<p>My daughter was accepted to Smith, Mt. Holyoke and Wellesley. In trying to make a decision was wondering if any current student or recent alum can speak to whether someone might feel marginalized as a straight girl. My family have gay families we are friends with and my d is a big gay rights advocate. However, she herself is straight and was concerned that there is an over arching concern, if not agenda, that focuses on gay rights and might leave her feeling marginalized. Her school is a mini united nations and she is the president of her school's Unity club, so clearly issues of diversity matter to her. However, balance is what the concern is. I've posted on the Wellesley also thread that what she is looking for is an emotionally safe and nurturing environment for herself (and others). At Wellesley the concern is competetive intensity and at Smith it is sexual orientation and feeling marginalized. She has visited each of these schools, but not stayed overnight.</p>
<p>hi rapamom, my D is straight, as are the majority of Smithies. Many have boyfriends. D and her friends, of which she has many, are a beautiful mixture of all shapes and sizes, and sexual orientations! I don’t think there is any hardcore agenda or marginalization one way or the other; there may be more vocal groups concerning some issues (and that’s typical of most college campuses) and you get a definite vibe walking around the campus sometimes, but I don’t think sexuality defines Smith. Maybe a student can offer a different perspective, but that’s what I get from my daughter. </p>
<p>What prompted me to reply to you is your statement that your daughter is looking for an “emotionally safe and nurturing environment for herself and others,” and this is exactly why my D loves Smith. The house system is a gem and really lends itself to that kind of support and inclusiveness.</p>
<p>rapamom – ^^ I fully agree with Rocky22, my daughter is straight and loves Smith. Hey, it’s an open and supportive environment. The academics, house system, food, profs are superb. D was accepted to Wellesley and Mount Holyoke as well-- chose Smith and hasn’t looked back. She’s thriving!</p>
<p>Visit during the April Open Campus event --last year it confirmed our eventual choice of Smith. On the second day, D marched over to the Admissions Office and put down her confirmation to attend deposit.</p>
<p>Good luck with the decision!</p>
<p>.02</p>
<p>David</p>
<p>I am a current Smith student and the “emotionally safe and nurturing environment” you mention is one of the main reasons I picked Smith! Everyone is welcomed and accepted at Smith so your daughter shouldn’t worry! If this is one of her main concerns about college I think she would fit in very well at Smith! As a previous poster said, most Smithies are straight. Because of the safe environment, students feel comfortable being themselves regardless of sexuality. I had a very similar decision to make last year between Smith, Bryn Mawr, and Wellesley. I chose Smith because to me it was the most friendly, welcoming, diverse, and safe environment of any of the schools I visited. I highly recommend doing an overnight this spring. I revisited both Smith and Bryn Mawr, which really confirmed that Smith was the best match for me. I hope to see your daughter on campus in the fall! Congratulations on the great choices and I’m sure she will be happy wherever she ends up!</p>
<p>Your daughter should not worry about being straight and attending any of the schools you mentioned. Years ago (10 - 15 years ago) a survey was done and the percentage of LGTB students at Mount Holyoke was less than that at Yale. I was a student at Mount Holyoke so long ago that my experience is probably not relevant but I enjoyed the opportunity of dating men at all the schools up and down the east coast. I had more fun and social life at Mount Holyoke than I have enjoyed since then. There is no more positive, nurturing environment than at Mount Holyoke – both as a student and as an alumna</p>
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<p>My friend Mini has made a similar claim. 
Except he compares Smith to Yale.</p>
<p>To my knowledge, MHC has never conducted a sexual preference survey. Perhaps you’re thinking of the sexual orientation survey that was done by an upper-level Government class at Smith.
In any case, I know with certainty that Yale has never sponsored or conducted a scientific survey.
Needless to say, comparing the percentage of LGBT students who attend Yale vs. [name any college] is conjecture. Besides, who cares?</p>
<p>as long as she’s comfortable with her sexuality, it won’t be a problem i assure you!</p>
<p>Thank you rocket and my d is awaiting a financial aid decision because she decided that Smith is where she wants to be</p>
<p>Any “marginalization” she may or may not feel at Smith would only be an inkling of what members of the LGTBQIA community experience in the rest of the world. I think she’ll be just fine.</p>