<p>^ “A kid with multiple piercings that likes to hang out in her art studio”. </p>
<p>I don’t know where this impression got started that Smithies seek unconventional success and Wellesley girls have conventional career paths. And frankly, I find that a little pejorative. </p>
<p>But getting back to the main point, I think your D should follow her instincts, but as an alum of Smith I think she would do really well there and not have a problem finding her tribe, and also expanding her tribe. I strongly believe that Smith is a great environment for people looking to mix with a wide variety of groups, whatever their background. And it’s a great place to expand horizons, where people who call themselves “mainstream” have best friends who wear capes, or who play sports, or do drama, or sit in their art studio with their piercings. It’s a well mixed environment, and doesn’t seem to engender cliqueiness in my experience. But my experience may not be totally universal, and again, she should go with her personal preferences. She could like Wellesley more for this, a perfectly valid reason, or for a whole host of other great reasons.</p>