<p>Another consideration is dinning. Many of the houses in the Quad have dinning. Those that don’t are connected via a hallway to those that do. (think being able to eat breakfast in your pj’s on a cold winter morning ;)</p>
<p>Mine (when she is there) is a Hopkinsite, and they cook for themselves. (as did Stacy!)</p>
<p>If you're a Quaker, Smith is the place. Not only because of heavy involvement in the local Friends Meeting (which is a block from Baldwin House) ,but also because of a very high number of Smith alums nationally who are "weighty Friends" (as is the Dean of Adas).</p>
<p>I suspect, given the very heavy investment in the sciences generally, and in paid research through the STRIDE positions, and the national center for genomics research, Smith will, in the future, pull well ahead of Wellesley in that regard (I think they are already well beyond Amherst.) They already are in the performing arts.</p>
<p>Other than being childhood friends with the head of Wellesley's philosophy department (and knowing good things about their language departments, as I do about Smith's), I really don't know much about the school. I do that Northampton is a target weekend destination, and that Wellesley is a place students leave to have fun.</p>
<p>I think you'll feel the differences when you visit, and you'll know.</p>
<p>"Mine (when she is there) is a Hopkinsite, and tehy cook for themselves."</p>
<p>My wife was in Tenney, the other co-op, for a couple of years and loved it. There's always a lengthy waiting list. I realize for financial reasons Smith won’t designate more houses as co-ops, but it would be nice if they did.</p>
<p>Well, this sure blossomed into more than I expected. Some of the high points and affirmations from all this discussion that we click with entirely...</p>
<p>? ?She wanted to be able to walk into a town instead of relying on public transportation and other students with cars.? - an important feature for D</p>
<p>? "Turn around! There's no way I'm going here!" based the first moments of driving onto a campus. ? had that happen with both kids; they humored us and completed the trip (S downright hated Syracuse; 15 minutes BU w/premed guidance office turned off D big time)</p>
<p>? ??most prospective students strongly prefer either Smith or Wellesley over the?? ? D?s preferences in order from our visits = S/MHC/W. Performing arts facilities at S had each of us drooling. It was at that moment I truly became envious. </p>
<p>? ?my d. said that there was no way she was going to visit Smith, and I forced her. I did <em>not</em> humor her. Within two minutes of beginning the tour, however, her eyes were shining, and she moved right up to the head of the pack to listen to the tour guide.? ? D and I sat in the car in downtown Amherst after visiting Amherst College feeling spent and wondering where the nearest ice cream store was (90+ degree day). It was a day trip and we hadn?t considered anywhere else except UMass honors college which was a no-go that day. Called wife who insisted dropping by Smith and I calmly convinced D her mom wasn?t always wrong! D complied and ended up curled up on a couch in the Smith waiting room taking a catnap. That was the beginning of a good day and a lot of fun for her and me. </p>
<p>? Smith is the least homogeneous ? this did not slip past D either</p>
<p>? Smith has the most socioeconomic diversity of the three, and I thought that was cool. ? so does D</p>
<p>? but I LOVE the religious life program at smith. It was a very unexpected bonus of going to college there. ?also had many friends who were quite involved with different strains of the christian community. ? D?s gone on far away retreats, sings in her youth group band, mentors other kids?didn?t hear much of that at the other 2</p>
<p>? My D looked at all the options for housing, and chose the quad; primarily for the social aspect of being around larger numbers of students. ? this could be my D?what?s all this socializing stuff? Now I?m really worried? (snicker)</p>
<p>? Many of the houses in the Quad have dining. Those that don?t are connected via a hallway to those that do. (think being able to eat breakfast in your pj?s on a cold winter morning)?she?d fit right in ? sweats instead of pjs, tho.</p>
<p>All this from one question; neat, eh? Thank you all. Bought a College ******* book on Smith today and am starting to consider where we'll stay during D's overnight. Autumn Inn?</p>
<p>"and that Wellesley is a place students leave to have fun."</p>
<p>When discussing the good ol' college days on a recent ski trip with friends, which included an MIT and Harvard alum, I can tell you were they leave to. What they do is another thread. :)</p>
<p>"Smith today and am starting to consider where we'll stay during D's overnight. Autumn Inn?"</p>
<p>Hotel Northampton is excellent but pricey.</p>
<p>Regarding the more students for socializing: Believe me, the 15 percent on Green St. socialize plenty. Though a cluster of D's friends at Washburn (adjacent House) are taking one of the apartments (blanking on name) where you cook your own food next year. Having spent nearly six months in D.C. and now nearly two months into Budapes, doing stuff like your own cooking is seeming more "normal" and possible for D...oh good, sez I: A) transitioning to real world is good and B) from her comments, I think I'm going to look forward to a nice demi-haut cuisine meal cooked by D some day.</p>
<p>SG, here’s another reason your daughter should chose Smith. The college used to have a sailing club that competed in NEISA regattas. It sure would be great if an enterprising young woman would form a sailing club again. Amherst doesn’t have a sailing club either. Co-ed joint effort? The possibilities. ;)</p>
<p>"are taking one of the apartments (blanking on name)" </p>
<p>Friedman.</p>
<p>Just logged off and saw a message about sailing so quickly came back. Gotta be somewhat sane when I don my work hat in a.m. so I'll be quick</p>
<p>Don't think I would advocate D joining a sailing team. Son wanted to @ BU and soon discovered the time comittment was way too intense and in conflict w/his 18-hr/semester courseload and course teams. I suspect D's science courseload will be similar. Besides, she's never raced -- you should have seen her sail that little Dyer 9 between Jamestown & Newport tho -- fearless @ 14. Nite</p>
<p>The last time I went sailing was on a date in Santa Barbara harbor. I managed to capsize once and run aground twice. I did like the way the young lady snapped me a salute as the boat heeled over and took on water. She, on the other hand, was not so quite appreciative that my first words upon surfacing were, "The wine!" Look, I could <em>see</em> that she was okay, I could <em>see</em> that mast was still stepped and I wouldn't have to dive to the bottom for it, so the next most important thing....</p>
<p>Btw, thanks Borgin...D had the proxy thing all covered. Don't mind me. But remember, sometimes paranoia is socially useful, especially when dealing with bureaucracies. See also, "What can go wrong, will go wrong." </p>
<p>Funny thing was, even when Smith had D down as withdrawn, Financial Services was still sending the billing statements like clockwork.</p>
<p>
[quote]
She wanted to be able to walk into a town instead of relying on public transportation and other students with cars.? - an important feature for D
[/quote]
Answer = Smith!
[quote]
Smith is the least homogeneous ? this did not slip past D either
[/quote]
Answer = Smith!
[quote]
Smith has the most socioeconomic diversity of the three, and I thought that was cool. ? so does D
[/quote]
Answer = Smith
[quote]
My D looked at all the options for housing, and chose the quad; primarily for the social aspect of being around larger numbers of students. ? this could be my D?what?s all this socializing stuff? Now I?m really worried? (snicker)
[/quote]
Answer = Smith; and don't worry about the partying thing, ain't no big deal here. It's where they go from here that worries me. ;)
[quote]
Many of the houses in the Quad have dining. Those that don?t are connected via a hallway to those that do. (think being able to eat breakfast in your pj?s on a cold winter morning)?she?d fit right in ? sweats instead of pjs, tho.
[/quote]
Ahhh, the added plus that my D TALKS ABOUT ALL THE TIME. Way cool! The quad is for some, and other areas of the college are right for others. You have to find your niche, which is why visiting often is essential. Because you live in MA, that should not be hard. I know, because it's a day trip for me as well. :) Seems like an easy decision so far!</p>
<p>"It's where they go from here that worries me."</p>
<p>lol--You know where. Same place my daughter goes—Amherst College. Not to worry. I have my snitches. All’s good. :)</p>
<p>It’s the infamous Hampshire Halloween party I worry about.</p>
<p>Now I have heard of the infamous Hampshire Haloween party, but can't say I know much about it?!? Perhaps that's for the better! ;)</p>
<p>I would be delighted to hear that my d. went ton one of these august events, at least once. But I am resigned to thinking it is not very likely.</p>
<p>"I would be delighted to hear that my d. went ton one of these august events,"</p>
<p>It's in Oct Mini. You need an invite. That can be arranged :)</p>
<p>Oh...that can certainly be arranged, ;)</p>
<p>I seriously doubt it. (you don't know my d.)</p>
<p>Yeah, I don't think my D has visited Hampshire yet either. Amherst, yes; she made some vehement and unflattering comments about the guys on the rugby team. She's thought well enough a couple of Hampshire students in her Math classes, though some of the comments might take one aback if one didn't know Hampshire's reputation and you didn't realizing she was saying, "no, they're not all like that."</p>