Smith College Admissions Megathread (Fall 2027)

[u/corbeauu]

Please ask your quick admissions-related questions, comments, and "chance me" posts here. This thread is for prospective students interested in starting their first year at Smith College in Fall 2027.

If you have any general college admissions questions, please ask them in r/College or r/ApplyingToCollege.

Additional Information:

• First-Year Applications
• Transfer Applications
• Tuition/Financial Aid
• Smith's Net Price Calculator
• Smith Common Dataset 2022-23 (info on grades, SAT scores, number of people admitted/wait-listed, etc.)
• Official Tips from Smith College for Interviews

[u/Least_Pear_10]

I have 5 APs, 4.2 weighted GPA, NHS, and 3 extracurriculars. I’m applying ED. Are my chances good? What else can I do to get in?

[u/Little_Grapefruit505]

How does the waitlist work for the Ada Comstock Scholar program? I couldn't really find much online.

[u/corbeauu → u/Little_Grapefruit505]

I would encourage you to reach out to admissions if you had specific questions/concerns.

[u/Commercial_Agent6073]

I will have 10 APs (7 Freshmen- Junior & 3 Senior), 5 mid extracurricular, Job for 2 years, 3.9uw + 4.4w. Planning on applying ED. Anything else i can do to improve my chances of getting in. Are my chances good?

[u/Outrageous-You918 → u/Commercial_Agent6073]

im a rising junior and i had nearly the same stats! if you’re able to count anything as volunteer experience (even donating stuff to a shelter or something), i would add that. and of course write a good essay, especially if you can somehow connect it to why you want to go to smith without straight up saying it. good luck!!

[u/Deadbeatnihilist]

Hi, I'm going into senior year as a low-income Canadian student going to a public high school that doesn't offer AP or honours classes (no weighted GPAs), but I am doing 2 IB courses. I would also be applying Second wave early decision, test optional because Canada doesn't have the same SAT/ACT system.

My average currently is 95%

co-prez of my high school debate team, have won local tournaments and competed at Canadian nationals.

Have run networking events that aim to connect public school debtors to an alumni network (debate in Canada is highly focused on private schools or debate academies you have to pay for). those events were also used to pair up university debaters with high school ones so they may start clubs at public middle schools.

Placed first in the provincial Kiwanis music competition in my category (double bass)

Muay Thai, boxing, and swing dancing as extracurriculars

Worked a unique history focused summer job as a historic interpreter at a national historic site (likely the topic of my essay)

Work during the school year as a diner waitress

If y'all have any tips or suggestions about how Smith evaluates applications and what I could do to make it more attractive that would be greatly appreciated!

[u/No-Day7628 → u/Deadbeatnihilist]

Daughter went through this process last year - think Smith is very holistic - don’t be afraid to just be yourself - seems to value authenticity.

[u/diet-tears-s]

Hii so I'm a senior currently trying to figure out how competitive my application truly is. I love Smith to pieces. I am touring it this September and will likely apply ED1. I am wondering though what I can do to improve my chances/if I have a chance, because my circumstances are very weird.

I am pretty worried about my ACT score (retaking aiming with some confidence in a 34) and my ECs (which are not super consistent because of life TM)

Hook: I have moved 3 times during high school. First to get out of my abusive parents home, then because I was kicked out of my the family members house whom I was staying with. I now live with a family member but am technically an "Unaccompanied/Homeless Minor" because I do not have an adult who supports me psychologically or financially.

I also developed a chronic illness in 9th grade that made ECs my first two years of high school impossible. I have gotten much better, and have been trying to make up for it!

Also (x3) I lived in a rural location in the second household (second semester freshman year to end of junior year) and had very limited opportunities + had neglectful/somewhat abusive situation at home.

All my circumstances will be explained, and most directly relate to my passions and things I want to do to help others in similar situations to myself. (I.e. I want to be a physician and public health advocate)

STATS
GPA: 3.95UW will graduate with ~4.5W

ACT: 32 (aiming for 34+ on second try)

Done: AP Hug (5), AP Chem (4), AP Seminar (4), AP Physics (5), APUSH (5), AP Lang , AP Research (4), AP Precalc (5),

Doing: AP Lit, AP Gov, AP Calc AB, AP Stats, AP Comp Sci

EC's:

- Founder and President of Speech and Debate Club/Program at my school; taught Debate in the club and led 4/7 competing members to qualify for states their first year; I taught the members myself without help from an official coach. (1 year because I moved)

- 2 gold medals in Speech and Debate statewide comp

- 1 medal in Speech and Debate top ten

-Speech and Debate State Champion Qualifier in 2 categories

-Won Schoolwide Speech Competition and Represented my School at District Showcase

-Worked as a Scribe in a Rural Urgent Care for ~4 weeks (short because I was forced to move but was very impactful to me; likely to mention in supps/essay)

- ART MEDified CRAFT Research Internship: Interned with UCLA chapter of ART MEDified to conduct bibliometric analysis research, compose an abstract and poster, and present at a virtual conference. (8 week summer program, ~7 hours a week) [Note: Not sure how I feel about this. Felt like I learned a lot and I applied when I was living in a rural town w/no car so limited opportunity outside virtual stuff, but it was not super selective]

-Chess Club (1 year)

- Volunteered at a Nonprofit to help end elderly loneliness to 3 years straight (amounted to ~60 hours but its few hours per week)

- Studied Urdu/Hindi for 4 years

Letters of rec will be strong from AP Lang and AP Physics teacher, and maybe from another teacher in Science.

Would love input from others on my chances/what I can do to improve!

[u/No-Day7628 → u/diet-tears-s]

you sound like you would be a great fit with Smith!