<p>I am having some trouble convincing my parents to let me apply to Smith College. They feel that it is not well known enough(i am an international student), and the idea of a women college just seems wrong to them. To me, Smith is the college of my dream From my communications with admission officers and the smith website, I felt that it is a really special place for ambitious young ladies.However, my parents do not feel that way. Do any of you have any tips on how I can convince my parents to let me apply to Smith? I really hope to apply ED to Smith.</p>
<p>Well, you could tell them of all the famous women who have graduated from Smith. Or alternatively, ask them to name even two famous women graduates in the past 35 years from any of the schools they want you to apply to. (in most cases, that will be rather sobering.)</p>
<p>The reality is that once you get past Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, Stanford, and, probably above all (at least in Asia) Cal-Berkeley, hardly anyone abroad knows about any of them, and, in the U.S., state schools get more recognition that all of the liberal arts colleges and lesser Ivies combined.</p>
<p>Thanks for that idea mini. I will try that this weekend when I see my parents:)I personally do not care much about the 'prestige' factor, but I guess my parents just want what they feel is 'best' for me. Do you know of any internationals at Smith who went on to do really well? </p>
<p>To TheDad: I don't mind waiting for your reply. Thanks for being so helpful.</p>
<p>Whatever you do, don't bring up the lesbian factor- always a concern for American parents :P</p>
<p>While the idea of all-women's colleges can be a bit startling for international parents but when comparing the quality of life to other US colleges.... women's colleges are above and beyond. Explain to them the dining, the nice single you'll get, the houses where you (hopefully) will find a tight community... basically just like being at home- only you're away at school. Focus on that- that really worked for my parents. Even my dad was impressed.</p>
<p>As per to academics, create a list of well-known women that your country knows about (Hilary Clinton, Betty Frieidian, Julia Child, Syliva Path, etc) and show that to your parents also. Don't mention Sandra Day O'Conner or Madeline Albright- both went to Stanford. Also see if you can sell that student-faculty ratio and class size too- I hear that some of the countries' schools are SO huge that you can barely see the professor at the microphone. </p>
<p>Madeleine Albright is Wellesley Class of '59. ;)</p>
<p>Don't know if these will help you: Ng'end Mwangi, first African woman physician in Kenya, and started first mobile clinic in Africa; Elizabeth Eveillard, Senior Managing Parter, Bear Stearns; Sumiko Enbutsu, UNICEF Ambassador; Halina Poswiatowska (probably only help if you are Polish, but then a big deal - the "Sylvia Plath" of Poland.)</p>
<p>On the international front, there's also Madame Chiang Kai-Shek.</p>
<p>One thing to remember is that, even if the international prestige of the institution isn't on the same level as Harvard or Yale, the alumnae networks for the Seven Sisters are phenomenal. You would be hard-pressed to go somewhere in the world and not be able to find a helpful alum.</p>
<p>So... if there's a Smith network in Malaysia... perhaps you can ask the admissions for some contacts for an alum "interview" so your parents can be wow-ed :)</p>
<p>Hilary Clinton went to Wellesley, didn't she?</p>
<p>Anyway, there is so much to say on this subject, I don't even know where to begin. Smith is not for everyone, but if you want an all-women's college experience with great academics, great profs, great housing, etc, then Smith is for you. I think some of the easier answers will be about those particular things, because all that data can be found on the website. The name Smith speaks for itself, as it is the largest all-women's college in the U.S., and has been in existence since 1871. The campus is gorgeous and is nestled into one of the prettiest, funkiest college towns found anywhere on earth; Northampton. It is an extremely safe environment, as that is always important for parents.<br>
Do you have any chance of visiting with your parents at all? That would be the best sell! Have your parents call the admissions office and speak to someone there about the college who can answer their questions. Why aren't your parents happy with this choice?</p>
<p>Haha..Thanks people! You all have been really helpful. I can just feel your love for Smith just from your post. Think the alum network in Malaysia is pretty small. I tried e-mailing the Malaysian alum listed on the Smith website but have not gotten a response..maybe she is busy. </p>
<p>Oh..one of their major concern is the alcohol and drug consumption in school. Though i am pretty principled and will never succumb to peer pressure, they are still concern about the level of alcohol and drug usage..how is it at Smith?</p>
<p>BJM8: Think my parents are unhappy because I am not choosing a 'top' school in their opinions. I have showed them the Smith website, viewbook, my correspondences with the admission office.....they say that Smith is just good at packaging themselves to look nice. My mum went further to say that Smith is just a scam, a school that doesnt exist..lol..my mum is really quite paranoid and imaginative..</p>
<p>Blur...Do your parents understand that Smith is one of the best liberal arts colleges in the country? Do they know the history?</p>
<p>Also, as far as alcohol consumption and partying; Smith is not that kind of school. Yes, there are drinkers, smokers, parties...but far, far fewer than compared to other colleges and universities. "Wild" parties at Smith are "tame" parties at other schools...it's that simple. Mini, I'm sure, could give you much more data on that subject than I could.</p>
<p>BJM8: I told them everything that I could. Maybe I will have a nice chat with them again this weekend, and print out some 'proof' of Smith greatness..lol..</p>
<p>No no no people. I mentioned those women because the blur's parents had concerned about her going to all-women's schools so I just threw out names that I could think of who went to all-women's schools to help her convince her parents that they don't produce MRS degrees but real degrees with real skills.</p>
<p>Oh, Smith is reaaalllyyyy tame when it comes to drinking and partying (even lame when you have sketchy men from UMASS) but drugs/smoking seems to be quite prevelant since the area's pretty "hippie."</p>
<p>"Oh..one of their major concern is the alcohol and drug consumption in school. Though i am pretty principled and will never succumb to peer pressure, they are still concern about the level of alcohol and drug usage..how is it at Smith?</p>
<p>I can only give you statitistical base, not firsthand experience. Among schools that are not "dry", the women's colleges have pretty much the lowest alcohol and drug use rates in the country. Binge drinking rates are roughly 20% give or take (contrasting with about double that at Harvard and Yale, and a little higher than that at Princeton, and even higher at Williams), and heavy (near daily) drinking is even lower. Drug use is at the lower ends of the range (they are, generally speaking, higher on the west coast.)</p>
<p>I disagree with ticklemepink, there is definitley not much of a drug culture on campus. Sure, there are a few kids who smoke, and there is some drinking, but honestly it is a very sober campus. You don't need to party or drink to have fun here, and you won't be pressured to either.</p>
<p>After spending two hours listing down all the wonderful things about Smith, my mother gave up trying to convince me to look at the more 'prestigious' schools..so she ended up saying that it is my own life and I should just decide for myself what is best for me..Guess that is the greenlight for me to apply. I will try to convince her to like Smith IF i get accepted, so now I shall hope for the best and work hard on my application.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for the tips and suggestions:) I really hope that in a few months time, I can call myself a smithie.</p>