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I have a 1360 on my SAT I's (710 Verbal, 650 Math), 29 on ACT's, 740 Writing SAT II, 650 Math SAT II (am taking French in the fall). My GPA is a 3.7.
This year's schedule is:
AP French
AP Biology
Statistics
English
Literature and History

My school does not offer APs English or History.

For extracurriculars, I am president of the peer counseling group at my school and am also very involved with that outside of school. I am editor in chief of the yearbook this year and am a member of the french club and am a french tutor.

I loved Smith so much when I visited and would love to go there but I want to know what my chances are.
Thanks!

By Sally R. on Sunday, September 15, 2002 - 09:36 am: Edit

Unless there's something you're not admitting here (e.g., you're writing from a federal penitentiary ), Smith will be delighted (and lucky) to get you.

Don't worry if your school doesn't offer such typical APs as English and history. You will be evaluated only in light of what's available to you. The "School Profile" that your guidance counselor will (or at least should) enclose with your transcript will tell admission officials specifically what your school offers. It might be worth your while to ask the guidance department for a copy, and make sure it's clear. If not, feel free to attach a note to your application explaining what classes were available--or not available--to you. (Nothing fancy required--a Post-It note would do the trick.)

I read admission folders at Smith for 15 years, and--from what you're saying here--you sound like a sure thing. Of course, the admission process is a complex one, requiring far more information than this (the dreaded essay, for instance!). If you have any questions about other credentials or problems, please post again. Good luck! Smith has a lot to offer, and Northampton is a great place to spend four years.

By Sally R. on Sunday, September 15, 2002 - 09:40 am: Edit

p.s. When you fill out your application, don't use a lower-case "f" in "French." (That's one of my pet peeves, and I've seen a lot of it in my day!)

By In STL on Sunday, September 15, 2002 - 12:34 pm: Edit

Eeek, sorry about the French!

I forgot to add that my GPA is out of 4.3. I go to a very intense private college-prep school. I can get excellent Recommendations and I've written my essay and I think it turned out well.
Thanks again!

By Sally R. on Sunday, September 15, 2002 - 09:21 pm: Edit

The French goof isn't so serious. I wish I had a dollar for every applicant who's written "recieved" instead of "received." That really bugs me, along with all the times I've seen "definately," instead of "definitely." That one definately curdles my coffee.

Of course, while a spelling error or two never kept a tip-top candidate out of a first-choice college, some admission officials are more apt to be sticklers for spelling than others. It doesn't hurt to create the best possible impression and to try to assure that all of your evaluators are rooting for you 100 percent.

Again, good luck with Smith. Please let us know how you make out.

By Geronimo on Monday, September 16, 2002 - 01:40 pm: Edit

My pet peeve is hearing about people's saftey schools.