It’s down to these two for D. Smith is about the price we expected (ouch) and Mount Holyoke will be significantly less expensive (note that I am avoiding the word “cheap” LOL). We plan to visit both and get a feel for them. She is thinking about a Poli Sci/International Affairs major, possibly a Dance minor. She is intrigued by the idea of a 5-year masters program. Aside from “depends on the kid,” are there any more tangible thoughts on whether Smith is worth a bigger investment?
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In terms of general academics, it may not make sense to make a significantly larger investment for Smith. In terms of specific programs, MHC may fit her interests better. Both schools have Dance and PoliSci departments (actually “Politics” at MHC and “Government” at Smith). However, MHC also has an “International Relations” department and major, which Smith lacks (although students at both schools can pursue the “Five College IR Certificate”).
Some people might be willing to spend more for the setting of Smith. Smith is located in the small but lively city of Northampton. As per Wikipedia, Northampton is “known as an academic, artistic, musical, and countercultural hub” featuring “a large politically liberal community along with numerous alternative health and intellectual organizations”.
In contrast, Mt. Holyoke is located in South Hadley, a less urban community which isn’t really a “hub” for anything. There is a small shopping center across the street from MHC, and not very much else within walking distance. Of course, some people might prefer the more rural setting of MHC; for example, they have an amazing equestrian center and great riding opportunities.
You’ll get an excellent education at either of these schools, and as far as education goes, I don’t think one is necessarily “worth” more than the other. I would have your daughter looks into her specific academic program at each school and see if one has more or unique opportunities she just can’t miss out on.
I think it’s really a matter of which school is a better fit for your D. Are you able to visit the schools? Most students immediately know which school would be better for them after some time on campus. They have different “feels” to them.
My D was accepted at both as well and I would suggest that you go to both campuses and spend some time there. There is a palpable difference IMHO. Both schools will provide a very good education, Smith in a more desirable location and unique housing. MoHo felt more inclusive to me, but my D didn’t notice a difference. Personally I don’t think one or the other is worth considerably more $$ so my vote goes with MoHo. From earlier posts, it seems the academic majors might be a better fit as well.
It sounds like I am not wasting money by arranging a visit. We are from Colorado and it makes NE school visits a challenge. We saw both of these on a whirlwind trip (8 days, 11 schools, 6 interviews, 4 hotels, several planes, a train, and a car). It was summer and there were very few students. Her impression of Smith was better but that may have been because Northampton is cool. I am hoping the re-visit settles it, but will also advise her to do a very thorough review of majors/minors and courses before we go.
In my experience, LACs located in more rural and isolated areas (e.g. Williams, Middlebury) tend to have particularly strong senses of community. I don’t know if MHC fits this pattern, but it wouldn’t surprise me.
^Yes, I would agree with @Corbett and @pauler80020 absolutely feel a second visit to both campuses is a good idea. Are their admitted students days synchronized? They are so close together that if you spend at least one overnight you’ll get a good sense of the two different areas they are in. Might as well take a drive to the UMass Amherst campus as well, its part of the 5 school consortium and she may very well end up there for a class or two.
Yep, @NEPatsGirl as of moments ago we have a plan. She has a couple days off at school later in the month, so we will spend a weekend checking out the area (including UMass), and there are events at both schools the next week. Looks like she can take dance classes at both schools as well. Three days missed school with travel, but we get her home in time for Prom. Fun times!
@pauler80020
Current MHC student here (also from Colorado!) I agree that school visits will be helpful - MHC and Smith look similar on paper but the schools have very different vibes. Northampton is a fun town and South Hadley doesn’t have a lot going on, but it is easy to get to Amherst (the town) from MHC on the PVTA (about a 20 min bus ride). You aren’t in the middle of nowhere. Rural on the east coast looks very different from rural in the midwest or the west.
I personally feel that Mt. Holyoke does have a more inclusive and more laid-back community, which is one of the reasons I’m here. Smith 100% has a better housing system, but it’s easier to get to the other 5-Colleges from MHC (particularly Hampshire and Amherst College) than from Smith, since Smith is across the river. Smith is also bit bigger and has a slightly more exciting campus party scene, though MHC is by no means a convent.
If you have any questions about MHC or dealing with the distance from home, feel free to PM me!
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Thanks @FireflyLights. That’s cool that you are from CO! Oddly enough, when D interviewed at Smith the student interviewer had gone to HS in our school district (Boulder Valley). No shortage of Colorado kids at LACs back East, I’m assuming because we don’t have schools like that here. D was rejected at Colorado College (acceptance rate now <15%!).
We are looking forward to the visit. My sense is that she can’t go wrong. Two different flavors of ice cream but both are a treat 
@pauler80020 My D is also looking at both of these and she’s actually out there NOW visiting! She and my husband drove out this week from Chicago since it’s my D’s spring break. Like you, we visited last summer on a whirlwind college tour. She liked both equally on paper, but LOVED the town of Northampton. So when she got into both (With a Zollman from Smith and a Trustee scholarship at Mount Holyoke), she wanted to visit again with the students in session. While the money offer is significantly better at Mount Holyoke, she was leaning pretty heavily toward Smith. Surprise, surprise! She fell in LOVE with Mount Holyoke! She was there yesterday for an accepted student Q & A with admissions, then went to two classes, took a tour, had lunch with her tour guide, then did an overnight. She loved the students! She said there’s “every type of girl” there–preppy, athletic, nerdy, activist, internatioinal–and that made it really cool for her! Then today she went to Smith and went to three classes and is now doing an overnight. She likes it, and LOVED her French class there today, but overall said her “gut” tells her that Mount Holyoke is “home” for her–it just felt more like HER than Smith. I think visiting is key!
She is flying out to visit Scripps in a few weeks and Barnard is a possible dark horse in this competition (but WAY more expensive), but definitely visit Mount Holyoke AND Smith. I bet she’ll have a clear preference.
@smcirish I am figuring she will know by the time we leave Massachusetts. Barnard would have thrown a wrench into it, because she did a summer program there and loved it. But they waitlisted her, and she is not willing to fight for it knowing that the money won’t be good. She was already leaning toward the other two anyway, so thankfully there hasn’t been a lot of heartbreak. I never convinced her to apply anywhere in California… so we don’t have to mess with an extra trip there, at least. Regardless, I think she can’t go wrong with the choices she has. I’m glad your D is getting close to a decision!
@smcirish For what it is worth, Barnard has excellent financial aid. It’s need blind and meets full need. However, it does not offer any merit scholarships and so I assume that it was you were referring to when you said it was “WAY more expensive”.
@exlibris97 Yes, they do give good aid. But we don’t qualify for much aid (definitely much less than the merit she’s receiving at the other schools, plus NYC is so expensive. (It would cost $45,000 more than Mount Holyoke for us, to put it in perspective). My D also did a summer program there (@pauler80020, did your daughter do the Young Women’s Leadership Institute? If so, our D’s may know each other) and she LOVED it. We’ll see. Still lots of decisions to make.
@smcirish my D did YWLI in 2015. Let’s just say it strongly influenced her in regards to college preferences!
@exlibris97 yes Barnard gives good aid compared to, say, a state school out-of-state, but it is all need based. We are in that UMC trap where we have a high EFC and a thin layer of need. So even modest merit aid can save us quite a lot.
One tidbit: MHC has a very active and strong Model United Nations club. Might be notable for someone interested in intl relations.
Keep in mind that you can go to either of these schools and take classes at the other due to the Five Colleges consortium. My daughter is at MHC but took classes at Amherst and Hampshire last semester with no trouble. The same can be said with attending MHC but taking classes at Smith and vice versa. Make sure your daughter drives by all the five colleges in the loop while she is visiting. It’s a really great partnership…
MHC, Hampshire, Amherst, and UMass are a straight shot up Route 116, about 20 minutes from end-to-end. Smith, being across the river, takes more time to get to.
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@pauler80020 YWLI was an incredible experience for my D (2016) too. Maybe they will end up at the same college!
I went to MHC. Different vibe than Smith–MHC students are more relaxed, down to earth, service oriented.