Thoughts/Questions from an Excited Prospie

Colleges and Universities A-Z Smith College
1

<p>So I'm a senior in HS and I recently sent in my Smith application. I love Smith and I'm super excited and nervous to find out if I get in (sadly I'll be waiting until April as I applied RD). Anyhow, I had a couple quick questions for alums/current students and my fellow prospies. I'd love to hear anything you have to say about the school -- answer whichever you questions you want. </p>

<p>For prospies:
Why are you applying to Smith?
Is it your first choice?
What are you interested in studying? What are your other interests?
What most excites you about Smith?</p>

<p>For current students and alums:
Why did you pick Smith?
Why should we pick Smith?
What is your favorite thing about Smith? (your least favorite thing?)
What was the most useful thing you learned at Smith?
What did you major in? What did you do outside of class?
On a side note -- have you read Commencement? How accurately does it portray life at Smith?
Lastly, do you have any useful tips for us prospies?</p>

<p>THANKS!!</p>

2

<p>I’m applying to Smith because I’ve visited 4 times and I love it more each time. I also love the surrounding area. I could go on for pages but there you go
YES, it is! I applied ED (fingers crossed)
I think I want to be a Government Major. I LOVE LAW. Especially Constitutional Law and Supreme Court Jurisprudence/ History. Also like religion/ philosophy
The people are fantastic/the house system is fascinating!</p>

3

<p>Why are you applying to Smith?
I’m applying to Smith…god, this is hard. It’s small, academically rigorous, in a great area, full of lots of intelligent women to learn from and befriend. Also, housing is superb, their art/theatre/music/dance facilities are great, and I just really like the people and feel I would both fit in there and could also mature a lot there.</p>

<p>Is it your first choice?
One of my top 2, yeah.</p>

<p>What are you interested in studying? What are your other interests?
Right now I’m interested in women’s studies, English, history, and anthropology. I’m open to that changing a lot, though.
With regards to extracurriculars, I’m into the performing arts (vocal music, theatre, maybe some dance), student government, some political activism, and a bunch of other stuff. I love working towards a greater art/goal with people.</p>

<p>What most excites you about Smith?
The constant learning. The multitude of people, stories, and viewpoints to learn and discuss. The homey atmosphere. The strength of the sisterhood. The never-ending search for truth and happiness.</p>

4

<p>I was recently a current student, now a new alum. </p>

<p>I chose Smith for a lot of reasons. I knew I wanted to attend an East Coast college with a sense of history and tradition, but that was still vibrant and relevant. I wanted to attend a school with a strong English/History/or political science program that was not too small, not too rural, no sororities, and not too hard on the eyes. I fell in love with Smith because when I visited I felt innately connected to it. A lot of Smithies will echo this experience, something about it just “felt right”, I knew this was the place for me. </p>

<p>You should pick Smith because you like to work hard, you’re ambitious and excited about making a difference, you want to be immersed in tight-knit community of awesome women, and because you really want to go there. You know your own reasons best. </p>

<p>My favorite thing about Smith was the community and the support of the alums. I never felt so supported, so safe, so happy, so loved, so cared for, so challenged as I did when I went to college. My least favorite thing is the red tape. It’s not always easy to do what you want and the rules and regulations can be rigid. You have to perservere through the paperwork. </p>

<p>What was the most useful thing I learned at Smith? Alcohol does not actually make you write better papers. Nor does it make it easier to memorize Arabic vocabulary. No matter what your friends say. </p>

<p>I majored in Government, outside of class I was a tour guide, I was involved in political clubs, the newspaper, semester-in-Washington program, I dabbled in theater, I rented canoes at the boathouse, and I was in house government. </p>

<p>I have read Commencement, and I have my issues with it. For one thing, the plot is totally preposterous (please, why does every student in a pop culture representation of women’s colleges lust after their professors? why?). But some of the oberservations in it about Smithies really hit home for me. The one that was most moving was when she wrote something to the effect of few of the girls had made close female friends after leaving Smith, and how Smith women relate to each other differently. I think the quote was “sometimes you couldn’t tell where one woman left off and the other began.” </p>

<p>That was one of those “How does she know that?” moments.</p>

5

<p>P.S. I’m so excited you guys are excited! I had the time of my life at Smith, and while I like adulthood, I miss Smith every day.</p>

6

<p>Why did you pick Smith?
It was the only historically all-women’s college I applied to & the more I looked into it, the more attractive single-sex education appealed to me. I was pretty sure I wanted a co-ed school, but then I got more & more excited about Smith’s focus on WOMEN and their careers & aspirations. My friends at co-ed schools tell me how men seem to be the focus in the classroom & even at ones where the male:female ration is close to 50/50, men seem to be the ones who are holding most of the student leadership posistions & getting the most attention from profs. The fact that women hold almost every student leadership posistion sounded great, especially considering I want to enter the public policy realm which is very much male-dominated. Also, the location/Five College Consortium, the student body, and the housing system. That being said, know that a single-sex education would be beneficial to you- SERIOUSLY! IT’S NOT FOR EVERYONE. If you are “one of the guys”, it will likely be difficult for you especially.</p>

<p>Why should we pick Smith?
Pretty much for the same reasons above: the college was historically founded to further the particular aspirations of women (though I certainly embrace the trans community here :slight_smile: the consortium, the housing system (!!!) & especially if you want to be in a small arts town-like atmosphere. </p>

<p>What is your favorite thing about Smith? (your least favorite thing?)
Favorites: the Five College Consortium opportunities avaliable, housing system, how there really is a niche for everyone</p>

<p>Least favorites: How heavily regulated “official” Smith parties are, how a few departments you think would be somewhat stronger aren’t, how easy it is to get “stuck in the Smith bubble” if you don’t make a concerted effort not to be.</p>

<p>What was the most useful thing you learned at Smith?
Confidence and leadership in & out of the classroom. Almost anyone will tell you how much these are fostered here in an historically all-women’s college environment.</p>

<p>What did you major in? What did you do outside of class?
Gov/Spanish. I’m involved with the Smith Dems, Peer Sexuality Educators, Voices for Planned Parenthood, Five College Reproductive Health Advocates & Transcending Gender all to varying degrees. I also volunteer at a homeless shelter in Northampton through the Community Service Office. </p>

<p>On a side note – have you read Commencement? How accurately does it portray life at Smith?
It plays up sterotypes like no other. Obviously there are out n’ proud LGBT people, outspoken feminists, the “pearls n’ penny loafers” women one may automatically think of when imagining what historically all-women’s colleges are like, a few pretty damn shallow folks, even what some might call LUGs. But Smith students as a whole are so much more diverse than that. The author isn’t even protraying The Universal Smith Experience if there even was one, just the one that’s most entertaining to read about.</p>

<p>If I’m not clear enough, don’t think the experience of these fictional characters will be your experience at Smith or even have to be. In fact, don’t even read it to psyche yourself up for Smith imho, anyway.</p>

<p>Lastly, do you have any useful tips for us prospies?
Visit before you go if you can, show your leadership qualities in you app as well as why you want to go to Smith/why it would “fit you” well & why you believe you have something to contribute to the institution. Oh, and good luck!</p>

7

<p>I’m applying to Smith.
I attended their Summer Science and Engineering Program, and totally just fell in love with it. I love the incredibly awesome engineering program, the strong language departments, the great ballet opportunities…it just “fits” me so well. Northampton is also amazing…
I want to study engineering, but I do a lot of ballet outside of school, so I’ll definitely continue that in college if possible. I’m also considering a Chinese minor…so many options!
I don’t have a clear first choice college, but Smith is definitely in my top 5 (I have a top 5 and not-as-top 5)</p>

8

<p>This is awesome!!! Thanks so much to everyone who responded!</p>

<p>I realized that I should probably answer my own prospie Qs, so here goes.</p>

<p>Why are you applying to Smith?
I attended SSEP too and adored it! I loved the campus, the professors, the courses and Northampton. Then I visited this summer and fell in love again. I’m really attached to the idea of attending a women’s college and I think that Smith, of the women’s colleges, fits my personality best. </p>

<p>Is it your first choice?
Yes! :)</p>

<p>What are you interested in studying? What are your other interests?
Biology, Chemistry… Community service. </p>

<p>What most excites you about Smith?
the academics, the community, meeting lots of other intelligent and thoughtful young women</p>

9

<p>International prospie here (just finishing up my RD application). </p>

<p>I’m applying to Smith because I’m bowled over by the amazing academics, the location (I’ve only been to Northampton once, but I loved it), the housing system, the alumni network, and the concept that so many of these impressive opportunities are specific to women (and trans people as well, to second MeridethBelle’s comment). I’m also really fascinated by the botanic garden, though I know that ‘chrysanthemums’ qualifies as a weird reason to apply. :slight_smile: </p>

<p>It IS my first choice, but I’m applying RD for financial aid reasons. </p>

<p>I’m interested in studying English/Comparative Lit/Philosophy/Religion/Classics/something else involving scads and scads of reading. And a few different world languages, since I haven’t had exposure to many besides French and Spanish. Beyond that, I really enjoy mental & sexual health advocacy, anything human rights and social justice-related, vegan baking (try my brownies. I SHALL convert all!), & literary activities, especially writing poetry and editing. </p>

<p>Academics are probably what most excites me about Smith, followed by the beauty of the campus and the sense of community in its housing system.</p>

10

<p>Why are you applying to Smith?
Because I like what they have to offer and it seems like a safe, welcoming place to me.</p>

<p>Is it your first choice?
No. I’m indecisive and I don’t have a first choice.</p>

<p>What are you interested in studying? What are your other interests?
Biology (pre-med), Chemistry, Spanish, Hindi, Arabic</p>

<p>What most excites you about Smith?
The community! I go to an extremely supportive girl’s school, and my overnight at Smith topped that. I’ve never felt so non-judged and loved in my life. I saw the deep bonds between students that I want in my own relationships. And I went to a chem class where you answered questions with a remote, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire - style.</p>

11

<p>For current students and alums (I’m the latter, having graduated a few years ago):</p>

<p>Why did you pick Smith? Of the places I was accepted, it was the middle point on the see-saw of cost and academic rigor. And I thought I’d make friends there.</p>

<p>Why should we pick Smith? Because you’re ready and excited to learn from your classes, as well as from your peers. </p>

<p>What is your favorite thing about Smith? Oh, so many! I’ll pick three.</p>

<p>a) It’s set up for your success. No matter what you want to do (almost without limit), there are resources available to help you achieve it.<br>
b) It’s so beautiful
c) the people! I made friends there I hope to keep for the rest of my life. I have a connection to thousands of awesome women of all ages (when I moved to a new town after college, I joined the Smith club and had a great time…including going to see Julie & Julia with a dozen women, aged 23-78). And I loved the faculty and staff, too.</p>

<p>(your least favorite thing?): It is freezing cold. And since it is quite liberal and so am I, I didn’t really get the chance to question my beliefs and learn to defend them. In graduate school, I had friends and classmates who were more conservative and I learned a lot from talking with them.</p>

<p>What was the most useful thing you learned at Smith? What I wanted my life to be like. Not just what I wanted to do for a living (though I did realize that there, with the help of some classes and friends), but the kind of people with whom I wanted to surround myself, the values I wanted to practice, and the things I liked doing for fun. Even little things, like some of my favorite foods or musicians, were experienced for the first time at Smith.</p>

<p>What did you major in? Government, with a self-designed minor in social science methodology.</p>

<p>What did you do outside of class? class cabinet, Hillel, semester-in-Washington program, community service, babysitting and dogwalking, research (for professors and on my own), various on-campus jobs and committees, lots of time just hanging out with friends and housemates.</p>

<p>On a side note – have you read Commencement? How accurately does it portray life at Smith? Yes, I have. I think the author tried to take the entire student body’s activities and character traits and incorporate them into four very stereotypical characters. There were things about the book that were incredibly accurate, but overall it felt really overdone to me. Many of the things in the book are probably true of some people at Smith, but most people are far less extreme than any of the characters. </p>

<p>Lastly, do you have any useful tips for us prospies? Try and visit campus if possible. With that said, if you end up at Smith, go in with an open mind–no matter how much research you’ve done, things about it will surprise you (some for the better and some for the worst). Like any new experience, it may take time to settle in and find your niche. But I really believe that if you’re determined to have a good time and be proactive in joining or organizing things, you’ll find a set of college activities and friends that will make your life amazing.</p>

12

<p>Stacy has a great answer for “most useful thing learned”. I really concur.</p>

13

<p>I’m applying to Smith because I want to be surronded by the strongest brightest women the country has to offer and I firmly believe Smith has them. Plus, I love their traditions, locations, and wonderful sense of community.</p>

<p>Smith is 100% my first choice. If I don’t get in I’ll cry</p>

<p>I want to study Neuroscience and Arabic. I also LOVE theatre :)</p>

<p>I’m excited about everything!!! It makes my stomach do backflips to think about going there</p>

14

<p>WHY DID YOU PICK SMITH?
open curriculum, the excellence of my major department & the fact that i could get recommendations on a professor’s teaching ability (as a transfer student from a large school, this is something i have never taken for granted). i can say that the decision was purely academic, although there have undoubtedly been some social benefits as well. =]</p>

<p>WHY SHOULD WE PICK SMITH?
i don’t mean to give the wishy-washy reason but you should select smith if you think it is the right school for you. does it “feel” right? if you can afford it, always visit. a visit isn’t all-encompassing but it gives a taste of what you’re in for. saying that is open or liberal or preppy or laid back or academic or intense or crazy really doesn’t mean anything until you experience it for yourself. when everyone first told me that smith was “intense,” i had NO idea what they were talking about…until i got there. =]</p>

<p>WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE/LEAST FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT SMITH?
favorites: overwhelming majority of my professors & classes, gorgeous campus, julia child day =], big sib/lil sib, houses, the friends i’ve made who will be in my life fifty years from now, free lectures (and occasional free food that goes along with them), and intellectual curiosity
not so awesome: weather, location, red tape and various members of the smith community</p>

<p>WHAT WAS THE MOST USEFUL THING YOU LEARNED AT SMITH?
ditto with stacy. learn as much as you can. also, don’t let the stress get to you, or at least, try your best not to let it get to you. and, most definitely, GET OFF CAMPUS once in a while if you get cabin fever; it takes some effort but it will make a huge difference.</p>

<p>WHAT DID YOU MAJOR IN?
i would rather not say, although you can message me. i will say that i am not a math/science person. =]</p>

<p>WHAT DID YOU DO OUTSIDE OF CLASS?
homework, reading (unfortunately no fun reading until post-grad!), work-study, babysitting, dunkin donuts runs at 2 a.m., movie-watching, community service, and having the, err, occasional tequila sunrise with my favorite ladies…</p>

<p>DO YOU HAVE ANY USEFUL TIPS FOR PROSPIES?
(1) do what you want to do. if what makes you happy is studying, researching, writing papers, then by all means do that! if you want to party and have a good time out, then indulge! perhaps you like a balance. work during the weekdays, party on the weekends! you get the point. i have friends here who admittedly went against their nature and tried to do things that wasn’t necessarily for them. though short in the long run, four years is still too long of a time to waste doing things you don’t want to do.
(2) friends will not come to you. you need to go to them. that is very important and applies to ALL college students, not just smithies. though most are welcoming, smith, like any college campus, is not necessarily an environment where your friends will come to you (unless, perhaps, you have the charisma of a female james bond). join a club or a capella or a community service program, whatever will fulfill your social needs!</p>

<p>selena</p>