<p>You know, it's strange, when I contrast these responses with my own to Open Campus. I guess it really is true that one school can't be for everyone. I really did like Smith--in almost every way it was perfect. But, in the end, I didn't seem to be able to connect with it. I don't know, as I said to some fo the extremely friendly and intelligent students who stopped to talk to me, maybe I'm just being too idealistic. I did have a great time. Who knows, maybe I'll see your daughters next fall! I just have the Wellesley and MHC open campuses left to make my final decision.</p>
<p>I just wanted to say how confused I became in reading this thread. I had to go back and read the org. question twice. I wondered did the poster ask about lesbianism at all? No, it seems the question was regarding advantages/disadvantages. So what I am inferring from the responses is the majority of you think that the presence of lesbians is a disadvantage. I am hoping that is not what is meant.</p>
<p>"I just have the Wellesley and MHC open campuses left to make my final decision."</p>
<p>Choose the one where you feel most comfortable, and you'll do well. It's great to have choices!</p>
<p>Got back from Smith yesterday with the whole family in tow; grandparents, cousins, etc. What a ball we had! Grandparents are in awe of the campus, and our D who will be attending in the fall already visited once this week. For the first time yesterday, we saw the quad and had a couple of great Smithies show our D around the area. She fell in love with the quad, specifically Emerson house. Great traditions, friendly young women, and a better fit for her than the other houses (Elm or Green St.) To each her own, I guess, but she just felt at home there. The thing that really caught our attention yeterday was how friendly the staff and students were to us as visitors. We were toured around the performing arts center by a prof who didn't mind one bit showing a new Smithie's grandparents the area and ballet studios. Quite a nice gesture! Also, when we walked into the greenhouse area, we were welcomed by the staff and they walked us around as well. Mother-in-law loved that one as she is really into flowers and plants. Overall, just a great day with lunch at Sylvester's (thanks TD). </p>
<p>Anyone still contemplating between Smith and other schools need to really take the friendliness of the campus and the surrounding area seriously. We have visited many other schools before choosing Smith, and Smith is by far the best in terms od housing, advising, sciences, NoHo, and the overall feel of the student body.</p>
<p>but I felt this way too, when I decided to ED to Smith over Wellesley and Bryn Mawr. All of them are excellent colleges that are academically very challenging, but I fell in love with Smith’s heritage. And its queer reputation - exaggerated or not. It excites me to imagine a place where being queer almost fades into the background of normalcy.</p>
<p>Smith is also a great place for a counter-culture hetero woman, as the piercings, tats/ink and asymetrical hair also fade into the background of normalcy.</p>