<p>I'm going to Smith's Preview Day on November 12. Have you gone to past preview days? The schedule on Smith's website says that they are going to be having a faculty and student panel. Does anyone know what types of things will be discussed in those panels?</p>
<p>I also have an interview on Saturday which I'm nervous about. Any advice? </p>
<p>I really love Smith but I'm not their typical first-year student and I'm worried that...well, that they won't like me! I actually applied to Smith in my senior year (2005) but they wait-listed me before not accepting me and I ended up not enrolling in any other colleges. I'm applying Early Decision, as well.</p>
<p>I used to give tours at preview day, so I've been to quite a few. The panels deal with the usual questions: for the students there will be lots about why they chose a women's college and how they like the all-female environment, for the profs, probably more about the quality of classes and the opportunities offered by various majors. </p>
<p>For your interview, just be relaxed and be yourself, the admissions people are extremely nice and they like the interview to be more like a conversation than an interview. They're not going to grill with you with questions, but they'll ask why you're interested in Smith, what makes you think you're a good candidate, and I'm sure in your case they'll ask about what you've been doing for the past year and why you chose to wait it out. The interview is probably a good time for you to highlight how you feel that there's no place that can serve you as well as Smith, and why you feel that way. </p>
<p>Also, it's good if you can come up with a couple of questions to ask the admissions officer at the end of the interview, when they ask you if you have any questions.</p>
<p>From what I've heard from multiple sources, S&P is quite correct...the interviews are very non-threatening and upbeat. </p>
<p>Don't worry about not being a "typical" first-year student...I think Smith has a much lower percentage of "typical," whatever that is, than most colleges.</p>
<p>I'm leaving Northampton tomorrow and I have to say, if I could move in right now, I would! I'm so happy I was able to make that 10 hour drive because while I knew I loved everything on paper, seeing it all makes it even more cemented for me.</p>
<p>The interview went pretty well, I think. I was just fine but then when I actually sat down in the admissions rep office, I got SO nervous. But once we started talking, I was okay. Usually I interview fairly well, especially because I do prepare and make sure that I have some standard ideas for questions (the "Name three words to describe yourself" type) but I guess because I really, really love this school, I panicked a little!</p>
<p>I also got to go to the Autumn Serenade on Saturday. The choir was great. I liked the "pro-Smith" songs they sang at the end -- it was really cute. I really loved Groove. They sang a Regina Spektor song (among others) and I thought the lead singer did a really good job with it. I also got to see the Smiffenpoofs at the end of Preview Day. I now totally believe it when people say, "A capella groups are to Smith what football is to most other schools." </p>
<p>I really love the community at Smith. Everyone does seem really connected and supportive. Of course, I'm sure it isn't ALL flowers and cotton candy, but I have to say that I've visited a lot of schools and I've never seen one where so many students seemed to genuinely enjoy being there.</p>
<p>Now to work on the 'getting accepted' part...</p>
<p>No, it's not all flowers and cotton candy...it's stress with side helpings of pizza, too. But I'm glad you enjoyed your visit.</p>
<p>Speaking for me, and I think probably for D as well, the more of Smith I saw the more I liked it. By the third visit, <em>I</em> wanted to move in. :)</p>