Springfield Partnership

<p>Does anyone have any info on the Springfield/Smith Partnership? I've read about the scholarship, and I'm wondering if I have any chances of winning one of the three. It provides full tuition for all four years to springfield public school students (up to three). Any more info is really helpful.</p>

<p>I don't know anything specific but I've seen it listed among Smith's scholarships and have got to think that your odds are fairly good, assuming that you're already Smith material. For an average class of 650 students, how many are going to be from Springfield?</p>

<p>I can't find that information anywhere! I know that out of 696 entering freshmen, 17% were in state (which is about 120 students) but I have no idea how many of them were from Springfield. I just signed up for their Summer Preview, hopefully they may be able to provide that info.</p>

<p>Well, to do a quick and dirty statistical analysis, Massachusetts has 10 Congressional districts. Assuming uniform distribution of population, the Mass 2nd should have 10 perecent of the incoming in-state class, i.e., 12 students. The Massachusetts state population, per the 2000 census, was 6,340,000 and change, meaning approximately 634,000 per Congressional district. Springfield's population was 152,000 and change for the same census, meaning that it represents a little less than 1/4 of the CD as a whole. Therefore, again assuming uniform distribution of applicants & acceptees, that would leave approximately 3 admittees from Springfield. </p>

<p>I know that's a longish chain of assumptions. But. Even if there were 6 admittees from Springfield, you'd have a 50/50 chance, which is pretty durn good odds for a full scholarship.</p>

<p>You're right. Thanks a lot. I take it your daughter goes to Smith College. Does she like it? I'm thinking of applying e.d.</p>

<p>Ummm...you must be new. :)</p>

<p>I'm probably the board's biggest Smith honk, though Mini may overtake me upon occasion. Pesto and the others are so much more discreet.</p>

<p>Yes, my D goes to Smith, just finished her first year, and absolutely loves it. She had a research job there for the first part of the summer but is now home. Happy to be back here (SoCal) but very happy to be at Smith. Quote: Right now, they could offer me Harvard and I wouldn't take it.</p>

<p>There are several current Smith students on this board, including the very helpful Stacy, and a fair number of parents hovering around as well. Please feel free to start threads if you have any questions.</p>

<p>Thanks a lot for your help!</p>

<p>i'd be super-wary about applying early decision if you want non-need-based scholarships...since Smith knows you're bound to go if you get in, they don't have much of an incentive to offer you money. They could save the Springfield scholarships for people who may or may not accept an offer of admission. </p>

<p>but, if you're a borderline candidate and you know smith is the only place for you, AND money's not an issue, then definitely go ED and get the whole college application process over with.</p>

<p>Good point, about applying RD if you're looking for aid.</p>

<p>That's a good point. If I get into Smith I'm going there no matter what, but I would really like a scholarship. But don't I have a better chance of getting in if I apply ed? My number one objective is to get into Smith, although besides merit based scholarships, I don't think I would receive any need-based financial aid. My parents are well off- but not so much where they can afford to pay for all of my college. Maybe I should apply rd.</p>

<p>Why not try need-based financial aid?</p>

<p>I'll try it of course, but I'm going to focus my efforts on merit-based. I don't think there's much I can do in my power for need-based.</p>

<p>then I don't think you have the money problem, cos Smith will make sure every admitee can afford the education. Or do you want save some money for your family?</p>

<p>I think most people want to save some money; I just want to get into Smith and graduate w/o owing somebody money</p>

<p>Graduating without owing money requires either being lucky or having wealthy parents. There are many far far far worse things than graduating with some debt. Up to $20K for a school like Smith is a no-brainer, imo.</p>

<p>Yeah debt free is probably unrealistic- and there are definately worse things. But a springfield/smith partnership scholarship would definately help. Applying rd really makes sense, hopefully Smith will want me bad enough to offer me the scholarship ;)</p>

<p>Well, as I worked out the back-of-envelope numbers, I like your chances for the scholarship, assuming you match up well for admissions. How many public high schools are there in Springfield, two? Three?</p>

<p>I'm pretty sure I would be admitted, and there are five public schools, probably only four would be included because one of them is a vocational training school.</p>

<p>Mmm. Makes it harder to track other students. Anyone else from <em>your</em> hs particularly interested in Smith?</p>

<p>Not that I know of. The "smart kids" that are in my AP classes and what not are all going for Ivy League or Williams, and it seems like EVERYONE else is relying on a state school. I'm sure there has to be somebody else interested though. Our 2005 valedictorian is going to Wellesley, and her sister is in my class, so she may be interested- and she's definately competition.</p>