<p>What are the opportunities to work with faculty in the sciences for women who are not Stride scholars? Is there work "left over" for women who are qualified for Smith, but aren't the top of the class?</p>
<p>Great question. Would like to know as well.</p>
<p>There are plenty of research spots in labs for undergrads from all years! As far as I can tell, there is no difference between research projects/opportunities between Stride and non-Stride students (except for the famous home made scones/tea baked by Prof de Villiers at the Stride teas!). Of course, Stride students are offered a choice of projects before they enter Smith and are paid a stipend the first couple of years. Any student, however, can walk up to a Prof and ask to be part of a project. I also know of students working over the summer in a Smith lab, being paid a stipend. Although D is a Stride scholar in a neuroscience lab, her many lab mates are not and they all seem to enjoy the same opportunities as she does.</p>
<p>You should keep in mind that many Strides don’t do research in the sciences at all. In fact, most of the Strides that I knew were working on humanities related projects. So it’s not as if they suck up all the science research opportunities right off the bat, they’re spread out across several different fields and they make up a relatively small portion of the student population. The only real benefit to being a Stride researcher (other than the aforementioned teas) is that your garaunteed a chance to do research. But for most other students, not having an ironclad garauntee is not a problem. </p>
<p>Also, there are other opportunities for research fellowships once you get to Smith. Your D could apply to be a Kahn Fellow: [Smith</a> College: Kahn Liberal Arts Institute](<a href=“http://www.smith.edu/kahninstitute/]Smith”>Kahn Liberal Arts Institute | Smith College)</p>