<p>I'm a new transfer student at Smith and I can't wait to start this fall! I'm going to be a junior and I definitely was thinking of taking advantage of the Five college consortium. My question is, can first year transfers take classes outside Smith? I know that at least half of my credits will have to be at Smith (around 8 credits they say), but it would be cool to take a class at another class. I think they said that first years can't take classes outside of Smith (not sure?).My fear also is that they're going to just group the freshman and the transfers together, which I'm not a fan of. It's a different experience after all. And I'll be a junior not a freshman. </p>
<p>Any help would be great. Thanks!</p>
<p>“First-year” is the term that Smith uses instead of “freshman,” so first-year restrictions won’t apply to you. I think the restriction you’re thinking of is that first-semester first-years can take consortium classes, but will need the class dean’s permission. </p>
<p>Probably the only time you’ll be grouped with first-years is during portions of orientation.</p>
<p>hi KAT - I just wrote a reply that got erased while trying to post… grrrr…</p>
<p>Anyway, you shouldn’t have any issue with taking consortium classes at all as a transfer junior. Just make sure you look at the course offerings and schedules for all the 5 colleges this summer and plan out a tentative schedule for yourself, with several back-up alternatives, since you likely will not have a chance to register for classes until you are on campus. Your assigned advisor should be able to help you with this process as well.</p>
<p>My D was a transfer soph last fall and had similar concerns about being lumped with freshman/first years, but it was a non-issue. Her classes were all a mix of 1st-4th years, and of course the houses are a mix of all 4 years as well, so it works out great. There is also a separate orientation gathering just for transfers.</p>
<p>Enjoy, and welcome to Smith!</p>