<p>Well, I still haven't gotten my admissions packet yet, so maybe that will answer my questions for me... but how does housing work for first years? Do we fill out a house choice form and do a housing lottery, or are our houses chosen for us? Thanks for any help : )</p>
<p>We're waiting for the same answers. From what my D has told me, housing forms are mailed out by mid-April, and then you have a choice of area. I don't think you can pick an exact house, but I'm not sure of that. Does anyone else know that answer?</p>
<p>Lady L, you must call Smith to tell them that you haven't received the packet.</p>
<p>You will get a form asking you to choose one of the four "areas" of campus (Green Street/Center Campus, Lower Elm, Upper Elm, Quad.) About 90-95% of the time, you will be placed in the area you specify. You can ask for a house, but there is no assumption that you will get it. Then they will ask various questions about neatness, hours you like to keep, etc. and, if they put you in a double, they will try to take a look at that as well. If roommates don't work out, you can usually change after the first 3-4 weeks. You can change houses (usually at the end of terms) if the one you thought you wanted doesn't end up being the one you really want, or you apply to and get into one of the coops (Hopkins or Tenney).</p>
<p>Smith isn't a very large campus. The walk from the furthest housing unit to the furthest classroom is no more than 12-15 minutes.</p>
<p>I don't think you can pick an exact house,}}</p>
<p>If there is someone in a house you already know from h/s etc and want to live in the same house, its possible to twist Randy or his assistant's arm and get the house you want. </p>
<p>Of course, as soon as he sees I just posted that info, he'll flip and not allow anyone to chose diddly.</p>
<p>I thought this conversation was going to wait awhile, but...o.k., what area do you like best and why???? I'll start...My D is looking at lower Elm or Green St. Closer to academic buildings, bus stop, NoHo.
BTW, does Randy read these posts? Uh-Oh</p>
<p>The quad is a great option. Its not as rowdy as one might think and it separates your life from academic life. But if you want to be close to town and classes green st/elm is a good option.</p>
<p>When you read about houses on the Smith website, it appears that they all have a bit of history (fun and otherwise), and have traditions that make them different from each other. Choosing would be most difficult, I think. However, choosing an area of interest makes lots of sense. I have heard that the wildest house on the quad is tame compared to other schools (Amherst, et al). True?? I realize that architecture is different in various parts of campus as well. And, only 16 houses have dining options.( I say only 16 like that is nothing...WOW...that's spectacular; no other college I've visited even comes close). But...how important is it to you to have dining in your house, as opposed to having to go to other houses to eat?</p>
<p>I have heard that the wildest house on the quad is tame compared to other schools (Amherst, et al). True?? }}</p>
<p>More than true. By my definition of <em>wild</em> there is no such thing at any of the houses, quad included.
Even the students who drink dont drink to excess. Are there a few 1st years that might have experimented with their new found freedom and had an issue or three? Sure, but its rare. The rugby team is another issue--lol
The houses are not where the women party. Ask Sara about Amherst :)</p>
<p>Sara?????? Oh, SARA???????? Fill me in about Amherst, please. Must know before my D attends.</p>
<p>oh good, i was hoping to ask this question - but i didn't want to appear like i was stoopid/werid or anything....</p>
<p>but, is there a lot of drinking/smoking/drugs at smith? i don't drink, i don't smoke and i definately don't do drugs. i'm just worried about the whole peer pressure thing a lot of first years face during college.</p>
<p>Thats true. I dont stick around for too many Smith parties.</p>
<p>As for having a house with dining--it IS nice to have a house with all three meals, especially breakfast. But especially living in the quad, its no sweat to walk across the way to emerson or king/scales. Lunch--you'll probably be by the academic buildings, so you have a bunch of options for lunch there and dinner...it all depends on your schedule. I think the houses that have bfast/lunch/dinner have better house community, but thats just an observation. I took that into account for next year, I'll still be in the quad, but at a house with all three meals...maybe it'll help me wake up and actually eat breakfast!</p>
<p>The quad is really hardly wild. I'll just say this--if your daughter wants to have fun on occasion, is social and wants to do something other than knitting or sitting in her room alone...go for the quad. My mom was worried about it, but my dad was like...umm I want you to have a social life--being at an all womens college sets you back a bit to start with.</p>
<p>I think you have to be realistic. In all of the houses here there is typical college stuff going on: drinking...etc etc. I'll leave it up to your imagination. But for the most part heres a comparison of house on a friday night:</p>
<p>cutter/ziskind vs. morrow house</p>
<p>knitting studying
movies dance parties/silliness
studying wine/cheese
movies
girls playing poker (I lose too much cash with that one)</p>
<p>To be honest there are just more options. And it has never been too loud for me to study/write papers etc. on a fri/sat night in the quad. So if you choose not to participate, you're ok.</p>
<p>Anything else you want to know just ask...even if its about Amherst :)</p>
<p>{I think the houses that have bfast/lunch/dinner have better house community, but thats just an observation.}</p>
<p>Makes sense! But with the changes in dining options, what happens if most new Smithies opt for a house with dining in it? How could all these needs be met?</p>
<p>Ok Amherst College...Parents you won't get all the details...because well, hahaha...</p>
<p>I came into Smith without having a background of partying/drinking heavily/smoking/drugs etc etc. But I think we all have our moments of experimentation ;)</p>
<p>I have never touched drugs, but I know they are around on campus. Its certain girls who use them, and I know they don't flaunt it. So if thats your scene you make friends with those girls and do what they do...</p>
<p>But lets be honest, as parents do you think that Smith is totally free of all things bad? I hope not. Its not realistic. It just depends on the friends your daughters choose. I thankfully am lucky to have found girls who share my values but like to have fun on occasion.</p>
<p>Drinking--well again, it depends on your friends here. If you join the rugby team, you're in for it. But thats all I'm going to say about that.
Most people I know occasionally drink here, but never have I felt pressured into doing it. And only once have I been around a group that got in trouble for their drinking. Things happen here, but they do everywhere. But at Smith, incidents aren't as often as say Williams, Amherst..etc.</p>
<p>What specifics do you want to know about amherst?</p>
<p>But lets be honest, as parents do you think that Smith is totally free of all things bad? I hope not. Its not realistic. It just depends on the friends your daughters choose. I thankfully am lucky to have found girls who share my values but like to have fun on occasion.}</p>
<p>I don't think there's any luck involved, you happen to make friends with women of like beliefs...happens all the time. Good for you. I do not think that any of us who grew up in the 60's believe for one minute that Smith is free of all things bad! If it wasn't for us, you wouldn't have those bad things to experiment with. ;)</p>
<p>True. </p>
<p>As for Amherst, theres a lot about it. But what do you want to know specifically? And Amherst college and Umass?</p>
<p>I guess the question I want to ask is about the Amherst and UMass men trying to pick up the Smith and Moho women on a regular basis. I've heard terrible rumors about the rugby team...I have nothing to back up that comment BTW.</p>
<p>(sorry, side note, sara, are you attending smith or amherst??)</p>
<p>Well, any rumor you hear about rugby teams: Smith, Amherst, Umass or otherwise...It's probably true.</p>
<p>Lets see then...</p>
<p>Amherst. Unless you really know someone there, it's a bit hard. The kids that go there are stereotyped as snobs, and for the most part, if they don't know you and you are at their parties its true. But they are extremely nice and welcoming if you have a connection there. Or if you are a Smith girl who has no dignity...you'll be adored by any man afflicted with raging hormones that night.</p>
<p>But i dont suggest that. lol</p>
<p>Parties at Amherst aren't really the best way in my opinion to meet a guy. 5 college clubs, classes and sobered up activities work. But then again it depends...</p>
<p>Umass guys are another breed. Stereotyped as crazy frat guys most live up to this expectation on the weekends. Unlike Amherst, Umass kids don't really mind Smithies rolling into their parties (especially since we are much more intelligent and attractive compared to umass girls!! ok that was mean.....but.) At Umass you'll get more guys trying to pick you up than at Amherst...</p>
<p>I have heard that Amherst guys tend to like the Mohos more since Smith has more of a "lesbian, *****y" stigma attached to it. But whatever. Most of the guys I know at Amherst joke around and say that, but I think its just another five college streotype.</p>
<p>Ummmm, cant think of anything else. If theres something I missed just ask</p>
<p>gcheng, I attend Smith.</p>
<p>hahaha my post had to be censored. </p>
<p>I like breaking some rules on occasion</p>