WILL CHANCE BACK- chance me for Smith College?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Well, I am an international student living in Japan (lived here all my life) but South Asian. I've been feeling nervous for the past few weeks about my Smith College application, so I would appreciate it if any of you could chance me. </p>

<p>I've had a bunch of problems during high school (which my counselor will explain in the rec) so my gpa right now is 3.45. The past two semesters I've been working really hard (my improvement is clearly shown on my transcript) to raise my poor gpa but this semester I had a extremely high fever during my AP calc AB exam and did extremely bad on my exam. Moreover, my school's math department is extremely tough---even with a C you can get a 5 on the AP exam. However, I got a C- for the semester and I am afraid this could lower my chances of getting admitted </p>

<p>Also, I speak five languages in total with English being my third language. Even though English is my third language, I decided to challenge myself by taking the toughest English courses available at school. </p>

<p>GPA: 3.45
SAT Score: 1900 (650 Math, 640 Writing, 610 Reading)
ACT Score: 26 (27 English, 27 Math, 30 Science, 21 Reading)</p>

<p>Extracurriculars and Awards:
Choir- 3 Years (Two Silver Awards in a District Wide Competition)
Debate- 2 years (JV first year and Varsity second year)
Community Service/Work Experience----Worked as an Assistant English teacher at a local english-speaking kindergarten (200 hours total)
Philippines Relief Organization (4 years)
6 Seasons of Sports Management (over 300 hours of experience) </p>

<p>Honors/AP Classes:
AP US History (Score: 4)
AP Biology (Score: 4)
AP Macroeconomics (Score: 5)
AP Japanese (Score: 5)
AP English Language and Composition (Score: 3---but I tried at least)</p>

<p>This year I am taking,
AP Calculus AB
AP Chemistry
AP Physics B
AP Environmental Science
AP English Language and Literature </p>

<p>Common Application Essay: How I want to become a doctor so that I can give free medical care to those who cannot afford the fees back in my country (Bangladesh)</p>

<p>Others:
First generation
International student</p>

<p>I've also done the optional interview with an alumna (who was extremely nice) and I believe it went well. </p>

<p>I absolutely love Smith College and I regret not applying for Early Decision because I know that this is the college I want to go to.</p>

2

<p>Your math department is certainly difficult.
However, considering your SAT scores 1900 (650 Math, 640 Writing, 610 Reading); especially math, I do not think your school is very difficult at all.</p>

3

<p>i believe 80-90%. that is good.</p>

4

<p>I do not think so.</p>

5

<p>my school IS difficult and the reason my SAT scores aren’t so high is because I’ve never actually sat down to study for the SATs.</p>

<p>Out of 60 Calc AB students 56 got 5s and 4 people got 4s. I’m not asking for whether you think my school is difficult or not.</p>

6

<p>That is a very delicate matter.
If your school is that difficult as you have explained it to us, then you have fair chances.
However, I do not think the admissions committee will buy your argument.
Your SAT scores are pretty low for Smith.
Your GPA does not help either.</p>

<p>Any other academic tidbits you could provide to us?</p>

7

<p>My argument isn’t that my school is difficult. My argument is that I bombed that Calculus exam with an extremely high fever (it was the first exam and I took the rest of the exams after winter break). Also, Smith College de-emphasizes SAT scores as they think that aren’t good indicators of how well you will do in college. My SAT scores do fall within the range, though. If you take a holistic view, what do you think my chances are, considering I did extremely well on my interview(she said I was extremely mature and that I would stand out, etc)?</p>

8

<p>It seems that for Smith, the top admissions factors are:

  1. Academic GPA
  2. Rigor of Secondary School Record
  3. Character/Personal Qualities
  4. Recommendations</p>

<p>Based on what you’ve provided I would say:

  1. Your GPA is definitely below average for Smith. Your HS GPA would be at about the 15th percentile of the Smith student body; however, if the 3.45 is unweighted (I’m assuming it is?) then it really isn’t that bad. The fact that you passed 5 AP Exams and are planning on taking 5 more definitely will help even the playing field for you.
  2. Like I already noted, your AP scores and classes would probably put you above average in the applicant pool in this regard.
  3. If your interview went as well as you said and you wrote good essays then you should be fine for this criteria.
  4. Not really sure who you got to do your Letters of Recommendation, but I’m assuming they’re pretty good.</p>

<p>Based on what Smith is looking for, your challenging course load, and the fact that you’d bring diversity to the campus, I’d say you have about a 75% chance of getting accepted.</p>

<p>Please chance me back!
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1081113-please-please-chance-me.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1081113-please-please-chance-me.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

9

<p>My argument isn’t that my school is difficult. My argument is that I bombed that Calculus exam with an extremely high fever (it was the first exam and I took the rest of the exams after winter break). Also, Smith College de-emphasizes SAT scores as they think that aren’t good indicators of how well you will do in college. My SAT scores do fall within the range, though. If you take a holistic view, what do you think my chances are, considering I did extremely well on my interview(she said I was extremely mature and that I would stand out, etc)?
^ Now we are talking.
If your counselor has mentioned that on her recommendation, you are fine.
Looking great.</p>

10

<p>Guys, thank you for the feedbacks. </p>

<p>My GPA, which I must agree, is extremely low. However, this was because I was facing problems at home (which my counselor mentions in her recommendation), but at the same time, my grades have been trajectory over the years so I’m guessing that would help a bunch. My semester GPA with the AP courses is significantly higher than my semester GPAs in the previous years when I didn’t have a challenging courseload (due to problems at home). </p>

<p>And yes, I do have pretty good recommendations. One is from my chemistry teacher who also happens to be my debate coach and he said he will talk about how good a debater I am and such. My second recommendation is from my English teacher and I’m guessing that one is good as well.</p>

11

<p>If your counselor mentioned

  1. Problems at home
  2. Fever</p>

<p>Then you are fine.
They will obviously see the upward trend.</p>

<p>I think you have solid chances, seeing that all of the stuff that you went through are clearly written on your application! :)</p>