<p>How is the computer science program at Smith? I’ve heard that at some schools, there is much more math focus than in others. Although I don’t exactly want the VERY minimal math, math is not my strong point, and I’d like to use my degree in more creative ways. I consider myself an artist at heart, after all, which is why I think a liberal arts college is more my style than a large university. </p>
<p>Also, how is the Digital Arts/Arts and Technology minor? How easy is it to take classes at say, Hampshire? I know that they have a unique grading policy, so is it harder to take classes there than say, Amherst or UMass?</p>
<p>I am a first year at Smith and intend on double majoring in computer science and digital/graphic art. The Computer Science and Art Departments at Smith have carefully integrated many aspects of these two fields and there are a number of courses that overlap
into both fields. As to math courses, generally there are three (3) math courses that are required to complete the major for computer science and a number of computer science classes will fulfill course requirements for both majors. The computer science classes I am taking are fairly small and the digital art class has only 8 students. From what others have indicated and from sources I have read both the computer science and digital/graphic art departments are highly regarded. Also there are a number of options for study abroad
programs for computer science and digital/graphic art especially in England, Scotland and other places in Western Europe. If you have any additional questions you can PM me.</p>
<p>An overlooked “Up” of Smith: self-scheduled finals. </p>
<p>In graduate school, D just had one final at 8am, another from 3-6pm. “What, they want to see how well we know the material when we’re tired?” D is about as much of a morning person as I am and an 8am final is punitive. I think she scheduled all her Smith finals to start between 11am and 2pm.</p>
<p>I love self-scheduled finals. I do my best work at night, so I take them during the 7 pm slot, or possibly the 2 pm (never the 9am). I can take all of my finals in the same room with nice big tables and an accurate clock and very few (if any) other people around. You can study until you are ready (within reason) and not until the professor says you have to begin. I took a class at UMass this semester and taking the exams was so strange; 160 people in a lecture hall taking a 12 page exam on a tiny, attached-to-the-seat desk with their cheat sheet (professor mandated) on one leg, and their calculator on the other. It made me appreciate Smith’s style of exams so much more than I already did.</p>
<p>I entirely agree! I personally love being able to do all my finals on the same day, while my brain is in “test” mode. Also, I can grab a comfy corner and not feel the stress of a room full of people taking a test.</p>
<p>I feel for you guys! In Singapore the ‘A’ level papers are either at 8-11am or 2-5pm, sometimes both. And it was in a hall, with everyone else. I really don’t want to have to repeat that, and am glad for Smith’s self-scheduled finals!</p>
<p>The classics department is small, but the students are very tightly knit. It’s one of the oldest departments at the college and it’s the only one that still has its own study room in the library (for Classics majors only. Look for the bust of Ceasar Augustus wearing the pink feather boa). </p>
<p>I dont’ know much about the music department as far as majoring goes, but several of my friends were in the orchestra department and had great things to say about the orchestra director. As did my friends in the chorus vis a vis the chorus director. </p>
<p>Also, don’t know about the whole philosophy department, but I do know that Jay Garfield, one of the philosophy professors, is also the director of the Five College Center for Tibetan Studies. He takes a few students every year to the Central University for Tibetan Studies in India. Because of his work and the work of the center, the Dalai Lama came to Smith a few years ago to address the student body. So if you’re interested in Bhuddist philosophy or Tibetan studies, it’s a great opportunity. [Philosophy</a> @ Smith](<a href=“http://www.smith.edu/philosophy/tibet.html]Philosophy”>http://www.smith.edu/philosophy/tibet.html)</p>
<p>Tarmiriel, our resident parental expert on the music department is mini, whose daughter double majored in music and Italian studies and has gone onto a phenomenal PhD program. I’ve just sent him a message so hopefully he’ll respond to your question soon.</p>
<p>Well, of course, faculty change in all departments. As noted, my d was a double-major - music (emphasis in composition) and Italian Studies. She is now in the fourth year of a joint musicology/Italian Studies Ph.D. program at Princeton. To give you an idea of how well they believed in her preparation, the program has not accepted a single applicant from any Ivy League school (or Williams, or Amherst) in more than five years. When she goes to meetings of the American Musicological Society, the Smithie graduates all get together - at the last breakfast, there were 11. My d. also played in the orchestra, and various baroque chamber groups, and sang in the Five-College Early Music choir. Her STRIDE project was arranging the score to be used of a production of the first opera ever written by a woman (in 1623) that was performed at Smith for some 2,000 people (and which propelled her into graduate school.) The composition program was small, but she also got to work with the graduate program and visiting faculty at UMass. The program is much stronger than that at Williams (especially with all the Five-College offerings), and Amherst’s, and she would tell you that the teaching and research opportunities for undergraduates are greater than at Princeton (where she is a head preceptor). </p>
<p>Feel free to PM me and tell you what I know, if I know it.</p>
<p>Wow, thanks! Just wanted to know that there’s some sort of strong music department, and it definitely looks like there is. I’m not yet sure if I would major, but I know that I want to spend time doing music in college and this looks like a great place to do it. I’m assuming nonmajors have opportunities as well?</p>
<p>What are the different housing areas: Green St., Center Campus, the Quads, etc. reputations in terms of social life/ the women that live there? As a first year, do you choose your house or just your area? Also, do they match roommates up by personality, or is it random? Thanks:)</p>
<p>That link does not include all the houses. For traditionally aged first years, your options are:(and when you fill out your roommate survey, you rank the areas, not the houses)
Also, there are a bazillion stereotypes about each area, and most of them do not fit every house every year. But, they persist on campus. I"m sure someone will nit pick my choice of stereotypes. THESE ARE JUST WHAT I’VE HEARD CONSISTENTLY and aren’t the rule</p>
<p>Center Campus(the catch all of Smith. a little bit of everything, houses are smaller, lots of annexes, Cutter and Ziskind are ugly)
Park
Sessions
Haven-Wesley
Cutter
Ziskind</p>
<p>East Quad (Good place to party, although King is the “green street” of the quad according to some people. Friendly, parties tend to be smaller)
Cushing
Emerson
Jordan
King
Scales</p>
<p>West Quad(Also a good place to party, but more “inclusive” house communities. Although they throw the big parties)
Gardiner
Morrow
Wilson
Comstock
Wilder</p>
<p>Green Street (Cape-wearers, studious, quiet, beautiful houses)
Morris
Lawrence
Tyler
Washburn
Hubbard</p>
<p>Upper Elm (These houses tend to be really insular as they’re off the beaten path, hipster-y)
Capen
Lamont
Northrop
Parsons
Talbot</p>
<p>Lower Elm (Also insular and hipster-y, but less so the Upper Elm)
Duckett
Gillett
Baldwin
Albright</p>
<p>Quick additions–the whole Center Campus/Upper Elm/Lower Elm kind of gets smushed together. The defining boundaries between the areas are really weird. Also, Chapin is closer to center campus than Green street but it’s considered part of Green street. (Also, Cutter/Ziskind might be ugly but they have really awesome house communities and hella singles. I’m moving out of Cutter because it’s just not for me, but the people there are lovely.)</p>
<p>Cape-wearers means exactly what it sounds like–people who wear capes. People tend to make fun of them, but the people I’ve met who wear capes are wonderful human beings so whatever.</p>
<p>My daughter lived on Green Street for her four years, and she never wore a cape. I agree, though, that some of the more quirky Smithies seem to live in that area. It doesn’t mean that all are. But the area is popular with quieter, more studious Smithies as well as those interested in the performance arts. My daughter loved that if she slept in by accident and woke up a few minutes before class, she could still make it on time.</p>
<p>My daughter lives on Green Street. She does fit the mold of a quieter, more studious type. But I have seen dozens of pictures of her and her friends and haven’t seen one cape…hmm methinks the poster is pulling our leg. :D</p>
I agree, though, that some of the more quirky Smithies seem to live in that area. It doesn’t mean that all are. But the area is popular with quieter, more studious Smithies as well as those interested in the performance arts. My daughter loved that if she slept in by accident and woke up a few minutes before class, she could still make it on time.</p>