<p>Rising senior, female, white from a very competitive private all girl’s prep school in AZ (like 99% graduate and many are in NHS, have high grades, etc etc all that jazz). Now this is a bit complicated, so if you just even give me a hint if I have somewhat of a chance or I should do something different, please let me know. It’d be very much appreciated.</p>
<p>Unweighted GPA: 3.60
Weighted GPA: 3.84
Rank: School does not rank
SAT: Miserable, like 460 for writing miserable
ACT: 24 
Honors & AP: Freshman year took two honors classes (Eng and World History); sophomore year took only one (English); junior year took APUSH (4), AP Eng (3, meh), H Chinese III, (over this summer) H Gov/AZ History, H Economics; senior year will be taking AP Eng, H Chinese IV.
Clubs: The usual NHS, Calculus Club (don’t have to be in the class to be in it ;D), Chinese Club, Toastmasters (public speaking club), Video Game Club (maybe I shouldn’t include this…), Computer Club, art magazine club. All I’ve been/going to be an officer in.</p>
<p>Now I know I’m getting As in two classes this summer so my GPA will go up, but not until end of first semester so I won’t know my exact GPA when I’ll apply, but it will be higher. My grades were very strong freshman year, but they dipped in sophomore year after I sprained my back end of freshman year (I didn’t know how to deal with back problems & fibromyalgia symptoms). This past year (junior year), I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia–which the symptoms and back problems were a bit worse this past year but I took more time off when I needed it, so my grades sort of went up first semester and then plateaued second semester. I missed A LOT of school but still was able to keep a 3.5+ GPA which I think is not that bad for someone in my situation. This upcoming year I have a feeling my grades will still be strong and will be better now that I know how to deal with fibro and am receiving treatment. How should I bring this up to admissions? In an essay? In an interview? It’ll look really odd unless I explain it and it really does play a large part in my academic life.</p>
<p>My ACT and SAT scores are easily explained. My back was in severe spasms both times (I took them around the same time) due to stress, being sick, not being able to move as much as I need, etc. etc. Now if you don’t know what that means it means that it’s hard to sit, stand, do anything because your back prevents you from doing anything other than lying down and sleeping. I can’t take pain pills because they make me extremely drowsy but without taking something I can’t focus because of the pain. Such a pain in the ass catch 22. I’ve tried talking to my doctors about something but they all have side effects that would still be detrimental to me testing well. Smith is an SAT/ACT optional school, but would high test scores make my app look better? I’m really debating the worth of taking them again (as my safety will take whoever and the other school I’m looking at is also SAT/ACT optional). Should I take them again even though the change in scores won’t be drastic? Should I just ignore my scores and not send them in at all? I feel so stupid because now I have terrible problems with most standardized tests because I physically can’t sit through them the whole time (but when I do practice tests at home, with breaks, a more comfortable chair, naturally) I do immensely better (200 point difference). :/</p>
<p>This year I’m taking Physics (my math + science GPA isn’t high enough to take H Physics), French III (I’m not sure if I’ll switch to H French III yet but might make me drop another class), H Chinese IV (no AP Chinese), College Algebra/Trig (should I switch to H Precal?), AP Eng and an art class (should I try to switch out for something else, like history? [have already had enough history credits btw]). And then I have mandatory theology classes. Should I switch up for the higher level classes for a B+ in honors instead of a regular A?</p>
<p>I’m interested in anthropology and studying languages, so I think graduating with 7 years of language is impressive as it’s the maximum amount anyone has ever graduated with from my school with.</p>
<p>Please respond! Should I even bother? If I have a chance, when do I apply? Regular, ED? I’m not great at chancing back, but if you need help with something else, let me know! Thanks so much! :D</p>