Decision Help! Smith vs. Whitman

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hello there! I am currently a freshman and applied and got accepted as a transfer student for next year at both Smith and Whitman. They are both very different and offer me very things and I would love some objective advice to help!</p>

<p>For some background I want to major in history (I'm particular interested in Fashion History Early American history, British History, and East Asian history). I am also very interested in art and would like to pursue that. I am very nerdy, but also very outgoing. After college I would really love to try for a Fulbright Scholarship. In terms of career I'm still pretty undecided, but looking at game design, museum educator, teacher, or librarian. </p>

<p>Here are the Pros and Cons from my point of view </p>

<p>Smith
Pros: - very strong programs in my main interest (history)
- Really interesting internship opportunities
- Opportunity for an Archive or Museum Concentration
- I have always wanted to attend an all women's college and I really believe that women's college offer amazing education and opportunities.
- The housing system looks really awesome
- Beautiful campus
- I'm from the west coast so I'd really like to attend college on the East coast
- Northampton looks like an amazing town
- Opportunities for undergrad research
- A lot of the student organizations look really interesting
- Very generous financial aid package (I could most likely graduate with no debt) </p>

<p>Cons: - I've heard its very competitive
- When I've connected the admissions people some have been very nice however some where a little less friendly
- scared its going to be snobby
- I'm nervous that its going to be overly political (I grew up with very politically active and opinionated family and friends and I am much more chill when it comes to that kind of thing.)
- I'm not used to Northeastern weather</p>

<p>Whitman
Pros: - everyone I've talked at Whitman has been very friendly and helpful
- I've heard Whitman has a reputation for being friendly and nurturing
- Students seem very nice
- My family is very connected to Whitman (my grandfather grew up in Walla Walla and is an alum of the college)
- Walla Walla is very charming town
- Weather is for the most part beautiful </p>

<p>Cons: -I'm not sure if Whitman is as strong in history as Smith
- Less internship opportunities that interest me than Smith
- Less student organizations that interest me than Smith
- Walla Walla is really small and isolated
- I've heard it's very outdoorsy and I'm and definitely not outdoorsy
- Same concern about it being more too political but to a much lesser extent than Smith
- Unsure of financial aid package I do however know they don't meet full need</p>

<p>Any advice for insight would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!</p>

2

<p>I’d go with Smith especially since you aren’t sure of how much money Whitman is going to give you while Smith is going to leave you with no Debt.</p>

3

<p>Smith has very strong support for students applying for Fulbright scholarships. Over the past 7 years, Smith has received more Fulbrights than any other undergraduate institution.</p>

<p>Your pros for Smith all sound correct. Here are some comments on your Smith cons:</p>

<ul>
<li>I’ve heard its very competitive </li>
</ul>

<p>My daughter has not found that to be true. The students are friendly and work together. The professors are very accessible and helpful.</p>

<ul>
<li>When I’ve connected the admissions people some have been very nice however some where a little less friendly </li>
</ul>

<p>My daughter has found the students and professors to be very friendly.</p>

<ul>
<li>scared its going to be snobby </li>
</ul>

<p>It is definitely not snobby. There are a lot of nerdy and arty students there, so it sounds like a good match for you.</p>

<ul>
<li>I’m nervous that its going to be overly political (I grew up with very politically active and opinionated family and friends and I am much more chill when it comes to that kind of thing.)</li>
</ul>

<p>A lot of students are political but you don’t have to be.</p>

<ul>
<li>I’m not used to Northeastern weather</li>
</ul>

<p>It has wonderful 4-season weather. :-)</p>

4

<p>Whitman is a great college in a cozy friendly town, my S attends and loves the school and Walla Walla. It’s a close knit supportive community that has plenty of artsy nerds as well as outdoorsy types and I never pass up an opportunity to sing its praises, however, your pros and cons lists show a decided preference for Smith. In this case, you sound just ho-hum about Whitman but pretty exuberant Smith. Go to the place that excites you most and you can’t go wrong.</p>