@PlasticNebula, I don’t mean to discount the suggestions, I just want to know if it’s realistic to apply to such schools considering my low standardized test scores. My grades, now reflecting midterm scores, are in the 96-99% range. I am wondering if these grades (if maintained) could help counteract the relatively low scores. I fear that most students applying to the top liberal arts colleges as transfers will also have 3.8s-4.0s.
“I don’t feel as if I can truly express myself here. The liberal rhetoric that governs most social and academic interactions is counterproductive and limits discourse. I understand the aim, but it doesn’t seem to be used for social progress, but instead for elevating social standing and silencing anyone who holds a different viewpoint.”
This so resonated with me that I am compelled to comment. I’m as “progressive/liberal” as they come, but I believe you’ve articulated a serious problem that spans most, if not all, liberal arts colleges in America. I can see why you feel trapped but you’re going to find this same culture practically everywhere you go. My advice, for what it’s worth, tough it out. Do a year abroad or at another of the affiliated colleges (as someone else here suggested).
Look, your undergraduate years will fly by and you’ll be out on your own before you know it. And, believe it or not, a degree from Smith does carry weight, especially at the entry-level position. You’ll also be a part of a professional network, small but fiercely loyal, that cannot favor men. Ten years from now, this will be a distant memory, 20 years, and you won’t even put your degree on your resume.
Be patient. College students mature at different rates and many of them will catch up with you. Look for your kindred spirits. Trust me, they’re there at Smith. You will probably make some life-long friends without whom, down the road, you couldn’t imagine the world. Most important, Smith needs your voice. Speak out, dissent, and don’t let that rhetoric intimidate you!
I’m not sure you’re likely to avoid the issue of “liberal rhetoric,” especially if you transfer to a comparably elite institution.
I’ve just transferred to Smith from a large, public commuter university and it doesn’t feel much more present here than it did there. (Disclaimer: There is a some selection bias; I mostly hung around self-identified feminists and progressive activists.) Maybe there is more of a tendency here for students to ostracize and bully others for dissenting, though.
More to the point of your thread, you’re not precluded from successfully transferring to a top 10 LAC because you lack merit; you could be a model student in all regards and still have a rather slim chance of getting into any of them because they accept so few transfers. If you have a compelling reason for wanting to transfer, alongside reasonably strong scores and a high GPA, I imagine your application will be taken seriously at most institutions. I’ve always been told that your GPA and the strength of your statement for transferring are weighted the heaviest, but certainly it varies and there are a lot of factors taken into consideration.
I second most of the suggestions already made (Tufts, College of William and Mary), along with Cornell if it hasn’t been mentioned.
(Not to be creepy, but if you need another Smithie to talk to about this, send me a PM. I’ve already successfully endured the transferring process and would be more than happy to direct you to the resources I found most helpful.)
Mu Daughter felt the same at Mount Holyoke her first semester. She’s a Junior now and LOVES mhc. Generally the big mouth “Im so smart with my heavy handed opinion” girls tend to mellow out after winter. Trust me, there are many girls like you, you just don’t see them yet. Try to register for a class at Amherst. My daughter has taken Classes in the classics and socilogy department at Amherst and Out Door Rec classes at Hampshire–very fun and good for the soul to be outside laughing getting exerise. Also start looking into the study abroad options. My daughter has friend who’s enrolled in “tale of two cities” Fall at Columbia NYC and spring in Paris. MHC fin aid covers the program so no extra costs. I bet Smith has similar options.
Does Smith offer the ability to “study away” at US universities? I know MCH has a program which allows MHC students to attend Dartmouth for one or two semesters. Smith is very highly regarded. I would argue that the educational and involvement opportunities offered at any of the remaining seven sisters are on par with the top 10 LACS and probably superior to IVY programs with 200 kids siting in lectures and competing for professors’ attention.
BTW, I was not aware that Smith granted Merit Aid. Perhaps I am wrong.
http://www.smith.edu/sfs/aid_merit.php
STRIDE Scholarships:
^^ ^^
Very misleading. About 250 scholarships are awarded but only~ 50 accept.
Sophian article:
Have you considered Barnard? There you will have the benefits of a LAC/women’s college plus a major research university right across the street. Barnard is also very liberal but as it is part of a very large university, you aren’t as likely to feel it as acutely. The problem with most other LACs as they are more isolated or, as you said, require you to take a bus. Another option is to consider a small specialised college within a major, Ivy-calibre state university, like the Residential College at University of Michigan.