<p>Please tell me everything you know about Smith College!!</p>
<p>And yes I have researched their site and things like that :) It would be really helpful if you've attended/ are attending the school..</p>
<p>Chibifry, it might help if you had some more specific questions, but here goes with a few general observations. I'm just a parent, but I can tell you that my daughter, who is now in her second year at Smith, is about as happy there as she could be. She has found it easy to make friends, and has gotten involved in all kinds of activities. I have been particularly impressed with how supportive the professors, coaches, and advisors all have been. The Smith campus is one of my favorites among New England colleges -- a quiet oasis with a picturesque pond and waterfall, but just a short walk to a vibrant, fun town. My daughter lucked out with a single this year -- as a sophomore. Her "house" is one of the older ones on campus, and truly does feel more like a house than a dorm. You will find all political viewpoints represented on campus, although the liberal end of the spectrum dominates. My daughter is liberal herself, but has a couple of friends who are Republican. Being a part of a sports team has been particularly helpful to her in her adjustment to a new environment: it provided her with an immediate group of like-minded friends whom she has gotten to know really well because of the amount of time they spend together. At the same time, she has had no trouble keeping up with her academic responsibilities, partly because she's a very organized and efficient person, but also because her coaches take their athletes' academic work very seriously. She has been pleased with all the courses she has taken. I was particularly impressed with her description of a recent meeting with her advisor to choose next semester's classes -- he provided really substantive advice to help her through a quandary about her major(s) and her ultimate choice of career, and he gave her lots of attagirls for taking advantage of so many things Smith has to offer in the way of extracurricular extras (which range from poetry readings and talks about managing your finances after college to J-term expeditions to places like the desert Southwest). </p>
<p>As for the lack of guys at Smith, I think I was more concerned about it than she has been. </p>
<p>Anything else you'd like to know?</p>
<p>Hi Chibifry,</p>
<p>Not a student -- although I have expressed a desire to hide my degrees so that I can apply to Smith as an "Ada" (adult student finishing an undergrad degree) at Smith. ;)</p>
<p>My D is in her senior year and told me this summer she "couldn't imagine going anywhere else" to college. So we are happy campers. We have witnessed a great deal of support, encouragement and truly special opportunities for our D via Smith. At this point we feel somewhat nostalgic that this wonderful period of her life is drawing to a close, as excited as we are about what awaits her. </p>
<p>I suggest you visit and stroll the campus asking random students what they like best and least about Smith. </p>
<p>Feel free to e-mail any specific questions to me. I attended several of the President's talks this past couple of years, most recently one in October, so I am fairly on top of current agendas.</p>
<p>My d. has been consistently nothing short of ecstatic about her stay at Smith - academics, advising, social life, music (she's big into music), the town, religious life. If I get going, I'll probably gush too long, so better if you just ask questions.</p>
<p>There have been some rather special things that have happened that we never could have planned for. Smith funded my d.'s summer trip and work in India/Cambodia/Thailand last summer. Next year, she is expecting to use her Praxis internship (a paid internship that Smith provides to every student) to work in Italy for a Third World development organization prior to her junior year abroad at the Smith Center in Florence. Her STRIDE research assistantship paid her to prepare a working edition of the first opera ever written by a woman (in 1626), and it is being performed in February (we are going!) She has made a bunch of good friends, her advising has been superb...better stop... PM if questions.</p>
<p>Sounds interesting...^^
I love how Smith is really strong in academics.</p>
<p>I was wondering how difficult Smith College is in terms of admission. Could anyone compare it to a well-known college?</p>
<p>Also, is there a business major there? o_O</p>
<p>Smith is a well-known college. I think that about half the applicants are accepted each year, but this past year (class of 2009) was the most selective in the school's history. </p>
<p>There is no business major. The only "technical" major at Smith is engineering, and if you were to take a business class elsewhere the credits would not count towards a Smith degree.</p>
<p>Another parent of a second-year here. When folks ask how D is doing, I often can sum it up as "tired but happy." Works a lot, is having a great time. And I honestly can't imagine any of the other colleges she applied to being a better overall fit, including Yale, Stanford, Wellesely, and Barnard (accepted at the latter two, denied admission to the first two).</p>
<p>She's planning on spending 5-7 months on an internship with a U.S. Senate staff next Summer/Fall and then spending Spring with a Mathematics program in Budapest.</p>
<p>Talked to her tonight and the salient quote was, "The culture of Smith is such that you feel like you're being lazy if you're not working on something intellectually engaging."</p>
<p>She likes her classes, classmates, profs, major advisors, the town, the Catholic student group, the orchestra, the wind ensemble, her house, her roommate...the list goes on for quite a bit. Last March she was sick of snow...now she's waiting for the snow as an alternative to the rain. She wants to take more classes than she has room in her schedule for and is having to make difficult choices, made moreso by being a double major (Math/Government).</p>
<p>I'll go along with Pesto...I was more concerned about the lack of guys than she is.</p>
<p>I'm a current junior at Smith and I love it here. If you're interested in a business major, well, the registrar gracefully leaves you some options. If you want it badly enough and are willing to do the leg work, you can design your own major. I have a few friends who are taking that option and are as happy as can be. You can also do a Business minor and get a 5-college certificate by taking classes at Amherst, UMass, Hampshire or M.Holyoke. </p>
<p>I'd say if you're looking for an easy way to major in business, you might want to look somewhere else, but if everything else about Smith is appealing to you, then you should definitely take a close look at the options this college offers.</p>
<p>I am smithie...but I don't think I like being here:(
(Some of my friends like here, some don't. It always happen since everyone is different)
classes are good but I don't think my tuition is worth it.
If you want to be somewhere small and surrounded by women ...maybe it's not bad place to stay;)</p>
<p>Ok academically...
very good, great classes, small and intimate, profs are pretty good so far (I'm a first year). Advising is nice...profs really care about how you are doing. Academics: A+</p>
<p>Socially....
Lots of ec's if you want it, they got it. Sports are getting more and more competetive, to be honest, theres not alot of school spirit for sports--if you are an athlete dont expect alot of people to come out for you. If you are straight, it is hard to find guys. Dont let admissions tell you its easy. If you have another orientation--you will be welcomed with open arms. I can tell you the lesbian population is much more visible than I thought it would be...and I live in the northeast and am used to it. If you want to party there are house parties on campus. ..they can be fun. Parties at umass (frat row) and amherst are always available...they get old after a while though.</p>
<p>Academically its a great school, the campus is amazingly gorgeous etc etc. BUT I encourage you to do an overnight. It really is a very different kind of place to live and takes getting used to. </p>
<p>As for business..theres no major but since the advising here is great then your adviser can help you as well as the Career Devel. office.
Good luck! any questions feel free to pm or post here.</p>
<p>well, Academics is pretty good but I don't think it could be A+. I'm also first year and taking 5 classes, but among these 5, 2 are great professors, 1 is maybe okay, 2 are not that great at all. I kinda don't feel like I'm learning much, which is sad. (As I mentioned, some of my friends feel same- that class in smith isn't that special. One of my friend who transfered from state college told me she thinks her prof. in state college taught better.) But I think it all depends on what class you are taking and who professor is. </p>
<p>Well the thing is, as I did, whatever you hear, it's you who decide. It doesn't really matter whatever I write- eventually you will be the one who will figure out if smith is right college for you or not. The only reason I am writing this is, I was really excited about coming to smith cuz I heard so many great stories from alumni, parents of students, students, etc. But I figured out it isn't all true and smith isn't really right college for me at least. That's just what makes me feel sucks. </p>
<p>So my advice is, really, visit the campus and see if you like atmosphere. (It wouldn't be same as your being student at smith but it will give you some idea) Hear both bad sides and good sides so that you don't get too optimistic and excited.(Which I did.) Smith has quite high transfer rate as well. (Just be aware) </p>
<p>Remember: Nothing works better than your actual experience.</p>
<p>My D hasn't had a bad prof yet and the least of them has been "very good" with several "outstandings" sprinkled in. But she has been extremely assiduous in asking opinions and building a picture before hand, asking questions on DailyJolt during the summer before first year and asking other students questions from then on. She has juggled her schedule to get the "right" section for the "right" prof if more than one section was being taught and deferred some courses while taking others more immediately due to who was teaching. But then, I used the same paradigm when she was in elementary and middle school and she was doing it on her own by high school. D is so enthusiastic about her classes that she chose not to come home for Thanksgiving a day early because she didn't want to miss any classes even though many people do.</p>
<p>As for transfer rate, Smith's first-year retention rate is 90 percent...a little lower than some comparable co-ed LAC's and most of the differential, I think, is due to people who can't handle either a) the no-guys or b) the lesbian presence is uncomfortable for them. Still, 90 percent is pretty good. Amherst and Williams are around 97 but that's about tops; Bowdoin is about 94, Vassar 93, Oberlin 89, just to give some idea of range.</p>
<p>Otoh, I absolutely agree with Skyj that "fit" is extremely important and that it's going to matter only to you. I think the enthusiasm with which alumni, parents, current students, etc. mostly bring to it tells you what the typical experience is. If anything, D came in with high expectations and those expectations were surpassed.</p>
<p>Skyj, I'm sorry it hasn't worked out for you as you had hoped.</p>
<p>Hi, I also have some questions about Smith. its long..sorry.</p>
<p>I visited Smith last year, and loved it. I go to state school now and was interested in transferring to smith.</p>
<p>I visited again last month after I applied, and it didnt have the same "wow" factor as it did the first time. The lady that interviewed me was NOT very helpful, was pretty mean and told me that transfers have a very hard time getting in, especially mid year.</p>
<p>I dont really know if im RIGHT for smith. I was a VERY average student in high school. I did poorly on the SATs. It wasnt until I went to a very below average institution (though not a community college by any means) that I realized I wanted to actually CHALLENGE myself and work hard. </p>
<p>I worked my butt off, applied to smith, and just got an acceptance yesterday.
Basically its one of those "I never thought I could be a good student but I worked hard and here I am!" stories. The thing is, I dont really know that id fit in at Smith.</p>
<p>I feel like Smith is for a certain type of person and I dont know if I am that person. I know this sounds really lame, but I have a feeling I will feel really dumb at smith--not as politically aware or as educated or that I wont use enough big words. </p>
<p>everyone tells me "well you got in, you must be smart enough" but I dont know if thats the case. I AM a hard worker, but I feel like it would be hard for me to keep up.</p>
<p>should I feel this way?</p>
<p>Ive transfered once already and I want to chose somewhere that I will LOVE, not somewhere that i will feel like an idiot.</p>
<p>My daughter attends Smith and loves it. She had the same questions as you. Will I fit in? Is a womens college for me.?
She is absolutely in love with the college. You will be too.
Theres a place for everyone at Smith-- Republican, Democrat, artist, scientist, musician etc, etc. There are students from small towns who never saw a city before they had to fly into Boston on their way to Northampton their 1st year. I know one. Youll be way ahead on more students than you imagine</p>
<p>The students dont walk around using big words. Im married to a Smith alumna and she doesnt either. :)
The college has an incredible tutoring and support system if you need help, but I don't believe you will. You should be incredibly proud of what you have accomplished. You will NOT feel like an idiot. SATs have been shown NOT TO be an indication of how well youll do in college. Thats one reason colleges such as Bowdoin, Bates, Middlebury, et al no longer require them.
If I can be of any help, ask. TheDad and Mini are others you should ask for help.</p>
<p>RLT, good to see you post here.</p>
<p>Supercow, I've come to trust college admissions departments in general on one thing: in general, they know what they're doing in that people they admit will do just find at their college. Do they make <em>mistakes</em>? Yes...but when you look at everything, relatively few. I wouldn't let one "mean" interviewer knock you off your stride...statistically, she was probably correct: mid-year transfers to have poor odds. Therefore the admissions folks must have seen something much better than average in your application.</p>
<p>I would get on DailyJolt right away and start sounding folks out about courses you want to take, cross-referencing with the schedule and asking about specific profs. My D has had a very good run of profs, with maybe one "better than average" and the others running from "good" to "very good" to "outstanding."</p>
<p>What's your major? What year are you? What house are you assigned to?</p>
<p>Finally, congratulations. And, yes, several of us...both parents and students...are here to help. Ask away.</p>
<p>Btw, I think my D (and by extension, me) have found the Smith propaganda to be pretty true: four years where it's all about you. So many opportunities just for the taking.</p>
<p>I think you should just take the chance.. When you realized you actually wanted to do good that was a big change. I think Smith wouldn't have picked you if they couldn't see that :]</p>
<p>Chibifry,</p>
<p>As someone whose daughter is in the process of applying, and as someone who has visited a couple of times and spoken to Smith students, I have heard nothing negative about any profs. I do think that TheDad gives wonderful insight for us all; do your homework, go to the dailyjolt and take time to read about the different profs and courses available. Smith will surpass any expectations you may have, all you need to do is work a little at it. It appears that all is there for the taking!</p>
<p>Well, okay- I know I am saying negative things- just because I am a smithie who doesn't like being here, and know some students who feel the same way-.</p>
<p>Academic wise, I don't think it is bad. But also I don't think it's worth my money. Everyone here says very positive things- either because they are here or their daughters are here. Don't believe all the things they say- because they will say only positive affects, which made me come here.</p>
<p>My teacher used to told me if school accept you that means you belong there. But sometimes it's wrong. I don't feel like I belong here, or like here-. It's probably because I don't like the environment. Academic wise, I have no problem. Both me and my roommate are thinking about transferring. I know some of my friend already writing application to transfer or decided not to come next semester.</p>
<p>About prof...they are willing to help and all and they might be good prof- but some of them are just not good at teaching. Some classes I feel like..."What the heck? What am I wasting my money for?"</p>
<p>For your concern- if you are hard worker you will be fine. And really, not all students are damn smart:) believe it or not, some of them are just average high school student. Smith is pretty easy to get in, especially when you look at the acceptance rate.</p>
<p>All I can say is- sadly, you will know if it is right place or not when you come here. It's you who will like here or not. I'm just writing this post because I don't want you to have all positive feelings about smith.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your posts, everyone. Its a hard choice to make, and Im pretty stressed out since I have already transferred once and this will be my second time. this is IT! </p>
<p>I guess what I meant to say is..Im sort of a big fish in a little pond right now, and have been for a while. The first college I went to was a joke. I was always the hardest worker in my class (because nobody else worked)! In the school I am attending now, the kid who sits next to me plays games on his cell phone and people just leave class 30 min early. Everything is just a joke and students just DONT care.</p>
<p>Smith is KNOWN for having really hard working students, which is what I wanted in a school, but I cant help but feeling like there will be NOBODY whos says "Wow, I really dont feel like doing this paper" or someone who will get a worse grade on a test then me. Im sure I sound really snobby right now, but...after going through 2 years of being the best in my class (because nobody else cared) it will be a slap in the face to be the worst. Has this happened to anyone?</p>
<p>About fitting in...I felt like I did, at first. When I first visited, I thought, "finally, a school that people LIKE and care about!" but the second time, I guess I was LOOKING for the bad parts, and I found them. </p>
<p>The thing is, I AM a hard worker. I worked very hard to beat the odds and get in as a transfer, but once Im there, will I be too intimidated to work as hard? will I give up? Is the course load impossible? Do teachers make you fend for yourself? These are all questions I will have to ask other Smith students, but I cant help but worry.</p>
<p>Again, this is judgemental on my part, but it seems like Smith attracts a certain KIND of person. When I looked around campus, mainly at my tour guides, they reminded me of certain people at my high school. Am I correct to assume this? Or am I wrong, because the tour guides do not represent the general population of Smith? Are there ANY ditzy, stupid girls there, or is it ONLY really smart, driven smithies?</p>
<p>I have class very soon, but I'll answer a few things:</p>
<p>lots of students don't feel like writing papers. I mean, it definitely depends on interest in the class (some just don't end up the way you picture them when you signed up) but it happens all the time. I've had to write quite a few that I didn't want to bother with.</p>
<p>Professors will not make you fend for yourself. They are available in office hours, will answer questions for you, and as mentioned above you can also go to the Jacobson Center for more help. The other day I forgot to turn something in during class, emailed the prof, and she was very nice and let me type it up and email it to her. I have yet to have a question that the professor wouldn't answer for me. I even had a prof who, instead of just answering a question for the person who asked it, would change her name in the email to "the student" and email it to the rest of the class. This was helpful as sometimes other students come up with questions you might not have thought of yourself.</p>
<p>I wouldn't say there are stupid girls here, but there are ditzy ones. What certain kind of person do you picture Smithies to be? I might be able to help prove/disprove your conception.</p>