Did anyone else not get a note from the president on the acceptance, or not receive a Smith t-shirt in the mail? My husband said that at Accepted Student Day many other parents were talking about these small touches, neither of which our DD received.
It doesn’t really matter. Maybe tons of kids don’t get those things and he just heard from the few who did. And a yes is a yes, so we’re not quibbling. But do you think this would indicate that DD would end up being lower on the totem pole for things like housing or class selection? Or are we reading too much into some small niceties?
Smith sends early writes to a small number of students who are then in the running for Zollman and STRIDE merit scholarships. The t-shirt and note to parents are a part of that process. In the end, about 50-60 first year students out of a class of just over 600 who enroll receive these scholarships which include a 2 year research stipend. However, these students do not get any preference for housing or class selection.
Some colleges do have students they select for an Honors College program who then get a special dorm, priority class registration, etc., but Smith does not do that. Your daughter will be treated the same as all other first years at Smith. From what I understand, it’s also fairly easy to get started on research with professors even without the STRIDE. Congrats on her acceptance!
I agree with above. My daughter is attending this Fall. She fits the Smith academic profile but not high enough to earn a merit offer. So, no t-shirt or personal note. I wouldn’t worry too much about it. By the way, @salmoncakes, I see from your other posts that your daughter is interested in creative writing. We are from California as well. My D1 interests as creative writing and English. I understand Smith is increasing the creative writing options for students. My D choose Smith because when she was on campus, she knew it was the right place for her. Has your daughter made a choice?
Thanks for the posts. That’s the perspective I needed.
@Bearhouse, my daughter and husband both mentioned the increase in creative writing at Smith after visiting last week. She and I went to Oberlin this week, and met with a professor in the creative writing department. I think that is swaying her toward Oberlin right now. She likes the town of Northampton and the houses at Smith better, but thinks Oberlin may be a better academic fit. Is your daughter excited about Smith?
@salmoncakes She just put a sticker on her car today. She won’t need the car in Northampton but she is very excited. For my D1, the open curriculum, house structure, Northampton and being at a women’s college were all strong sells for her. Your D has some great choices. Either way, she can’t go wrong!
@Bearhouse, sounds like our girls would be friends if they ended up meeting at Smith.