[I will be posting this to a number of schools so my apologies to those who see it multiple times]
The question “do you need a car” doesn’t address the whole situation. When I went to Syracuse University I certainly didn’t need a car but it did make it a lot easier to go grocery shopping or visit friends’ apartments when we were upper classmen. Going home for the weekend was a much easier 3 hour drive than a train ride of 4 hours plus whatever time it took dad to get me. (30 minutes?). I don’t remember how I even got to the SYR train station. Most of my friends were really happy that I had a car and was quick to lend.
What about here? Is transit and Uber sufficient?
First years are not allowed to have cars.
I believe many upperclass students do have cars, but parking can be challenging in Northampton. It may be nice to have a car to get around the area more quickly or to drive home if you live a few hours away. However, the free bus system for the 5 Colleges often proves to be all that students need at Smith. Plus you can walk into town because it is right there, and biking is very popular on campus (except, of course, when there is snow on the ground!).
My kid walks to town and takes the Smith bus or the Valley transporter to the airport. There is a convenience store where she can pick up some staples if she feels like baking.
To be completely honest though I have to add that she is from a very small town. Northampton seems so big to her and the “drivers are crazy and the streets are narrow.”
@“Snowball City” - We live in a small town and D dreams of big city. It will probably knock Smith & Co off the list but she needs some choices besides Fordham and BU. (Boston and Philly almost count as big cities)