<p>I have been accepted to Smith as a STRIDE scholar and with a great financial aid offer. Coupling that with all of the amazing things I have heard about the school, it is definitely one of my top choices. However, I am rather worried about the stress level and competitiveness of the average student. I don't want to attend a school where the students are cutthroat, and I definitely don't want to be at a school where everyone is so worried about their studies that they refuse to leave the library/ their dorm room for days on end. Unfortunately, I have heard some rumors that Smith may have some of these qualities, so I wanted to hear from some current smithies about how stressful the school really is!</p>
<p>If it helps, I am hoping double major or major/minor in Biochem and English (or maybe comparative lit? arg, can't decide). I am also interested in theater, though I am planning to only participate as an extracurricular. I am the type that tends to get very stressed and anxious about school, and would prefer to go to a college that does not exacerbate this negative trait. Any information would be very helpful!</p>
<p>My daughter has had the opposite experience of the rumors you’ve heard. She’s found Smithies to be friendly and collaborative. She typically studies for tests with a group of students from class (and not her regular friend group, she seems to make different study friends in different classes). This is especially true in her chemistry and biology classes, which are not full of cutthroat premed students as urban legend would have it. Smithies are serious about studying, but they are also serious about doing a lot of other activities. For example, in addition to her research project, my daughter participates in a sport and one other significant activity, plus spends time hanging out with her friends. Based on all the stuff you would be doing at Smith (double major/STRIDE/theatre) it sounds as if you would fit right in. Also, Smith has produced the most Fulbright Fellows among liberal arts colleges since 2002, and you don’t get those by just staying in your room and studying.</p>
<p>My D was a STRIDE, graduated '08. One anecdote: Three friends consoling someone about a B+, each of whom would be mortified to have gotten the grade herself. Definitely not cuthroat though, lots of support and collaboration, lots of healthy breadth in activities, competition with one’s self. Mine was active in orchestra, dance productions, and the Smith Catholic community. (NB, the latter is about as feminist was about as feminist as you can get. Sadly, the part-time chaplain positions were cut in the previous administration. How often do you encounter a woman chaplain, period, let alone Catholic?)</p>
<p>I am a sophomore at Smith. I’m a biochemistry major, I work in a biochemistry lab, I am going abroad to Paris next year, I am on the fencing team, I volunteer to give tours for the admissions office, and I also enjoy spending time with my friends. While it is common for Smithies to be extremely busy, this is self-imposed and not because of the college. Most Smithies take heavy course loads, participate in many extracurricular activities and research, and also have an active social life. Smith is a very supportive environment. We have great advising, helpful and understanding professors, and an extremely close and supportive community. While most students set very high standards for themselves, they are not usually competitive with each other. I often study with other students, especially in my science classes, and I know that if I ever miss a class I can get notes from someone. I am always busy, but I know that would be true for me at any college. I am really happy that I have such a supportive environment so that I am able to balance everything I am doing and pursue so many of my interests. </p>
<p>My D’s experience was very similar to that of Smithie55. Now, it must be said, I’ve heard of two friends consoling a Smithie about a B+, when they would have been as distraught if they had been on the receiving end. But it’s self-driven, not cut-throat vs. other Smithies. As my D said, “Not everyone here is my best friend but there are very few slackers here.”</p>