<p>I've heard the same thing about competitiveness but can't really back it up. Though from <em>some</em> Smith students I'm aware of, they tell each other than A- is an okay grade...but nobody wants one for themselves.</p>
<p>Otoh, there are those who are very balanced between academics and EC's and others that are, ah, very social. However, I've met about four dozen or so students and every one has been articulate, even if I wouldn't necessarily want to spend a transcontinental flight in the next seat to her.</p>
<p>Competition? What competition? Smith isn't cut-throat from where I've been. No one's fighting to get the last A. But yes, we have a sad reputation of being "perfectionists". But I blame that on the profs who set high standards for us.</p>
<p>Smithies set standards for each other and we work together to meet them. Everyone collaborates on projects, class notes, papers, etc. Very important. No one's selling themselves short. I've had friends who are more than happy to give me their notes whenever I miss class at no cost. Or even on regular basis... :) Smithies are friendly like that.</p>
<p>But when it comes to Latin Honors for graduation in the spring as seniors, there is a little bit of competition for the highest GPA just to make the top 25% (around 3.7 minimum GPA but it changes every year). Then diplomas are handed out and it's all forgotten.</p>
<p>Posts like yours make me feel happy with my choice to attend Smith :)</p>
<p>Crewmom,</p>
<p>While it is true that I am still undecided on my major, I still have interest in certain areas - IR, Economics, the social sciences in general. I know the importance of choosing the right major and I carefully discussed my options with my family. They are very supportive and want me to choose a field of study that I find interesting, but they also encourage me to choose a more marketable major. My mom and dad are History and Literature majors respectively, and although they have no regrets for their choices, they believe I should pick a major that would not leave me unemployed. For instance, in Bulgaria it is very hard for people with History of Art degrees to find profitable positions.
The Government major that Smith offers seems very interesting to me. In my country, universities offer Political science, International Relations and Public Policy, and as far as I could comprehend, the Government major seems like a combination of all these. I noticed that this is the most popular major at Smith, and a current Smithie told me that the department is wonderful. What are your opinions of this major?</p>
<p>I'm sorry, but I cannot stand the Government department. Hence, yes, the readings and profs are absolutely wonderful! But since it's the most popular government, it means HUGE classes. My International Politics class with Greg White has around 70 people (capped) and I feel like a nobody in there. I see some other interesting courses in there but the department class sizes are not worth it for me.</p>
<p>GOV majors have to take GOV 100, a very boring and difficult required introductory class. But after that, my friends are enjoying themselves!</p>
<p>It's a wonderful thing that the department combines different disciplines into one major- it's a way for students to stretch their minds and still focus on their interest. I had a friend who petitioned for an International Relations major because she wasn't interested in doing the Government major but they turned her down. So now she's a GOV major and has decided that this path might be better for her since she'll get to learn other areas and apply to her focus (International Relations). It's an opportunity. In grad school, you don't get that kind of opportunity to take a political theory or Israeli political system if you're going for an International Relations masters degree.</p>
<p>As another gov major (and next year's co- departmental liaison), I'd like to give another impression of the program:</p>
<p>yes, gov 100 and 241 (intro to political thinking and international politics) are big. some of the others (american presidency, for example) are as well. But gov 100 breaks into discussion sections of 20 students, and they are led by full professors. You can find smaller classes too...sophomore year, I took Founding of Constitutional Systems and it had 15 students in it. I've found that I've been able to get to know all my gov professors, even in such a large department. I've gotten really interested in the quanitatitive side of poli sci, and that's helped me carve a niche for myself. </p>
<p>Yes, it's harder to fade into the crowd as a gov major than, say, a physics major, where classes routinely have fewer than 10 students in them and there are only four current seniors in the department. But Smith profs in all departments are always willing to see you during office hours and are glad to get to know their students--you'll find a place in the gov department, if you want to.</p>
<p>Thanks for the comments. I hope I will manage to find my niche even in such a big department, and above all, I hope that the Government major would suit me.</p>
<p>Another datapoint about Gov: my D took Gov 100 and is taking a largish American Political Theory class this semester (the only first-year in the class, the speed of the "pitching" and the prof's hard grading is making her bust her buns). She has had know problem getting to know the profs and the department chair has just agreed to become her major advisor.</p>
<p>If I'm to judge how she feels about the classes themselves, I'd have to go by the detailed burbling about the various readings when she calls. Someone who is unhappy wouldn't do that.</p>