<p>Hello, I am an international student from Bulgaria, and I'm attending the best school in the country. I would like to hear your opinions as to whether I have a chance into getting accepted :)</p>
<p>Location: Bulgaria
College Class Year: 2014
High School: Private
High School Type: sends many grads to top schools
Will apply for financial aid: Yes</p>
<p>The Bulgarian ed system requires us to take about 13 different mandatory subjects, and we also have 2 electives, so it's very hard to get all A's. Besides, my school is the only one with real EC opportunities. </p>
<p>Academics:</p>
<p>GPA - Unweighted: 3.65
GPA - Weighted: 0.00
Class Size: 120</p>
<p>Scores:</p>
<p>SAT I Math: 780
SAT I Critical Reading: 730
SAT I Writing: 730
SAT II Math Level 1 (IC): 740
SAT II Biology - E: 770</p>
<p>AP Biology: 5
AP Psychology: 5
I studied on my own for both exams, because my school doesn't offer AP courses.</p>
<p>ECs:</p>
<p>Women Soccer Team: 4 years, this year I'm the captain
Computer Graphics Club: 4 years, 3 of them president
Psychology Club: 2 years
Photography Club: 2 years
American Sign Language: 2 years
I started a Film Production Project this year, with a ton of different activities planned.</p>
<p>I organized the first Day of Silence in my school( actually in the country, too).
I've done some other community service work like Special Olympics volunteering for two years. </p>
<p>I am the only one from my class who chose to do a Senior Independent Honors Project. I am doing a documentary about human trafficking in Bulgaria, which is closely related to what I want to study. I want to get a double major in Film Studies and Computer Science.</p>
<p>Thank you in advance :)</p>
<p>hey, 21 views and not 1 answer? come on, ppl :)</p>
<p>I’m sorry, I guess I’m just really nervous since I’m done with all my apps and hate waiting…</p>
<p>Hi, I’m a first year at Smith. I’m pretty sure the reason I got into Smith was because of my research out of school. I think Smith will be impressed with what you’ve done-the honors thesis that is. If they see that you’re passionate in something and have pursued it then you’ll be fine. Your scores are good too, but they’re more interested in what you’ve done. With a good essay and recommendations you should be set.
I was just as nervous as you when applying to college, so don’t worry.</p>
<p>It’s very hard to chance international students, especially if they’re applying for financial aid. Theoretically, they’re looking for the same things from them as they are from American students, but the wide variety in school systems, grading practices, and the small pot of financial aid available to international students means that it would be very hard for anyone on these boards to evaluate you well, unless they were familiar with the Bulgarian system (or with your school specifically since you go to a private school). </p>
<p>I will say that you’re activities are very impressive. Doing a documentary on human trafficking, starting the first national day of silence, all of those things will make you stand a long ways out from the other applicants. Your club activities also show that you’re a well-rounded person. </p>
<p>Your test scores are good, though honestly your GPA is not very high. The other things, and the special requirements of your school and country may balance that out in the end though. </p>
<p>So basically my assessment would be: strong and unusual EC’s, good test scores, comes from a country without many applicants to Smith so that works in your favor. Downsides are the lower GPA and the need for financial aid. Unfortunately I don’t work for admissions so I can’t tell you which factors will win out, but you’ll know in a few months. Until then, good luck!</p>
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<p>Cyber, your gpa is fine and will be viewed in context of your school. 52% of enrolled women had a gpa around yours or lower. Some much lower. Your test scores are great and in the top 15-20%
Relax and good luck.</p>
<p>48% had h.s. GPA of 3.75 and higher
35% had h.s. GPA between 3.5 and 3.74
10% had h.s. GPA between 3.25 and 3.49
6% had h.s. GPA between 3.0 and 3.24
1% had h.s. GPA between 2.5 and 2.99</p>
<p>Edit: I don’t see anywhere you mentioned aid.</p>
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<p>Sorry. I see it now. Are you asking for a great deal of aid or some?</p>
<p>You are in dear. I just don’t know about how much aid you are going to get. But your curriculum is really impressive and a 3.6 is really good. You are in the range. Not to mention: Smith just has 3 Bulgarian students (and 2 are graduating this year), against countries that they have 10 such Pakistan and Korea, that’s a HUGE plus for you!</p>
<p>ayllalunes, where did you get the stats about 3 Bulgarian students being the school? i want to know how many there are from my side of the continent as well! </p>
<p>also, cybersentience, i think you would make a very competitive applicant, good luck!</p>
<p>I am an international sophomore at Smith, and I can say that you are a very strong candidate, I think you will get in. I personally know a bunch of Bulgarian students here (at least 4, 1 senior), but this is not too much, compared to the number of students from China and Korea. Good luck 
If you have any questions about international students’ lives here, feel free to ask. </p>
<p>@jamapelle - where are you from?</p>
<p>SmithieandProud is correct with her statement that “chancing” an international student who has applied for aid is almost impossible. The financial aid pool for these students is much smaller than for domestic students, making it much more competitive. </p>
<p>You are a strong candidate, and I would be shocked if you didn’t make it into that final pool of international applicants; however, much will be determined by the other international applicants, how much money Smith has put aside for internationals, and how much aid you need. You definitely have many qualities that Smith would appreciate.</p>
<p>@montanaro, it’s hard to say where i’m from. i was born in Singapore, but my heart is in Indonesia. Both my parents are Indonesian, and I would say, I am Indonesian by blood, although the birth cert and passport indicate otherwise. and unfortunately, i would be in the running with other gung-ho singaporean applicants, and not appear so ‘special’ anymore.</p>
<p>Jamapelle, I hope you emphasized your Indonesian heritage in your application so it will be distinct from the other Singaporean applicants. Perhaps in your essay somehow or elsewhere?</p>
<p>carolynB, i actually considered that, but there was something else i wanted to convey in my essay especially since i am applying as a Transfer. but i did indicate ‘Other’ and listed Java - Indonesia in one of the Demographics questions on the commonapp. hope that’ll suffice!</p>
<p>Jamapelle, perhaps it will suffice, but if you want to add something, you could probably still send them a short addendum to your application explaining your heritage. I don’t think it would hurt if it’s a quickie explanation. However, the fact that you’re applying as a transfer may also put you in a different category as well. I have no idea how they handle the transfer student vs. first-year student issue for internationals, so perhaps you just roll the dice and take your chances! I’m sure you’ve made a good case for yourself with what you’ve done. Good luck! And let us know what happens.</p>
<p>thanks for your support CarolynB, I’ll keep you posted! ;)</p>