fuwaclick

I am an American citizen attending a highly competitive international school in Switzerland. I'm applying ED to Smith but I have no idea what my chances are of getting in.
The subjective part of my application is good, but I am not sure if my grades are good enough. I'm doing the full IB Diploma (VERY rigorous program) with a 5.5 average (out of 7) and a 2000 SAT.

Extracurriculars:
Peer Counselor/middle school homeroom leader (2 years)
Newspaper: writer and head illustrator (3 years)
Analytical drawing workshop with professor at Paris College of Art
Major role in student-led play "The Dining Room"
Supporting/speaking role in "Fiddler on the Roof"
Studied Japanese outside of school with an independent tutor (1 year)
Lead percussionist in Concert Band (2 years)
Drum lessons (2 years)
Volunteered at a local cat shelter to help socialize kittens for adoption (1 year)

I am also submitting the art supplement as I'm considering a studio art major (painting), my artwork can be seen here

My Common App essay is about feminism and my struggles with reconciling my feminine gender presentation with my ideas of power and masculinity, several people have read it and said it's great.

So - do I have a chance at getting into Smith, or any other competitive women's colleges (esp. Bryn Mawr and Mount Holyoke) despite my average grades? Thank you! x

Mariecc1

Your extracurriculars and SAT score look pretty good, so I wouldn't worry about those. Do you plan on taking the SAT IIs?

I'm not sure what a 5.5/7 GPA indicates, so I can't really make a judgment call there. It sounds like your schooling situation is unique, however, so that'll probably help you.

Based on what I've seen, it looks like you have a good shot! Just make sure you get letters of recommendation from teachers who know you well. Good luck!

smithgirl313

I currently attend Smith College. Let me just say your SAT score is very good however; Smith really doesn’t care much about your SATs in fact you can apply without submitting them. The thing that confuses me is how to compare a 5.5 on a 7-point scale to a 4.0 scale. Am I correct in saying that a 5.5 is the equivalent of a 3.3/B+? If so it might be a little harder for you to get in but not impossible. What I think it will come down for you is your college essay. Good luck hope that helps

fuwaclick

Update: I was accepted! Thanks so much for your help!

Mariecc1

Congratulations!!