<p>[there must realize that they get in because they fit a particular admissions profile. Obviously, for some reason, my daughter did not}</p>
<p>Not necessarily. She was only deferred. She has a great deal to be very proud of.</p>
<p>[Smith clearly is her "other #1" and applying early makes sense to us! ]</p>
<p>Youve made your case. Im sorry I said anything. I worked (avocation) with many seniors helping with college decisions. I have a tendency to worry about kids more than I probably should.
The Stride is the same issue. TheDads daughter has a Stride scholarship and, again, he has stated numerous times they use the Stride to entice students who would otherwise choose an Ivy, etc.
Merit money is used at most colleges for the same reason. My daughter was offered large merit awards at other colleges further down the pecking order in an effort to sway her (our) decision.
I know for a fact she wouldnt have had the same offers had she applied ED. But I cant speak for Smith. </p>
<p>Fwiw- My daughter chose Smith because of the sciences. The house system and the fact the chefs cook her, and anyone that asks, special meals, plus and the ability to eat breakfast in her Pjs in her own house didnt hurt either. :)</p>
<p>According to all the Amherst information I have read (and that's alot), anyone who applies ED and does not get accepted, is deferred. They don't turn anyone down if they apply ED. However, being deferred at Amherst is pretty close to being rejected, as they take very few students after the deferral. At least this is what I have read. We realize that applying to Smith ED II could reduce our daughter's chances for a stride, but we're hopeful that it won't. She really is a wonderful science student, and we're confident that will come out strong during her interviews this weekend. Believe me, Amherst has already been put behind us all, and Smith is on the horizon. What a beautiful place to be able to send our daughter, and what a great opportunity it will be for her if she gets in!</p>
<p>Mine chose Smith (over Williams, which offered about the same in money) because: the STRIDE position, specifically tailored to her (she's a music composition major, and had her position attached to the 5-College Opera Consortium); stronger music in the five colleges; much better language departments (currently an Italian double major); more and better study abroad opportunities (80% of Smithies go abroad; over 55% JYA; and they already supported her travels to Cambodia, Thailand, and India); oh, and the town (I was actually surprised how much difference that made for her, both in her thinking and in actual practice - she is heavily involved in the Friends Meeting in town, and has gotten herself appointed to a national committee that meets in Maryland - transportation would have been virtually impossible from some of the places she applied.)</p>
<p>You are all making our decision much easier, and we are comforted to know that our daughter (hopefully) will be attending such a great school, with your great kids! I just hope that she gets to meet your daughters when, and if, she gets in.</p>
<p>I am so impressed with the alumni (ae,a) <em>LOL</em> (I never know how to write that) association as well. They literally never lose touch with Smithies from all over the world. What a wonderful network! And the house system is the best; very impressive indeed. Speaking of houses, are some only designated for freshman or are all four years represented in each house? Also, are there house that are "better" than others? (view, food, etc)</p>
<p>LOL-- that has been discussed before. As TheDad has noted, technically Smith has male graduates (alumni) The alumae publication is call the Smith Alumnae Quarterly</p>
<p>A woman is an alumna and a man is an alumnus. Alumni refers to two or more males; alumnae is the plural for women. Most colleges refer to both male and female graduates as alumni when using the plural form, but it's wrong When in doubt, just take the easy road and call them "alums." :) </p>
<p>All the houses have 1st years, as theyre referred to at Smith. The men in freshmen isnt PC at Smith. It makes perfect sense, but get used to little idiosyncrasies like that.
Some of the houses no longer have their own dining rooms, and all have a different feel and type of student. There isnt a better house over another. Its more of a matter of where the student fits the best, feels the most comfortable, or requires certain food. Some houses have Asian food, Kosher etc. The quad houses have more of the extrovert type, have the best parties (not that that should be a prerequisite for choosing a house) but is further from the main campus. I realize the aforementioned are generalizations but thats exactly how it was explained to my daughter by students during her visit and it has proven to be more or less true. When youre visiting have a conversation with a student in the quad and Im sure youll get a much better explanation of the differences between all the houses. Your daughter can also do an overnight which would give her a great feel for the house situation.
When she enrolls theres lengthy housing form where she will be asked numerous questions regarding her likes and dislikes. A computer will dictate where to place your daughter. Shell be asked her 1st, 2nd choice etc., so she has a say in which house she is assigned. Although the computer does the initial placement, Kassey the housing assistant, has been known to put a /human/ touch on the decision and override the computer pick if she feels the student would better served with a different roommate, etc.</p>
<p>LOL-- that has been discussed before. As TheDad has noted, technically Smith has male graduates (alumni) The alum publication is called the Smith Alumnae Quarterly</p>
<p>A woman is an alumna and a man is an alumnus. Alumni refers to two or more males; alumnae is the plural for women. Most colleges refer to both male and female graduates as alumni when using the plural form, but it's wrong When in doubt, just take the easy road and call them "alums." :) </p>
<p>All the houses have 1st years, as theyre referred to at Smith. The men in freshmen isnt PC at Smith. It makes perfect sense, but get used to little idiosyncrasies like that.
Some of the houses no longer have their own dining rooms, and all have a different /feel/ and type of student. There isnt a better house over another. Its more of a matter of where the student fits the best, feels the most comfortable, or requires certain food. Some houses have Asian food, Kosher etc. The quad houses have more of the extrovert type, have the best parties (not that that should be a prerequisite for choosing a house ; but is further from the main campus. I realize the aforementioned are generalizations, but thats exactly how it was explained to my daughter by students during her visit and it has proven to be more or less true. When youre visiting have a conversation with a student in the quad and Im sure youll get a much better explanation of the differences between all the houses. Your daughter can also do an overnight which would give her a great feel for the house situation.
When she enrolls theres lengthy housing form where she will be asked numerous questions regarding her likes and dislikes, favorite music, etc., etc., A computer will dictate where to place your daughter. Shell be asked her 1st, 2nd choice etc., so she has a say in which house she is assigned. Although the computer does the initial placement, Kassey the housing assistant, has been known to put a /human/ touch on the decision and override the computer pick if she feels the student would better served with a different roommate, etc.</p>
<p>Thanks for clearing up the alum thing (see, I do read well). Curious as to why some houses no longer offer dining options? Also, my daughter is no hothouse flower, but not into large parties either. Seems much more comfortable hanging with friends, going out to eat, catching a show, dancing, etc. Maybe the quad might not be a great fit. Ultimately, that's her decision.</p>
<p>Some houses dont have dining rooms anymore to save money. The small houses didnt have many students and it was expensive to have a full staff to serve so few.</p>
<p>[but not into large parties either.]</p>
<p>LOL--Sorry, I should have been clearer. The parties I was speaking of were the parties the houses are <em>required</em> to have each semester. The quad parties have always been known for being a tad bit better than others. Students come from all over to attend. </p>
<p>[Seems much more comfortable hanging with friends, going out to eat, catching a show, dancing, etc.]</p>
<p>Thats exactly what my daughter does. She also doesnt drink but has no problem enjoying herself at the house parties or visiting Amherst College or Umass where students tend to drink more. She has friends from high school attending Amherst College and Mt Holyoke and enjoys visiting the other colleges. If you have a reason to be on another campus ( she volunteers near Mt Holyoke) you can use your meal card at that college. Neat system</p>