Smith or Mount Holyoke - decision day May 1st

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I am trying to decide between these schools. Going for Government/Politics, as a transfer student (3 semesters done, 5 more to go)</p>

<p>Basically whittled it down to: Smith makes it a lot easier for me to study abroad. Mount Holyoke seems to have more interesting classes.</p>

<p>Study abroad is a huge deal for me, and at MHC I'd have to apply for separate financing through Laurel Fellowship. Since I studied abroad (in my home country for high school) it seems others with no experience would have priority as far as financing, I'm concerned I might not be able to pay for it, or I will have increased debt.</p>

<p>Smith is a great school but they offer less Government courses than MHC - not by alot- but also the descriptions at MHC just seem much more interesting. Then again, sometimes courses don't live up to the course description (for good and bad).</p>

<p>Any people have experience at either of these schools in Politics/Government? I know I can take courses at MHC as part of 5 Colleges Consortium. Anyone have experience taking courses at the other colleges? Is it really doable? And might I get locked out of courses because they fill up with resident students first? </p>

<p>btw, I don't drive, so I'm used to relying on public transportation and have had 2 hours commutes before.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Maybe you should ask this on the Smith and MHC forums specifically… I believe you’re more likely to get a current student’s view there.
Good luck with your decision!</p>

3

<p>My daughter at Smith had a friend who took two 5 Colleges courses (at different colleges) in one semester and it worked out fine. You need to plan carefully, though. I don’t think my daughter has taken any government courses, but almost all of her courses at Smith have been interesting. The Smith course descriptions are kind of dry, so they might not be the best way to evaluate the program.</p>

<p>Smith has a really nice study-abroad program. If you choose to go to a Smith-run program, it’s even easier because you’re dealing with people on campus when applying and doing paperwork. As you’re probably aware, all 4 of the Smith-run programs have offerings of interest to government students. Smith also has a Semester-in-Washington program that may be of interest to you (depending on how long and when you study abroad).</p>

4

<p>Just posted in the Smith and MHC forums - thanks @staceyneil
thanks @photodad, the study abroad at Smith seems just so much easier. I like the Geneva program, and I’m planning on doing an internship in DC, hopefully in the summer through the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.</p>