I know people are finalizing college lists and working on application essays right now so feel free to ask me anything about Smith! Others are obviously free to chime in as well.
How did you decide which house/area to request? Are you happy with your house? Thanks!
@smcirish process of elimination, mostly. I did some research as well on this tumblr page (http://smithwithsophia.â– â– â– â– â– â– â– â– â– â– /tagged/Meet-the-Houses) and on another tumblr page with reviews of the houses (http://smithcollegehouses.â– â– â– â– â– â– â– â– â– â– /page/2) and on College Confidential.
I’m not a huge partier so the quad was out. The quad is also quite far from everything, so in winter time that will not be a fun walk). Also, the houses tend to be HUGE in the quad, and I wasn’t looking for something too big. But if you want a single as a first year, the quad is your best bet. The quad green is also gorgeous (although the whole campus is really pretty).
Although I want to do stuff with my house sometimes, I also want to have alone time and time to spend on clubs and socializing with friends outside of my house. So Elm St, which is known for having pretty tight house communities, was not at the top of my list. Also, see below about stereotypes.
Green St was attractive mostly due to its location - it’s close to the library, to most academic buildings, to the gym, and to the performing arts department. Downsides: some Green St houses supposedly have looser house communities. Also, see below about stereotypes.
Center Campus seemed like a good balance of everything (not too far from everything, some house community but not so tight that you’d feel bad if you didn’t spend time with your housemates). I also looked at photos online of house communities and diversity seemed to be good there (see below).
Other factors:
- the first thing people here ask you after your name is what house you’re in. I’m pretty sure a lot of people, myself included, tend to judge people a bit based on what region of campus they live in. I didn’t really want to be typecast before I even set foot on campus or before anyone really got to know me. And while quad people tend to be seen as big partiers, green streeters tend to be seen as quiet nerds, and elm streeters tend to be seen as hipsters, it’s a bit more difficult to think of a stereotype for center campus people. That lack of a stereotype was attractive to me.
- I also believe in the value of diversity and of spending time with people with different interests/backgrounds as me to broaden my horizons, so I really wanted to interact a nice mix of people. In my Center Campus house for example, we have nerds, hipsters, athletes, student government types, artists, activists, socialites, and more, as well as so many people who dabble in multiple fields (I know quite a few artsy or hipster-y science majors), which I think is really cool. I’m sure there is diversity in other regions too, but that was one thing that really struck me while looking at the Center Campus house community photos.
That said, I chose pretty much based on stereotypes, and I haven’t spent enough time in the houses of each region to really determine for sure how much truth there is to the stereotypes. I would say that Center Campus houses do have a lot of diversity in terms of types of people (and also racial diversity!) and most of the bigger campus parties do tend to happen in the quad (mostly on weekends though). Also while most people here are smart, a disproportionate number of quiet nerds seem to be in Green St.
I’m happy with my house so far. It’s a little old but my room is huge and the house living spaces are large as well. House community has been about right in intensity and I like having a medium-sized house - just enough people that you’re not all up in each others’ business all the time and you can often run into people you know.
@skycry This was so helpful! I visited campus this summer with my daughter (she’s a senior now) and she LOVED it! She interviewed and felt really good about how it all went, but we will see what happens in March! She was leaning toward liking Center Campus, so I’m glad to hear about your positive experience! Thank you, thank you!
@skycry Did you have an interview? On or off campus?
Is most of your off-campus time spent in Northampton? What about town of Amherst?
@smcirish glad to be of some use. good luck to your daughter; perhaps i’ll see her on campus next fall!
@PetulaClark I had an off-campus interview. I lived too far away from Smith to be able to go there for an interview.
I’m a first year so I haven’t been off-campus that much, but so far I’ve been to Northampton, Hadley, Easthampton, and Amherst (amount of time spent in location in that order). Outside of partying, Five College classes, and seeing friends from other Five College schools, there’s not that much reason to go to the town of Amherst - you can find pretty much everything you need in Northampton and Hadley.
@skycry I have a couple 
- How is financial aid for low-income students? I live in a single parent household and my mom makes approx. $44,000 a year.
- Are there lots of opportunities for research for science majors? If so are they competitive to get?
- How easy is it to double major?
- How easy is it to switch majors?
- How would you describe the student body? Eclectic? Preppy? Quirky? Ultra liberal/conservative?
- What has been your worst experience at Smith?
- What has been your best experience at Smith?
- How would introverted, shy, timid, socially awkward kid fit in here?
Thank you for your time! Sorry for the laundry list haha.
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@skycry have you had any interactions with Ada students? I’m applying as an Ada for Fall 2017, and I’d like to know what their role is on campus. Are they able to take part in campus life?
Smith and like universities often boast about their small class sizes and accessible profs. Does this hold true?
@zofro99 no worries, I’m here to help as best as I can!
- I'm not sure, sorry. I know some people who have full and near full rides in need-based aid but not sure exactly how much their parent(s) make. I'm sure you know about the NPC? Perhaps someone else can help with this.
- Yes. STRIDE/Zollman and AEMES are excellent opportunities if one is offered to you. Otherwise, in most of the science departments, after you take a research methods class you are eligible to help faculty do research. Just get to know a professor who is doing work in the field you're interested in - office hrs, take a class with them, etc before you ask to help with their research. Go to the presentation of the majors because all of the faculty in the department will introduce themselves and say what subfield they're doing research in, so you can make a list of the professors who you're interested in talking to. But if you want to do research over the summer in a popular field, ask EARLY because spots fill up.
- Overall very doable. At Smith the only requirements are to take a writing intensive class your first year and to complete at least one major, so that leaves you with a lot of free class space. How easy it is obviously depends a bit on how different your majors are (for example, sociology and the study of women and gender is easy because there's a decent amount of overlap; English and computer science is a tighter squeeze and you will have limited space for electives).
- For most majors, fairly easy. I know someone who, having previously taken only 1 or 2 English classes, decided to be an English major at the beginning of her junior year and still graduated on time. Well, all except for Engineering, which is notoriously rigid in terms of major requirements (as engineering is at pretty much every college I think).
- Overwhelmingly kind and friendly. Very varied in interests, pretty racially diverse. Perhaps it's just where I live but I've met a lot of people who have their hands in seemingly disparate fields. The vast majority of students here are liberal, some of them very liberal. You will find very few Trump supporters here and conservatives tend to stay quiet on their political views.
- A racially insensitive professor who made the room full of POC feel pretty uncomfortable. He seems to be an exception though - MOST Smith students and professors are pretty good about these things.
- Only one? That's hard haha. Probably how much support there is here and how nice people are. Lots of non-class affiliated workshops on everything from navigating Smith as a first-generation student to public speaking to how to use Excel for careers in finance to how to stop overthinking and so much more. Alums are very loyal to Smith and other Smithies, which helps in getting career and life advice and finding internship/job opportunities. Even if you don't think you need the support, knowing that you have people who have your back and will help you is quite empowering and encourages you to take the risks you want to take.
- Pretty well I would say. If you're introverted, shy, timid, socially awkward I would just avoid requesting Elm Street or the Quad for your housing area. And join a few active clubs or do a club sport - those are easier and less pressure-filled ways to get to know people over time.
@mjstewart1224 I have had some interactions with Adas. I’ve seen them at campus-wide special events like guest speakers and barbecues, at professor and TA office hours, as officers and members of clubs, and just around campus. I am a traditional student but from what I’ve seen Adas can be quite involved in campus life!
From what I’ve experienced, seen, and heard so far the vast majority of Smith’s professors are definitely very accessible and kind. Class sizes are also good - my largest class, Intro to Psych, has about 120 students for the weekly lecture, but for the other 2 classes we split into these smaller discussion sections that are much, much smaller - like 15-20 per section. My smallest class has 14 people.
Aging Smithie here. Just wanted to say what a great job you’re doing skycry fielding all these questions! I would just add to #5 that Smith kind of spoils you in that regard – you get so used to everyone being kind and friendly (and smart and interesting). Smithies rock!
Can you please chance me for Smith?
I am in the top 5% of my class (38/762)
I have 3.88UW and 4.13W
I have taken 2 APs/2 Dual Enrollment Classes from 9-11th grade
I have taken 5 Honors Classes
SAT: 1270 (650 Math 620 Reading) w/o essay (I visited Smith College and the Dean told me that scores are the last thing they look at and that they don’t really do anything for your application.) I had my interview there.
I was the president of Knitting Club in 10th grade. I have been the president of Ethiopian/Eritrean Club for since junior year. I have had a job from the beginning of my 10th grade year. I just recently quit because it took up too much of my time. I am a member of the National English Honor Society and HOSA.
I am applying for Early Decision II.
@rw14745 Sorry for the late-ish reply. I kind of swore off chancing due to some stuff that happened on my first CC account, but I’ve given people feedback on their profiles and would be happy to do the same for you.
GPA and course rigor look good. ECs are fine (great by normal standards, but Smithies tend to be a hyperinvolved bunch!). SAT is slightly low for Smith’s averages. I know the dean told you that scores don’t really do anything for your application, but if you submit them I’m pretty sure they will factor into your decision. Many liberal arts colleges put LESS weight on scores, and Smith may look at your scores last, but I’m pretty sure they count at least somewhat if you submit them. I think I got a merit scholarship from Smith in large part because of my high SAT. Of course, there are many factors that go into the decision to award a student a merit scholarship, but I think my SAT helped a lot. ED will obviously increase your chances.
On a somewhat unrelated note, you’ll find lots of knitting enthusiasts here 
Thank you so much for your feedback! I like college confidential because people give me unbiased opinions. It’s so hard to ask people I know because they all give me what I want to hear. And when I went to visit Smith, I mentioned I liked knitting and they all talked about this girl that knitted like all the time. Even my interviewer mentioned her. That’s how you know it’s a small school :’). But yes I hope apply ED helps! I met the admissions officer a few times and she said she’s excited to read my app. Hopefully that helps my chances. I love Smith. I have 28 days until my deadline. Wish me luck!
What is class color for Smith College class of 2021. My daughter was just accepted, and I would love to help her celebrate with decoration of her future class color. The Facebook logo had some purple center surrounded by orange. Wondering whether purple is the color, even though it has not been used in the recent years.
I found this document noting both class of 2019 and 2020 were Green. Could this be right? http://alumnae.smith.edu/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/class_colors.pdf
Thanks in advance for clarifying!
Thank you. I suppose the PDF was correct up until the repeat of Green for two classes in a row, and should have just continued with Blue for 2020, and now Yellow for 2021. :)>-
are the people at smith generally “quirky?” like, are things like dyed hair and watching anime and such prevalent?
@mermaidenly Hard to generalize, but there are definitely many people with dyed hair and anime watchers here! There are also many people who aren’t into those things. Depends on who you hang out with.
Bumping this for the new admits (congrats!) and juniors.