What are the odds

feelingisfirst · 11-05-2009, 08:10 PM

of my admission? I realize no one here is an Admissions Officer and can't really accurately chance, so I'm hoping for perhaps a breakdown of what you think about my app.

I'm currently digging everything about Smith: it's culture, it's academics, it's opportunities, etc. etc. I hope to pursue a degree in English Language & Literature, and my app is mainly centered around my passion for the subject. Smith is definitely one of my top choices, but I need to compare FinAid packages so I'm applying RD.

White/Filipino from an Asian HS in the West Coast (I'm considered a minority)
Top 20 in nation HS very competitive you know the deal
GPA: 3.64
SAT I: 800 CR/640 M/800 WR
SAT II: 780 Lit and 770 US History

AP Human Geography: 5
Language: 5
US History: 5
European History: in progress
Spanish Language : in progress
Have taken hardest English/History classes at school and mid level math/science courses. There are ten AP classes offered at my school.

ECs:
Founder of a literary based talk show and website (I'd expand but alas I don't want to make my identity too obvious. But it was one of the most amazing things I've ever done; provided quite the rush with 3,000+ people listening)
Attended Creative Writing camp on scholarship this summer
Varsity Basketball 4 yrs (captain 2yrs)
Varsity Softball 3 yrs (captain 1 yr)
Volunteer at horse stables with disabled children (150ish hrs)
Volunteer through HS Club (100ish hours)
MUN (2 yrs)

Awards and the like:
State Art Scholar in Creative Writing
Governor's Medallion in Creative Writing
Won a short essay contest for my region that was published
AP Scholar

So that's me in a nutshell. My letters of rec will probably be quite complimentary and while I'm still working out my essays I'm expecting them to work out, especially since I'm falling in love with Smith.

Any kind of feedback whatsoever would be fabulous. Thank you in advance for those who take the time to read and respond!

d'smom · 11-05-2009, 08:13 PM

Very Good! Good luck to you. You have a very well rounded profile. Keep up the great work!

CarolynB · 11-05-2009, 08:38 PM

I'm not an admissions officer, but you look just fine to me--strong academics, strong SATs/SAT IIs/APs, and strong ECs. It sounds like you're on a roll! Good luck!

feelingisfirst · 11-05-2009, 09:19 PM

Thanks for the quick responses! I've been looking at chance threads for a couple of years now, and it's a tad disconcerting to see my own being judged upon. But it's also kind of exciting to know that I've come this far and that it is finally my turn to try my hand at college admissions. Thanks again, and I would appreciate anyone else who decides to weigh in.

SmithieandProud · 11-05-2009, 11:15 PM

You have a very good chance. Just keep your grades up.

feelingisfirst · 11-06-2009, 12:55 AM

I will. Can anyone give me any insight into whether Smith will offer me merit aid?

TheDad · 11-06-2009, 02:15 AM

Any idea what your rough class rank is? And fwiw, I don't believe be considered an Under Represented Minority at Smith: strictly African American, Latina, Native American. Asian of all nationalities not.

For merit aid, and I'm just guessing, you're on the bubble. Which is why I'm asking about class rank, competitive high school notwithstanding. If your GPA was 3.84 or your Math SAT was 700, I'd be more optimistic but still you have a lot going for you.

MeredithBelle · 11-09-2009, 10:47 PM

It's not like any of us have a say in Smith's decision or whatever, but I'll give you that you're well-rounded if it makes you feel any better.

MeredithBelle · 11-09-2009, 10:50 PM

Oh and you have to be STELLAR to get merit aid aka top 10% of applicants I believe for the STRIDE program with is I think half tuition. I wouldn't rely on merit aid & would apply for need-based fin aid which is what constitutes almost all of the aid Smith gives. But if you apply to Smith you're automatically eligiable to be considered for merit-based aid.

feelingisfirst · 11-10-2009, 11:06 PM

Thanks everyone. It's actually really nice that MeredithBelle mentioned that I am well-rounded - I was worried that my app would seem too one-sided toward English.

I was never really holding my breath for merit aid, but I HOPE I can get enough need-based to attend Smith. From what I've been told some LACs give more aid to those applicants they want to especially want to attract, while in others the FinAid/admissions offices are completely separate. But what with Smith's STRIDE and Zollman scholarships, Smith seems to fall into the latter category. Any insights?

SmithieandProud · 11-10-2009, 11:39 PM

Well, with Smith the merit aid process is always a little murky, and I while financial aid and admissions are totally separate offices (even on completely different sides of campus), when it comes to merit aid it is usually used to help attract especially qualified applicants.

There are very, very, very few merit scholarships to begin with. If you consider a typical class of 600-700 students, fewer than 30 will be STRIDEs and only two or three will qualify for the Dunn or Zollman scholarship.

And though you are very meritorious, I honestly don't think a 3.64, even at a top high school, is going to put you in the running for STRIDE, I'm sorry. You have a strong transcript, great SAT scores, good extra-curriculars, you're well-rounded, but you have to think that for merit aid you will be competing against people who are all that, plus they are 4.0 students. And even most of THEM won't get merit aid.

I could of course, be wrong, no one here is a financial aid officer and even they couldn't tell you for sure if you would get one (depends on the rest of the class profile) so don't despair, but just be realistic. Don't ever count on merit aid with schools like Smith, and if money is a big factor, make sure you're looking for schools you will like at a wide variety of price points.

TheDad · 11-10-2009, 11:45 PM

S&P, to clarify: if her 3.64 is at someplace like Boston Latin, that might do the trick. In general, I think you're right, anything much less than a 3.8 to 3.9 unweighted isn't going to stir much interest per se.

FiF, you might think of it this way: merit aid is Smith's attempt to bribe students they think might have "better" options elsewhere.
Zollman's in particular are designed to be Ivy-killers.

feelingisfirst · 11-12-2009, 09:04 PM

Many thanks for taking the time to respond to my questions. Like I said, I'm not holding my breath for merit aid from Smith. I know how strong the applicant pool is. Ah well, I suppose the best I can do at this point is hope for the best in terms of need-based aid. Thanks again!

bronxbombers1927 · 11-12-2009, 09:16 PM

what website???????

juniormints · 11-14-2009, 01:08 PM

I actually don't think your focus should be on being "well rounded."
It's boring and common. Rather, make your writing ability a focus- it could be your the determining factor. Keep in mind, too, Smith is a liberal arts college; you being gifted in the humanities is a positive, not something to distract from. Of course, you should highlight that you are captain of the basketball team, but, writing, not sports, should be your focul point.
With a perfect score on the critical reading and writing section, several creative writing awards, 5s on your AP exams, and a writing program, you have more than enough to make your talent your "hook."