo, the women seemed less openly liberal. Girls at Smith are more eccentric, I think. Moho is also a good choice for those of us who sucked at the math section of the SAT or ACT (me!) because Moho is SAT optional.</p>
<p>I made a few changes…any constructive criticism would be appreciated.</p>
<pre><code> While applying to college the first time, I was immediately drawn to Cornish College of the Arts, a small private arts college. Cornish’s small classes, unrelenting commitment to the arts, eccentric student body, and professional faculty appealed to me, and still appeal to me. As time went on, however, I realized that I was not receiving the education I wanted. Studying in a conservatory-style environment meant copious amounts of rehearsal time with little focus on academics.
The music and dance students study on a separate campus from theater and arts, literally dividing the small school in half. Long class hours and few student activity groups makes meeting students outside of my major nearly impossible. The urban environment, and the absence of student housing means no identifiable community amongst students. A unified student community is absolutely vital to an artistic community’s vivacity and the lack of collaboration between departments prevents Cornish from having one.
Although Cornish is professionally and emotionally stimulating, I find myself overworked and under fulfilled. I want a comprehensive study of the arts, but as an artist I believe it is necessary to pursue in a broader education. At Cornish, academics are provided, but because the required humanities and science classes are pass/fail many students consider them a second priority. I do not, and am not willing to sacrifice traditional academics to pursue the fine arts.
I want to engage in an education with a harmony between academics and arts, and with a wide range of classes. I know that studying in different disciplines provides me with a complete education, and also improves me as an artist. In transferring I hope to gain a sense of community and be exposed to a more diverse and cohesive student body. I want a unique liberal arts education, one that will provide me with facilities and resources while preparing me for a career in any field.
Cornish College has improved me as an actor, solidified my independence, and helped to shape my ideals of education. Cornish College of the Arts provides amazing artistic instruction, but it does not provided the social and academic, opportunities or diversity that I am looking for.
</code></pre>
<p>Does anyone have an example of a personal essay that gained acceptance to Sarah Lawrence college?</p>