After having committed to Wellesley, I got off the waitlist at Smith. I know, Wellesley is slightly more competitive, but Smith was my dream school.
Now I’m stuck. I ended up falling in love with Wellesley, and was so excited to go, but I think Smith may be where my heart lies.
With limited time to decide and no ability to visit Smith again, I’m turning to you all for help.
I know both are great schools, but I want to know, from what you know, be it biased or unbiased, what is the difference in the vibe of the two schools? Which is better for STEM majors? For musical theatre lovers? Do Wellesley women spend all their time studying? Do Smithies feel trapped in Northampton?
I’m a prospective chem major, queer, feminist, smart and hard working but certainly not the study all the time type, interested in queer rights, reproductive rights, and musical theatre.
Thank you so much for your help!
(Oh I’m also hoping to go to med school after college, if that makes a difference!)
I know Wellesley has an amazing reputation for STEM and for med school admissions, but I do not know how Smith’s programs compare. I do know that a friend’s cousin was considering Wellesley but was disappointed with the theater opportunities. I would think there are more theater opportunities with the 5 school consortium; I believe there are open auditions at each school but I could be wrong. I am highly biased because I am transferring out of Wellesley, but I would encourage you to read through all the posts you can find on CC, scour both school’s websites for theater info (including the programs at the other schools in the consortium) & search the the internet for blogs from current students and recent grads. Good luck.
@fallenwinter would you care to elaborate?
I have until Friday to decide!
5-college consortium meaning you can take classes at any of the other colleges. Also Northampton is a very vibrant little city. I may be biased cuz I know someone who went there and loved it.
The cultural resources of Cambridge/Boston outdo Northampton by a factor of…what, say 100, at least? 
@Consolation Wellesley college is in wellesley not boston lol
@fallenwinter, as a Wellesley student I spent an enormous amount of time in Boston and Cambridge. It is extremely easy to get back and forth via a free bus that runs on the hour and takes 30-40 minutes. there is public transportation also.
As you say, “lol.”
Northampton left me unimpressed. I don’t get all the oh-it’s-so-wonderful. It’s a small city in the middle of nowhere. It has a couple of rainbow flags so it’s “progressive.” Give me the resources of Boston any day.
Amherst, Williams and Dartmouth are located in small, unimpressive towns. It’s astounding they attract as many applicants as they do. 
Hanover is not a bustling metropolis, but it has a lot more to offer than Williamstown.
I’ve spent a considerable amount of time in Hanover and continue to frequently visit Williamstown. Hanover does not have * a lot* more to offer than Williamstown.
Having said that, White River Junction is only ~ five miles from Hanover, which does signficantly increase one’s choices of locations to pursue extra curricular activities.
Most important is that from Hanover, Stowe is an easy hour and fifteen minute drive and Lake Sunapee forty minutes. Okay, Hanover wins.
I just transferred to Smith in January of this year, and honestly I love it. I am from a much larger city, and I have never felt trapped in Northampton. I love that little town. There are shops, and record stores, books stores, tattoo parlors, even a place that did free piercings at some point ; ] I have never felt withdrawn because of the small town feel. Smith itself is a vibrant community, and remember I say this as someone who transferred in the middle of an academic year. My course selection varied, I took issues in Queer studies, a class on race and it’s intersections, Critical theory, even a special studies with my adviser on Caribbean Literature. (I am an English major, therefore these classes are up my alley).
Wellesley may be a 30-40 minute ride into Boston, which is great, but at the end of the day I have the luxury of leaving campus and returning within a 5 minute walking period. My previous school was located in Easton, MA. They also offered a shuttle to the Red Line in Braintree, which allowed me to go into Boston. It sometimes became an exhausting trip. I love Boston, I personally live near it anyways, but the quirky small town feel was a nice change from the hustle and bustle I originally come from.
If there are any questions I can answer let me know. I can provide a different perspective than a mother, father, or anyone else can. I’d be more than happy to help. I used this forum to help me pick Smith, so I’m more than happy to share the love!
Thank you all for your input. I chose Smith. It just felt like the right fit for me. The pre-professional intensity of Wellesley seemed a bit much for me, and Smith seemed to have more of the resources I was looking for, besides academics, such as dance and theatre. I also am not the type of person who can see myself going into Boston often, but I know I will utilize the resources in Northampton. Thanks again!