<p>Hello all,</p>
<p>I am trying to decide between Smith (as a Zollman/STRIDE Scholar) and Carleton College (as a William Carleton Scholar). </p>
<p>I visited Smith this past weekend and had a mixed experience. I identified much more with the Juniors and Seniors I met - I connected with the more well-spoken women soon to graduate than with my peer students. In addition, I sensed a "shift" in what it means to be a Smithie - I got the impression that, unlike in the past where going to Smith was a move of feirce defiance of a culture that disuaded women from attending college, now it was a champion of "women's learning," which I don't buy. Many of the prospies were the "sheltered" or "awkward" types. This was just my experience. I did love the professors and campus, and the gaurentee of research as well as many opportunities to do things in the summer/school year.</p>
<p>On the other hand, I have visited St. Olaf (a neighbor to Carleton) and I really loved the vibe there and in the midwest in general. I found the students I met as part of the Buntrock Scholarship program much more intelectually stimulating than at Smith, and I liked having guys around. A lot. But there is no gaurentee of researching with professors at Carleton, and there are much more limited opportunities of academic endevours durring the summer. </p>
<p>Help!</p>
<p>Bump! I would really appreciate your opinion!</p>
<p>I think that you shouldn’t base your opinion of Smith on a handful of other prospies, especially since your visit can be really swayed by the house you were place in, etc. Did you have a chance to visit classes, go to the Stride breakfast, or talk to professors? How were those experiences?</p>
<p>maddawgcello - my d has three top picks right now - Smith, Mt Holyoke and St. Olaf. We visited Olaf in the fall and loved it - the vibe and warmth were so special as was the connection to community. My d got the next level scholarship - Presidential and more grant aid. She didnt even want to visit Carleton when we were out there as the reputation was that it was hyper competitive in a way similar to many east coast top LACs. For my d, her concern with Olaf was that there is a neuroscience concentration but not major and similarly seemed to have less opportunities for research and internships. Her experiences at Smith were that the women were intellectually curious, passionate and engaged in the world. I suppose, much of anyone’s impression is subject to the luck of the draw in who you room with/eat with, etc. I know for my d, her overnight visit sold her and we are awaiting a FA review to hopefully make attending possible. I wish my d could have your STRIDE</p>
<p>D came from Europe and was, like your D, slightly disappointed at first by the lack of sophistication of her first year peers. However, one of the best things about Smith is the housing system: all four years are mixed in every house, and even if your D’s roommate is a first year, she will be able to meet and make friends with older students in her house very rapidly, all the more so as she will be assigned a “big sister” whose role is to facilitate the adaptation period. Moreover, there is no lack of intellectual stimulation at Smith, and the shy, awkward students you met will surprise you very soon.</p>
<p>I will say that I think the “shift” you noticed is very real. However, give people time to blossom and know that half your house will be juniors/seniors. </p>
<p>It can be hard to be here if you’re VERY comfortable and outspoken, as, surprisingly, a number of your peers won’t be.</p>
<p>PM me for more details if youd like</p>
<p>You mention St. Olaf’s students. What did you think of Carleton students? They’re in the same town; you must have visited Carleton as well.</p>
<p>You shouldn’t attend Smith just for the opportunities afforded by the scholarship. I’m sure you can do research at Carleton as well, if that’s where you’re more comfortable.</p>
<p>I doesn’t sound like you’re in sympathy with Smith’s mission. (I am – so no Smith knocks intended.) If not, you’d probably be happier at a school whose mission is more aligned with your own ideas.</p>
<p>I felt the same way about smith when I visited, just wondering maddawgcello what you decided!</p>