<p>I am a CC transfer student who has declared independent financial status and therefore receives no parental contribution. My Financial Aid award letters for both Amherst and Smith were finalized today, and I am quite conflicted. Smith will cost me $5,000 in loans, $2,500 out of pocket, and an additional $2,500 for books, supplies, travel, etc. Amherst generously offered me a fully inclusive scholarship with a 2,300 credit for miscellaneous expenses. </p>
<p>While I am enthralled with the idea of a women's college, how can I reject a premier LAC, ranked eighteen places higher than Smith, when they are paying my way?</p>
<p>Is the vibrancy and feminist culture at Smith worth the additional $10,000 per year? I am $10,000 in debt as is, and the thought of mountainous loans is threatening to steer me away from my "dream school."</p>
<p>Thoughts? </p>
<p>Note: I am a Sociology and Women Studies double major</p>
<p>Frankly, if I was in your position, I would choose Amherst without a second thought. Academically, it is unrivaled by all but a handful of LACs and its alumni network on top of its elite professors and caring faculty will practically ensure your success in the years to come. </p>
<p>I simply cannot imagine rejecting Amherst for Smith, especially when you have it free at Amherst. However, I am not a Women Studies major and I do not have the same connection to feminist culture that you do. Life is not always about prestige, and regardless, Smith is still a prestigious college. If you think you would be more comfortable in that environment, then choose Smith. But then again, do not doubt that you would be supported on campus at Amherst as well.</p>
<p>At the end of the day, follow your instinct. </p>
<p>(I’m incredibly jealous by the way. If I can find myself in your shoes next year as a transfer, I’ll be on cloud nine.)</p>
<p>They are in the same consortium so go to Amherst and take classes at Smith. The bus line is a bit of a PITA but for a difference of 40k and everything Amherst has to offer, I see it as a no brainer. My D is an Amherst grad, so I might be a wee bit biased. </p>
<p>Have you compared your majors at both schools, as well as the research and field work opportunities? My daughter hasn’t taken courses in either of your majors so I can’t comment on them, but Smith has significantly more faculty in both areas, as well as a major women’s history archive. If you went to Amherst, you’d be able to take courses at Smith through the consortium, though Amherst students use the consortium the least of any of the 5 colleges.</p>
<p>If you’re at Smith for 2 or 3 years, the additional cost will be $20-30K. With term and summer jobs, you can probably keep your additional debt to $5-7K per year. If you feel the environment and programs at Smith are a much better fit for you, it may well be worth it.</p>
<p>My greatest concern with Amherst is the drinking culture. I am staunchly substance free, and would prefer not to have rowdy entitled men roaming about. There are drinkers at Smith too, at anywhere, really, so perhaps I am over reacting. </p>
<p>Their sociology and women studies majors truly seem comparable, perhaps favoring Smith a tad in terms of variety if not quality. Student reviews paint professors at each to be equally involved with their students and their work. Class sizes are undoubtedly smaller for both of those majors at Amherst, however, which I love. and I don’t think it is a coincidence that few Amherst students venture beyond the campus for classes. I intend to become a professor myself, and I have an inkling that Amherst networking would better suit that aspiration than Smith. </p>
<p>I am a feminist blogger and social rights activist, which is why Smith is so attractive to me. I fear that Amherst will be rife with rich, conservatives. Can anyone comment on the climate there? </p>
<p>If I can haggle with Smith to grant me my original estimate of 5,000 a year plus books I am inclined to consider Smith more seriously. </p>
<p>Umm, yes drunk guys (and girls) at Amherst. It may seem a bit concentrated because of the size and that everbody lives on campus. That being said, there are substance free dorms where students find like minded people. I would assume that is true with all schools??? True that most Amherst students don’t use the consortium as much as the other schools utilize Amherst, I have no reason for that. You have two great options, can’t see how you would go wrong with either.</p>
<p>It’s a tricky question, not at all a slam dunk…either way. The entire culture at Smith is much more feminist. One of the “ah ha!” moments my D had was at a prospect party when a then-current Smithie said, “You know the women at Amherst have to be smart to be there. But they just let the guys dominate in the classroom. That doesn’t happen at Smith.” Watching my D as this was said, it was like looking at a cartoon character where suddenly the lightbulb goes off over its head. </p>
<p>The amount of money you’re being asked to absorb isn’t trivial but neither is it particularly onerous.</p>
<p>I suspect I’ve muddled the waters more than I’ve made them clear; sorry.</p>
<p>I read on Amherst’s website that it is not permitted to take food out of the dining hall. It sounds trivial, but being able to eat in private is incredibly important to me. Can anyone speak to how lenient this rule is? </p>
<p>Women’s colleges have less drinking and partying than the average college, and Smith is no exception in this regard. There is certainly less drinking than at Amherst. There is a side of campus known for more partying (the Quad) and a side known for less partying (Green St), so there is a spectrum. My daughter went to Smith looking for an environment where she could have fun without drinking or partying, and has not been disappointed. </p>
<p>At Smith you’re allowed to take food out of the dining rooms (just can’t take china, so you need to bring a container) and some dining rooms have grab-and-go options. There are 15 dining rooms, so even if there’s not one in your house, there will be one close by. </p>
<p>I know declining a full ride from the most prestigious Liberal Arts College in the country sounds absurd, but I had to think very critically about what was best for me not only monetarily, but emotionally. </p>
<p>I want to be happy, and Smith delivers. Amherst is fabulous, no doubt, but it is not for me. </p>
<p>Side note: Smith agreed to the original $5,000 loan plus books, meaning it will cost me a total of $12,500 plus books for my 2.5 year stay there. </p>
<p>Good for you, LL. My D transferred into Smith in January from another school in the Consortium–she’s subfree, too, and it was a horrendous atmosphere for her. She LOVES the classroom and housing environment at Smith, it’s been a great move for her. </p>
<p>She is a rising Junior and has already taken courses at three of the schools in the Consortium–in the Fall she’ll be taking her first Amherst class, and is pretty sure she’ll be among the more outspoken women in the classroom. As TheDad said, above, attending classes at Smith (especially the kind of seminars and small groups you’ll get in Soc and SWAG) will be a tremendously empowering opportunity. </p>
<p>The professors are extremely accessible and committed. The housing, as mentioned above, is terrific–the alumnae network unbeatable–and Northampton is a lot more interesting than Amherst, especially if you’re not into the rah-rah football culture. You’ve made a great choice. Enjoy!!!</p>
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