Not loving Mount Holyoke, will Smith be any better?

College Search & Selection
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<p>Senior year of high school I applied to Smith College early decision. I knew that absolutely thats where I wanted to go, I loved the town, the campus, and the "no core" thing they had going on. When I got rejected, I was pretty upset, but chose to apply to and later attend Mount Holyoke because I heard they were basically the same thing. </p>

<p>Now, Ive only been here for a month, and I know I should give it more time, but I really don't like it here. The social scene is like, nonexistent. I don't even think I've seen all the people who live on my floor yet. I feel like many people here are very into science and math, and thats definitely not my thing. There's nothing to do in town and I am so bored and I feel completely isolated. The lack of a variety of opinion in classroom discussion bores me, I wish there were at least a few brave conservatives to keep things interesting. I also feel as if I am walking on eggshells every time I speak, as to not offend anyone. </p>

<p>I have heard that Smith is more social than Mount Holyoke, but I am concerned that being in such a liberal bubble will not prepare me for real life. I just don't know what I want out of college any more. </p>

<p>Will I be happier at Smith?</p>

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<p>It’s hard to say. My daughter and most of her friends love Smith. She does know a few Smithies who didn’t fit in well at their house in their first year, or didn’t get along with their roommate, and ended up switching to a different house for their sophomore year. It’s entirely possible the same thing could have happened to you at Smith. </p>

<p>Smith has a higher first-year retention rate than MHC, 94% vs 89% according to their Common Data Sets, but that still means 6% of Smith students leave after their first year. </p>

<p>There are definitely a lot of STEM students at Smith, possibly even a higher proportion than at MHC, since Smith also has an engineering program. So don’t think that Smith is more humanities oriented; however, it does have a great humanities program, and my daughter’s friends from range from engineering and science majors to film studies and studio art majors.</p>

<p>Smith is a social and friendly place. Since the houses are smaller than dorms at most other schools, the students in a house tend to get to know each other fairly well. There is a tea (an informal social gathering, not a fancy thing) each week, typically at 4:00 on Fridays where the students of a house get together for snacks and conversation. My daughter is fairly quiet and shy, but has made and continues to make friends in classes, activities, sports, etc., in addition to friends from her house.</p>

<p>Smith has a reputation for being a liberal place, but there are a variety of students there. My daughter knows some who are more conservative, some who are religious (including some planning to become ministers), etc.</p>

<p>I don’t think that there are many Smithies who are bored, but that’s generally because they are involved in research, sports, volunteer activities, art, clubs, various recreational activities, etc. (and often too many than is wise). Have you tried doing these things at HMC? If not, it’s worth a try before giving up on MHC. Or just give it more time. </p>

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<p>Have you taken any courses in the Five College Consortium? You could sign up for a course at Smith next semester and see if it’s a place you might prefer. Also, you have access to Hampshire and Amherst and UMass for courses. Try that before you give up. Also, if you really don’t know what you want out of college, maybe you could benefit from some counseling. Good luck.</p>

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<p>Hey there,</p>

<p>I’m a first year at Moho too. I am from a very big city type area so I did feel a little isolated at first. Try to figure out what you wanted to change about your social life. For example, I joined cultural clubs and student committees and I feel much better now! :slight_smile: The social scene isn’t typical at Moho, but that is the same for many of the seven sisters. If you are taking about parties plenty of my friends have found boyfriends/girlfriends at Amherst/Umass/Smith (not Hampshire for some reason). I’m not a party person so I can’t comment on the quality of parties. Also, Smith isn’t THAT much different as I have some friends that go there. One thing my Smith friend mentioned to me is that she envies the diversity of students Moho has and she wishes Smith has it because Smith does have a few issues with cultural diversity. Regarding the isolated campus there are plenty of trips to NYC, Boston, and the free buses to the other colleges. I’m not the most social type of person, but I have gone off campus with friends every weekend so far.Things will hopefully get better and maybe you can talk to a counselor or pm me if you want to talk! Good Luck! :slight_smile: </p>

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<p>There are. Well, in the past there were. <a href=“https://www.mtholyoke.edu/org/republicans/index.html”>https://www.mtholyoke.edu/org/republicans/index.html&lt;/a&gt;
I knew a number of Smith and MHC women who were members of their respective Republican Club. Most were, to varying degrees, socially liberal and respected individuals regardless of their beliefs or sexual orientation. The Republican Club focused their efforts on conservative economic issues. E.g., Students for Saving Social Security and Americans for Tax Reform. If I remember correctly, there were Smith and MHC students who were offered internships at S4 and ATR. I imagine interning for Grover Norquist would be if nothing else…interesting. :)</p>

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<p>Fitz, this what i’d suggest:

  1. focus on your grades. If you choose to transfer, your GPA is critical. Whenever you get down think-GPA GPA GPA and run through the reading/study-guide/notes one more time. Distract yourself with good study habits.<br>
  2. Look at the 5-college schedule and a take class at Smith next term. Try to find one in the afternoon which will allow Smith dinning privileges at lunch or dinner. While on campus, attend some smith functions and study at the smith library.<br>
  3. About the “liberal bubble”…Just a guess, but I suppose Smith is in same bubble as MHC. From what I hear–more so.<br>
  4. Reading between the lines, I suspect you are feeling a bit “out of place”. So did my D her first year–she found the social life “way weird” to say the least. (“like mom you have NO IDEA”) This coming from girl who attended a very progressive alternitive high school.
    After taking a class at Amherst and diving deeper into her major (class work), switching advisors she started to adjust. Towards the end of her first year she became friends with a nice group of “normal” girls. (2 of the six transferred). They go off campus from time to time, travel to other 5-college events, and do alot of studying.
    On the positive side, I’ve noticed my, uber fun loving, pretty, so-cal beach girl, transform into a critically thinking, world conscience, well spoken young woman. </p>
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<p>Just out of curiousitymomneeds2no, where did those girls transfer?</p>