Smith and Rigor

I attended the Spring Preview this past weekend with my daughter this past weekend. She likes Smith a lot but when I asked what her current rankings are in schools she has visited she still has University Of Chicago on top. Disregarding the obvious difficulty of getting admitted there she says the thing that she like so much about it is the academic rigor. “The place where fun goes to die” appeals immensely to her. She says she is tired of being surrounded by slackers and wants to be in an environment where she is pushed to her limits and wants other like minded peers with her.

So in general how would you rate Smith as far as rigor? She is interested in Neuroscience but not medical school but the PhD end point and research. I would guess there would be a cohort of ambitious/intensely academic students like most high quality institutions and few true slackers due to cost and selectivity. Is there a house or houses with more academically inclined students? Are there courses she can seek out where she’ll be pushed?

Thanks for any all replies.