Mount Holyoke vs. Smith (academics, social scene)

College Search & Selection
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<p>I visited both Mount Holyoke and Smith, and liked both for very different reasons. I am an academic individual and I have excelled in high school. That being said, I sometimes feel that I am inadequate. I worry that I won't be able to succeed in college because I often spend long periods of time completing my work (I'm a bit of a perfectionist). My stats are around the 75th percentile for Smith and MHC. I have a 4.00 and many activities, so I think I am potentially a competitive applicant at both schools. I really liked the academic side of Smith, but I worry that I might not be able to handle the workload. The students I met frequently talked about writing extremely long papers on a weekly basis and intense amounts of reading. Smith students seemed a bit more interested in discussing ideas than MHC students, but I found the professors at MHC to be a bit more accessible and I actually preferred the lectures at MHC. That being said, the students in the MHC classes didn't seem very engaged or analytical (in comparison to Smith). Based on my impression of the student body at MHC, I feel like it would be easier to get individualized attention from professors (especially if you're really interested in your studies). Due to the competitive (or seemingly competitive) nature of Smith, I worry that unless you're the cream of the crop, you'll kind of fall by the wayside in terms of research opportunities. </p>

<p>In terms of the social environment of the schools, I found MHC a bit more inviting socially, but it felt a tad bit like high school or summer camp. Juice boxes and cookies were provided during study hours in the dorms, students all hung out together and chatted about gossip and videos, and the dorms were very posh and well equipped. MHC felt safe, but a bit too staid and globally unaware. I'm very liberal and active politically, and MHC came across as a bit more of a moderate place. I consider myself a feminist, but I'm not super radical -- and radical feminism seems to be predominant at Smith. Students at Smith were very interested in talking about their plans after graduation, articles they had read, and were amazingly engaged. The one thing that bothered me about Smith was how often students talked about being stressed and their grades. I often did the same in high school, and I'm really not looking forward to a continuation of that mentality. I don't want my GPA to dominate my experience, and if that is one of the primary focuses at Smith, I am worried about feeling unable to escape the pressure. I don't want to talk about grades constantly -- I need space from academics at times. Also, many of the girls at Smith came across as entitled and overly confident, which was a bit of a put off (I don't want to constantly have to prove myself and compete with my peers.) They also seemed to think that MHC was not even worth talking about -- that it was very beneath them and inferior academically.</p>

<p>Also, Smith's campus beat MHC's campus hands down, in my opinion. It was much more cheerful, and Northampton is a jewel of a town. I found the exteriors of MHC's buildings very depressing and dark. The campus felt gloomy and isolated. </p>

<p>Anyhow, I am wondering if my observations ring true for any current students. I think that Smith is the stronger school academically, and I worry that MHC won't provide as many opportunities. Which school is more likely to challenge or inspire one? Is the social scene at Smith accessible to someone who is introverted and a bit geeky? Do students work harder at Smith than at MHC? Do students at both schools have time to go into town and unwind (that is, do they spend every waking hour studying)? Which school would you pick and why? Thanks! </p>

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<p>Wow. As my MHC daughter would say, “Smart girl problems”. Apply to both. Either will provide a world class education that very very very few women are fortunate enough to experice. Once accepted, do an overnight. Go with your gut. At that point, you’ll have no one left to impress (or please) other than yourself. Best of Luck. </p>

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<p>You know, I really think this is a situation where your gut feeling and “fit” are most important. My daughter applied to MHC, Smith, and Wellesley, but MHC was her top pick BY FAR. She just felt like she’d “found her people” there. I was quite surprised to hear you say that the students in the classes you sat in on were less engaged… I wonder if it was just those particular classes. My D has had the exact opposite experience: she is always talking about how wonderfully passionate people are and how even a conversation about something mundane or inane will turn into an intellectual conversation -philosphical or scientific or something- more often than not. She was really turned off by the non-intellectual, unengaged students she found at some other small LACs we visited, and chose MHC specifically for that reason… so obviously impressions can be different. She is also absolutely in love with the campus, so again- personal opinion. If Smith’s campus is the one that does it for you, then that is terrific!</p>

<p>As far as there being more opportunities at Smith, I do not think that’s accurate. For one thing, MHC shares a career portal thing (can’t remember what its called… where firms look for graduates?) with Smith AND Amherst College. For another, as you seem to have noticed, MHC profs are very accessible and very invested in their students. My daughter already had an unofficial mentor after her first 2 days of school (this is copied from another thread so forgive me if you already read it!): She had been reading about the professors and was really excited about one particular Bio professor who seemed to have a very similar passion for bio -from a naturalist/evolutionary/field observation viewpoint- as herself (not that the bio department in general is like that - it is also very strong for pre-med). She hoped to one day be able to take a class with him. She was thrilled when she got into his Bio 101 class. Then she found out he was also her freshman academic advisor. The first day of class, they hung out for a while after class discussing the evolution of Trilliums and her passion and theories about specific insects. They have already been talking about internships in her field. He gave her the keys to the locked biology lab rooms where the upperclassmen do their entomology research. She spends a lot of her free time in there, looking at slides of insects prepared by students in the 1800’s. She has a whole research area of her own in there now, just a few weeks into freshman year, and frequently meets outside of class with the professor. Looking back on my own college experience, this just seems so wonderful and lucky. She has immediately connected with a professor who shares her passion, is more than willing to spend time with her, and is already helping her pursue her career path. WOW.</p>

<p>My daughter DOES spend a LOT of time on homework. At this point, it is mostly reading and 3-4 page papers. But lots of them. But I think you are going to find that is the case at any high-quality school. The key may be to get some help managing your work, perfectionism, etc. I know that MHC has resources for that sort of thing (help managing workload stress) and I would imagine Smith does as well…</p>

<p>My D and her friends do find plenty of time to socialize and relax. They go into Northampton and Amherst and sometimes to the Holyoke Mall. They go to parties at Amherst and UMass, and are planning to go to Hampshire Halloween. My D’s friends sometimes go to study in the Amherst library (I think partially to meet boys!) My D is definitely a geeky introvert, too, and she needs a lot of time to herself to “recharge”, so she does not go out as much as some of the girls in her group of close friends do, but the opportunities are there. I’m sure it also depends on the friends you find. But the MHC social scene seems very friendly and welcoming.</p>

<p>You mentioned M&Cs in a somewhat derogatory way (summer camp?) but to me that tradition illustrates a well-balanced approach. Rather than non-stop studying all night, students are encouraged to take a break and connect with friends for a bit before going back to homework. To me, that seems a health approach :)</p>

<p>I agree with momneeds2no: apply to both. If accepted at both, go spend another overnight at each again and sit in on classes again. Also, the FA they offer you may help you make the decision! Good luck- I am sure you will do well and love either one. They are both absolutely wonderful schools!</p>

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<p>One thing i’d like to add. You, as HS senior, will grow during college app and choice process. You will learn more about your self. No need to make choice now. Focus on your apps and enjoying your senior year. Save the stressing over a “choice” until April. Best of luck. </p>

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<p>You can’t go wrong with either school. My D is a first year at MHC and couldn’t be more happy. She applied to both Smith and MHC but now cannot see herself anywhere but at MHC. The course work is challenging
and she spends a lot of time reading and writing papers, but still find time to go to Amherst College, Northampton, and hang out with friends. In just a few short weeks she has made friends with young women from all over the US and the World and developed a wonderful support group. Her professors have been helpful, easy to talk to and motivating. I do think, as others have said, that you must do an overnight, that is when you will get better handle on which college maybe the best fit for you. Either way you can’t go wrong, both are great schools!</p>

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http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/womens-colleges/1758764-wellesley-vs-mount-holyoke-vs-smith.html I would love it if someone would answer some of my questions!