<p>BJM, I honestly don't know about Smith in particular but in general, many colleges will not process even merit aid without FAFSA/Profile. I'd just call the FinAid office...that's an easily disposed of question and if you're absolutely sure that you'll get no need-based aid, you'll save yourself a lot of work. However, our income is in that borderlinish area where many would have assumed that we'd get no needs based aid. We did. (Borderlinish...the old "too much money for aid, not enough to simply write a check.")</p>
<p>Much depends on how you're arriving, whether you'll have a car, etc. We were limited to what could be crammed into three suitcases--two of D's, one of mine--and picked up everything else locally. We did have a list on the spreadsheet, broken down by category and "where to buy," and the Jolt list was one of the good points of departure.</p>
<p>I now realize that you've never mentioned parents in this process...is this something you're doing solo or do you have assistance?</p>
<p>We never were considered eligible for need-based aid but I did complete the FAFSA and Profile each year for the following reasons: </p>
<ol>
<li><p>You need the FAFSA if you want the student to take any Strafford loans. Our agreement with our D was that we would handle all except personal expenses (which she handled though summer earnings) and the Strafford student loan amount. These are pretty low, and we wanted her to have a financial "stake" in her education. We didn't want to hand her Smith on a silver platter. This is purely a value my H and I share. </p></li>
<li><p>As it turns out, D was awarded a nice grant for an abroad J-term program. Various academic and other departments at Smith have their own "slush funds." She was granted money from two different funds that enabled her to take advantage of a great opportunity, which we her parents would not have funded. She applied for this funding on her own at the suggestion of an advisor/prof, who guided her on how to maximize the result.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I don't know if she would have been considered for this money if she had not had financial aid papers on file. So even though we did not qualify for regular need-based aid, for something special and above-and-beyond, they came through very nicely. </p>
<p>I don't know if they even looked at our numbers when deciding on this funding, and it may have been a totally discretionary thing within the departments. But I figure it never hurts to jump through all the hoops, and may sometimes help.</p>
<p>thanks! that really helped!</p>
<p>SC, if you go to the Parents Cafe, the very top "permanent" list tacked to the top of the forum is titled something like "Last year's shopping lists, bedding, etc." may have a tonne of good suggestions.</p>
<p>My parents will be helping me. Thanks for the advice! the list was great.</p>
<p>Also..what banks are in northampton? Is there an ATM on campus to use? I am trying to switch my bank today and need to know what to switch it to!</p>
<p>The only ATM on campus is an Easthampton Savings Bank (though the closest branch is about a mile from campus). In Northampton (so not too far a walk), there is a BankNorth and Bank of America.</p>
<p>If you are living in Wilson, I'd say go Easthampton (as you'll be less close to downtown.) On the other hand, if you live in Wilson, you'll have no place to spend any money UNLESS you go downtown. ;)</p>
<p>D is with BankNorth and has been very happy with them. I forget the reason but there <em>was</em> one to pick it over Easthampton...darned if I remember what it was or how significant. I avoid B of A on general principles...seven plagues upon them.</p>
<p>Okay, so, I am having a mini crisis right now. I am moving into smith tomorrow and I JUST got an email from Randy Shannon saying that he is moving me to another house. I requested the quad, got wilson..and now I am supposed to live on elm street. Why did this happen? I am very upset, and I dont know what to do!</p>
<p>Where on Elm Street? Elm Street can be pretty nice!</p>
<p>Duckett. Im just upset because I was very excited that I got the quad, and now the night before Im going to smith, they switch me.</p>
<p>{{I am very upset, and I dont know what to do!}}</p>
<p>Call Randy 1st thing in the morning or talk to him personally when you arrive.
Someone is coming back they hadn't counted on, or not studying abroad as planned and their room isnt going to be vacant.
Dont despair; there might very well be another room in one of the quad houses open. Everything is in a bit of a flux right now.</p>
<p>Email Randy Shannon tonight, he is probably still there since it is a busy time for him. Tell him you would prefer to stay in the quad. They might have moved you to an Elm Street house because they have a single open there. Did you have a single or double in Wilson? Good luck, I bet you will find things to like about whatever house you end up in.
Ellen</p>
<p>I know that some people have a Mini problem but.... Oh, never mind. My bad.</p>
<p>Yeah, e-mail/call Randy Shannon immediately.</p>
<p>Its a strange situation...I had a roomate for Wilson, and then Randy e mailed us both saying "okay guys, heres your new room..". So, we are both moving together. I emailed him, but did not get a response yet.</p>
<p>Okay, everything is fine. Randy Shannon IS my best friend.</p>
<p>So wha happenind? (My d. is celebrating Randy Shannon today as well, and she's all moved in!)</p>
<p>So...you had a good first experience being a Smithie? I've heard that about Randy Shannon from many many students.</p>
<p>OMG...my head hurts. My D is still yelling about admission! If I didn't know any better I'd say she was "happy". <em>LOL</em> </p>
<p>When we do something in our family, we usually do it in large numbers. We are taking about 16 of us to dinner Saturday night to celebrate, then back to our house for more. We have a very close, tight-knit family (grandparents, godparents, cousins) and everyone wants to be part of the celebration. Needless to say it's a happy, happy time. The email the admissions dept. sends is quite nice with a picture of the staff holding a welcome to Smith banner. Now I have it all over my home.</p>