<p>I'm a senior and I just got my SAT results
720's on both reading and writing and a 560 on math
I know I could score quite a bit higher than this, at least in reading and writing, but I tend to be a horrible test taker.</p>
<p>I've got a 3.7 gpa unweighted
(discrepancies almost exclusively in spanish and math)
Very low class rank, something like 95 out of 542 (our weighting system is only + .003 for AP's)
AP psych score 5
AP composition 4
currently in AP art studio with an A
I'll be taking sociology and philosophy dual enrollment with a community college next semester because I've exhausted the social sciences at my high school
Aside from this my course load has been unfortunately minimized by heath problems. My classes haven't been basic necessarily but I haven't had a full schedule most of high school.</p>
<p>I have long standing involvement in artistic, cultural, and leadership oriented extracurriculars and head two clubs. I also work about 20 hours a week.</p>
<p>Smith's currently my top choice because it offers economic diversity and high aid (I qualify for free lunch), and a self designed major option.
I want to combine art and the social sciences to create a curriculum similar to Pratt's critical and visual studies major Pratt</a> Institute / critical & visual studies</p>
<p>I'm incredibly motivated, most of high school has been toughing it out, hoping for something better and more stimulating upon graduation, and I think Smith, with it's significant lesbian community and room for self directed studies could be it.</p>
<p>Beargarden, none of us can predict admissions, but it seems to me that you have several things going for you. Your ECs in particular (including the number of hours you work per week) seem like the kind of stuff Smith looks for in addition to solid academic performance.</p>
<p>And remember that Smith has downgraded test scores in importance, at least as far as admissions per se are concerned. Excellent scores can still be helpful when it comes to financial aid.</p>
<p>It sounds like you're within range, though as MWfN said, it's impossible for any of us to predict 100%. </p>
<p>One word of caution is that while self designed and directed studies are definitely possible here, you won't be in a large community of self directed majors. Most people work within the framework of regular majors, though that in and of itself is pretty flexible, and half of your credits do ned to come from non-major areas.</p>
<p>Do you have any idea how many people people do design their own major and how hard it is to get approved?
I think since I already have an existing frame work I stand a chance but I don't know if they would just see it as an excuse to avoid double majoring.</p>
<p>I don't know how many people design their own, or how hard it is to get approved, sorry. You could email the admissions office for more information. </p>
<p>The paperwork involves finding two professors willing to serve as advisors, and then you have to write a statement explaining why you can't pursue your desired course of study within the framework of existing majors.</p>
<p>Actually a double major might not be that bad at smith considering the lack of core requirements. I was just hesitant to add the extra year or two needed to pull it off at another institution. If I'm right though I'd have nearly enough credits left over after a single major to pursue another one. </p>
<p>It will be something I'll have to keep in mind... honestly though it's not just one particular area of the social sciences I'm interested in. I like psychology and sociology but my real passion is religion (I'm not religious myself), philosophy and other cultural studies. Maybe I'm just not being realistic or decisive enough:/</p>
<p>I'm certainly not the best person to advise you, as I am non US and my D is only a freshman. However she was welcomed at Smith with horrific SATs( spec. in maths) and adores every second of it. According to her, frosh year enables you to sample courses in all the subjects you are thinking of majoring in, under the supervision of an advisor, before having to declare majors and minors. So don't make a point of insisting on self-directed studies until you're there, and you are sure you can't find your niche in a pre-established curriculum. Sure, Smith is looking for strong women with original minds, but it seems a little premature to insist on this aspect (i.e. you don't really have what I'm looking for) while also trying to "sell" yourself as a good fit.</p>
<p>Yeah, double majoring would be significantly easier. Also, you can use a certain number of credits for both sets of major requirements, so you wouldn't even need to wait till you finish one major before doing the other. </p>
<p>If you want to double major though, I reccommend thinking about it early in your first year, as you'll have a lot of requirements to fill out. </p>
<p>But as LiT said, flexibility is important. No matter how sure you are about what you want now, when you get to your institution of choice, things may very well change.</p>
<p>Our D is a double major in Music and Italian Studies and double majors seem reasonable if you plan well. I agree with S&P about early planning is essential and your advisor should be able to help with that.</p>
<p>That's so long to wait:[ I'm the kind of kid who planed out her schedules for all of high school before she could choose what to take in ninth grade. It's so hard because Critical and Visual studies is my dream major but smith is shaping up to be my dream school. Even if I were to give all of that up to go to Pratt I'd never be able to afford it.</p>
<p>Being flexible with regards to your college schedule has its points. You have no idea what opportunities might bounce your way, what profs might really turn your head, what change of direction sparked by an internship or research position might occur....</p>
<p>As someone who himself is sometimes prone to over-planning, I suggest that you do some living in the moment and take what the experience gives you before locking your whole life in, right down to what hymns they'll sing at your funeral.</p>
