<p>How's the social life? I applied to Smith College because I liked the school's size, liberal arts, location, programs, etc, but I wasn't too sure about attending a girls' school (if indeed I am accepted!). So, how about it? Is going to a single-sex school really that big of a deal?</p>
<p>Well, as a current student, I have to say that going to a single-sex school is definitely an adjustment, and if you've always attended co-ed schools before this, it's going to be strange at first. But once you get over the first awkward stage, you might find you really like it. </p>
<p>One of the reasons I came to Smith was, unlike some of the women's colleges I looked at, we have plenty to do on campus. There are house parties, free movies, concerts, open mic nights, coffee houses, and of course the whole town of Northampton. So in general, the social scene at Smith is pretty vibrant, much more so IMO than that at some other women's colleges. </p>
<p>Speaking to the party scene specifically, it can be hit or miss. Some of the parties are really fun, and others are pretty lame. Some of them have lots of nice guys, and others have only a few, very sketchy males. So if partying is important to you, you'll want to get into the habit of exploring your off campus options as much as your on campus ones.</p>
<p>The short version, regarding guys, is that you have to work harder, particularly if you're looking for a serious relationship. I heard one Smithie say that it keeps her from taking guys for granted the way she thinks she would have at a co-ed school. I think my own D has enjoyed being around guys during her junior year Away though I wonder if her standards might be slightly more realistic as to what 20-year-old guys were like if she had gone to a co-ed school. And I've heard more than one say that they don't really have time for a serious relationship, that they'll catch up with that later or during the summer or while Away or whatever. </p>
<p>If you're looking just to be around guys or to have more casual relationships it's not that difficult but you <em>do</em> have to work at it, like taking classes at U/Mass or Amherst, getting involved in guy-inclusive activities in NoHo, being assiduous in checking out the parties, etc.</p>
<p>Good advice from TD. Finding guys is a chore according to my D, but as she puts it; that's not what she's there for. She does miss having guys in classes and as friends, and does fins it hard to find any to be friends with. Of course, she's only been there for one semester, so there's plenty of time for that to happen. Attending is most definitely an adjustment, but one very much worth making for a great education.</p>