All Girls School

<p>At first I entirely dismissed Smith because its an all girls school, but it has such a good reputation. What is the vibe on campus?</p>

<p>I was a skeptic about women's colleges who came to scoff and stayed to pray. As the parent of an extremely recent grad, I'd happily send my D to Smith again and I think she's sad that her time there is over. I think the environment there brought out the absolute best for her but it's probably not for everyone.</p>

<p>Very few slackers on campus. Arguing is an intramural sport. Intellectual discussions over lunch or dinner are commonplace. A place filled with a lot of bright, interesting young women.</p>

<p>Intellectualism is key obviously but just like any other school you can your "type," if that makes any sense. I found a great group of girlfriends when I got there. There are the quiet, superstudious types and then there are the types who enjoy a good party.</p>

<p>One warning: PC is important here (sometimes it can be a bit much for me) so the phrase "girls' school" is not going to go well with Smithies.</p>

<p>If you are looking for a college with intellectual stimulation, amazing and intelligent women, and good food...</p>

<p>You will probably like SMITH!!!</p>

<p>SWS, the excessive PC is one of <em>my</em> few complaints about Smith. However, the syndrome is far from limited to Smith and I would not let it factor in determining where to attend college.</p>

<p>I think the PC factor is overhyped personally. The point is that it is a women's college, and that's just being accurate. </p>

<p>That being said, can you give us a better idea of what you mean by vibe on campus?</p>

<p>Agree w/ TD - - the PC excess is common on most LAC campuses in the n'east (Wesleyan, Vassar, Swarthmore, etc.).</p>

<p>I actually don't mind the PC that much because I transferred from a school that is the complete opposite of Smith. The other school had a LOT of apathetic students so it is refreshing to see students who care.</p>

<p>I agree with SWS. I think one person's excessive pc is another person's intellectual laziness.</p>

<p>I know this sounds ignorant, but I heard that it makes you kinda anti-men, no shaved armpits, hair middle-parted, horse riding, kind of stereotype. Plus what about the guys?</p>

<p>Well, I am straight as an arrow and shave. My hair is its own story though and I like to horseback riding. Really, every college has its stereotypes but whatever you hear of Smith, there is always going to be the complete opposite. It all depends on what you make of it, who you associate with, and what you do when you are unsatisfied with the situation (i.e. complain vs. going out and doing something). Trust me, there are going to be the stereotypical Smith women and there are going to be the ones that go against the grain. Also- have you seen the "I'm a Bad Smithie" group on Facebook? It makes me laugh!</p>

<p>You see guys here. They're good people. They come to Smith. Obviously there aren't going to be as many men here (this is a women's college) BUT there are some who come a) to take an awesome class or b) to meet women. Also, you can cross-register at Amherst, Hampshire, and UMass and find plenty o' misters. You just need to make a bit more effort than you normally would at a co-ed institution.</p>

<p>Well, that's just silly. Like you say, it's a stereotype, and one that's usually passed around by people with no actual experience at a women's college. </p>

<p>I shave, I'm certainly not anti-men, I'm allergic to horses, and I part my hair on the right. </p>

<p>What SWS says pretty much sums up the truth about men and Smith. If you want to date, there are opportunities, but it takes a little more effort than at a co-ed school obviously. But you're very close to other colleges, it's easy to get about and go to parties, join co-ed activities, and so on, if you want to make the effort. And guys do come to Smith for parties, for classes, etc. </p>

<p>Basically, Smith is a college, not a convent. We're not isolated from men, but our lives are a little more compartamentalized. I like the sisterhood aspect of going to Smith, the feeling that you're a part of something bigger and that your fellow students support and stand in solidarity with you. And I like that when I want romance, I can have it, but when I want time to study, I can have that too.</p>

<p>I visited Smith and I love it. It is one of my top choices.</p>

<p>I found the campus very quiet, is that because of the rigouous academics or the general personality type of the student body to be very quiet?</p>

<p>I liked the quiet atmosphere because like SmithieandProud stated "...I like that when I want romance, I can have it, but when I want time to study, I can have that too." Honestly I have to agree that this is the best scenario for someone, who wants a successful college career.</p>

<p>Also I have read some where that Smith does not have "roommates" but "suitemates." I need a clarification because I thought that First-years were assigned to doubles.</p>

<p>Thank-you in advance! : )</p>

<p>Smith does indeed have doubles, i.e., roommates. There are some "singles" in a two-room "suite." E.g., one door opens off the hallway, letting you into a little alcove where there are two doors, each leading to a single room.</p>

<p>^^That's only part of it. There are also the more traditional suites where you have a shared sitting room and bathroom and then off of the living room are two rooms (usually, this type of suite consists of a single and a double, but there is one double/double).</p>

<p>composer, when did you visit? Smith isn't that quiet. I lived by the Campus Center and it was incredibly loud during lunchtime in warm weather. :)</p>

<p>Composer -- Not all first-years are assigned to doubles, and upperclassmen almost never are unless they want to be. </p>

<p>Basically, we don't have enough double rooms to give every first-year a roommate, so depending on where you live you might be housed in a single, you might be in a double, or as smithiegr mentioned you might be in a suite. </p>

<p>The campus is quiet compared to say UMASS, though not neccessarily a quiet place all the time. Depending on when you visited, people might have been gone or studying or something. As borgin said, it gets pretty loud during meal times, warm weather, and primal scream :-)</p>

<p>Most first years are in doubles but not all, it depends upon the the house you get assigned to. If you look at the housing part of the Smith website it does have information on the number of singles, doubles and triples in each house. (yes, there are a few, but very few triples) The website will also tell you when a house was last renovated. Each house does have its own feel but that also changes over time with the makeup of the students living there.</p>