<p>I'm an applicant to the Ada Comstock Program at Smith for this fall (should have my decision next week).</p>
<p>I have heard there is a lot of resentment towards Adas on campus (on DailyJolt and articles in the Sophian). I was wondering if anyone here had any insight on this (from your D's experience or your own). </p>
<p>I have been accepted to nine schools total - including the equivalent programs at Mount Holyoke, Simmons, and Converse - but Smith is my first choice. I am just nervous that going to Smith may be negative for me because of some student's perceptions of the program. I am a younger Ada (25) and plan to live in regular housing.</p>
<p>Our D has Adas in some of her classes, and some friends who are Adas. She has not mentioned any issues, but she might not notice and she has always had friends of all different ages.</p>
<p>Adas don't really bother me.. although I do know one whom I can't stand. But that's just one out hundreds of Adas at Smith.</p>
<p>A lot of times, if you're a baby Ada, you'll blend in right away. Last semester, we had an Ada in our class. No one knew until I asked her what year she was and she fumbled with the question because Adas don't go by "years" but rather "credits." LOL then the girl next to her asked her how old she was and she said, "22". Everyone gasped because none of us suspected it!</p>
<p>I really do benefit from the older Adas because they're really motivated and seem so put together in classes.</p>
<p>I think students feel a bit resented towards the Adas because at times, there's pressure to be more driven and to do better than the Adas who just have their act together and are really driven to do well.</p>
<p>That's funny, tmp... I thought one had to be at least 24 years of age to apply as an Ada. That gives me hope, though, because I was under the impression that I, at 26, was a bit too young to apply as an Ada (even though the cut-off age, according to the website, is 24).</p>
<p>What do you think about Northampton, tmp? I visited in September last year and loved the city.</p>
<p>I do know you can apply as an Ada if you're younger than 24 if you are a veteran or have a dependent child.</p>
<p>I was originally applying as a transfer student but the admissions counselors at Smith told me it would be better (meaning for acceptance?) to apply as an Ada because of my veteran status (three years in military intelligence). And I was twenty four at the time.</p>
<p>No I spent some time at Fort Gordon (Georgia), Jackson (South Carolina), and Hood (TexASS). </p>
<p>I got out after my first contract because I felt like the impending war in Iraq was immoral and didnt agree with Bush's use of the military for his own game of RISK with the world. I started an Anti-War organization on my current campus, but since it's Texas it's very unpopular and small. (People come to our meetings and heckle us and tear down ALL of our posters - they love that man here).</p>
<p>My D has Ada's in her classes and she get's along fine with them. I understand that some Ada's are a little more standoffish and aloof. I can see both sides of it. To some older, more mature women, young women my D's age might seem a combination of just too bouncy and naive and for older-than-30 Ada's, living with a bunch of 18-20-year-olds might be an "interesting" experience on both sides. </p>
<p>However, living arrangements aside, I think both sides can value from regular interaction and that certainly has been true in my D's experience. I talked a bit with one of her classmates who had spent 8 years in the Army and was having a very good time at Smith.</p>
<p>I met the most amazing ADA on our visit to the campus last spring. She was around 55 or so (I guessed, that being my age), and it turns out she was from the small town next to ours. She was working in the music library (where my d. has her second home.) she had just entered as a junior. Turns out her d. was a third-year doing JYA in Paris, and they are planning to graduate together this year!</p>
<p>Nice to hear positive feedback about the program. I can see where much older Adas might have little in common with traditional students. There are some much older students at my current school, and sometimes they seem to drag their issues into class. So I can understand some friction. But it's nice to know that any negativity doesn't extend to all Adas across the board. </p>
<p>Since I have no outside commitments, I want to be as fully integrated into the student body as possible and your post was very encouraging.</p>
<p>tdm- I don't know what's her story exactly. I do know that if a traditional student gets married while at Smith, she automatically becomes an Ada. So maybe that was the case for her.</p>
<p>Northampton isn't my cup of tea as I'm a big fan of the Gap, B&N, Express, and other big chain, classy stores. But it's a sweet town to walk through on a beautiful day. Northampton is actually going through renovations as we speak, trying to bring in more upscale stores like Ann Taylor (?) and fixing up the buildings to look nice. I actually like the new changes because they're refreshing and more modern. As for the people, they seem aloof but the CVS employees are pretty good. The people still weird me out a bit with all the smoke... You see kids jaunting through the town and you're scratching your head on why they're not in school... LOL It's been an interesting experience. I can't give you the whole picture as I don't go downtown very often as I have too much to do on this campus!</p>