LAC Transferring advice

<p>I will likely try to transfer out of Smith as a second-semester Sophomore or a junior. I was quite content at Smith socially. I have a good group of friends -I like the progressive leanings of the students, and the fact that most are well-rounded. My frustrations with Smith were primarily academic -I was looking for more serious students and more competent/enthusiastic professors -presumably, the two will go together, although I only have limited experience with this. I would like to stick with a small school, preferably coed, in a rural area with outdoorsy activities, strong biology, anthropology, and political science. Schools I am considering (and this time, for the first, actually visiting) and their most recent admit rates for transfers are Bowdoin (15%), Davidson (15%), Wellesley (30%), Swarthmore (15%), Reed (?), Oberlin (30%). What do you guys think as to how these schools meet my expressed desires?</p>

<p>I can't help you - but I was wondering what you didn't like about Smith? I'd always heard it was very strong academically, which is onw of the main reasons it's at the yop of my hopeful transfer list.</p>

<p>It's probably fine academically for a lot of students. I went to a rigorous highschool though, and feel I could use more serious academics. You should visit and sit in on classes if you can, it's the best way to assess how the classes compare with what you're used to</p>