<p>D, TheMom, and I today went to the local barbecue for the Smith Alumni association today, one of those potpourri events where alums, currents students, and newly admitted students and their families mingle and get to know each other.</p>
<p>I am really impressed by the alumni and I have been with every contact I ever have. As D notes, yes, they're a self-selected group. But their commitment to the school, to the line of students in future generations, and to each other is gratifying to behold. Whether it's raising funds for locally awarded scholarships or helping newer alums with career contacts or just being there for each other, it's a great thing.</p>
<p>And then there's the confidence that Smith appears to engender. I've met one of the younger alums several times now. She plans on being state superintendent of education one of these days. She's, like, 23. </p>
<p>The next alum I meet who is unassertive will be the first. (Though, again, I'm deaing with a self-selected group. However, those I've met through other channels meet the profile.)</p>
<p>How comes the alumni, current students and new students in Chicago aren't meeting like this? It would give a much needed perspective on a lot of things and at least allow people to get to know each other.</p>
<p>I suspect it's wildly variable depending on the local alumni coordinator. I'd call one of the Smith offices...Admissions wouldn't be it but they could point you in the right direction...and find out who the Chicago-area coordinator is and give her a call.</p>
<p>One of the local alums, class of '50 or '51 and getting up there in age but still a real energetic live wire, was named Smith Alumna of the Year a year or two back...it all blurs together. There are five Smith Clubs in SoCal...San Diego, Pasadena, South Bay, Westside, and San Fernando Valley. The Valley, Westside, South Bay, and Pasadena work together on things like the Prospect Party (in January) and Admitted Students party (in April). The clubs do other things that don't have any direct connection with current/prospective students, including theater outings and stuff like that. All these women seem to have hyper-crammed schedules.</p>
<p>If your area isn't active, make it active when you graduate. One of the new up-and-comers on the local board just graduated in '04.</p>
<p>I didn't get an invite to one in my area until pretty late in the summer last year and haven't seen one yet this year. These are independent volunteer groups so each area is different. You could probably find out who the alum rep in your area is by contacting the alum office and then contact them to see when there will be a get-together.</p>
<p>Admissions is the office to contact. They supply the names of the admitted and prospective students to the admissions alumna coordinator in each area and will supply the names, phone numbers and emails of the admission coordinators in your area, as well as the local alumna interviewer. Often the two are one in the same. If unable or unwilling to visit Smith until accepted, having a local interview is a great way to learn about Smith, future parties and be included on the party invite list. </p>
<p>Having said all that, contacting all the appropriate future or accepted students regarding parties, teas, etc, if the an alumna offers to host a party in the first place, varies widely from area to area.</p>
<p>Admissions also supplies special prospective student packets to current students or alumna who are able to give Smith info sessions at their h/s alma mater.</p>
<p>All current students or alumnae should consider giving info sessions some serious thought. Admission officers can't be at every h/s ;)</p>
<p>Usjo supplied the webpage as another way to locate the local admission coordinators.</p>