<p>This might be a unique conundrum or it may not be, but I searched this forum and didn't find anything similar. I am a Mount Holyoke sophomore. However, I feel like MHC may not have been the best choice. I'm starting to seriously think about applying to Smith for spring admission. A few components of my choice: the more lively feel of Northampton, the closeness of the house system, a more spirited community and a marginally larger student body.</p>
<p>However, I'm just not sure if they're similar enough that I shouldn't bother applying to Smith. This is where I'd like to ask for a bit of help. Seeing as most posters here are Smith students, parents or alums, I was wondering if I could have some input from those who know: would it be worth switching? In other words, what does Smith have that makes it exceptional and possibly have an edge on MHC (without trashing MHC or saying it's a horrible school, because I know it's not)? I do know Smith has a bit more prestige but that's not what's important to me; I'm looking for the optimal college experience.</p>
<p>Oh, and for what it's worth, I am truly an undecided major probably leaning towards some kind of political work, but a helpful career center and an involved advisor are both pretty much musts. </p>
<p>Any feedback at ALL would be appreciated to the max. I'm incredibly confused right now and even the slightest iota of guidance would be welcomed.</p>
<p>I think it’s hard to say (helpful answer, I know). Switching as a sophomore is always a little tricky, switching during the spring trickier still. Are you willing to forgo study abroad or Semester in Washington programs? By the time you transfer you may have missed the deadlines or not have time to prepare an application. Have you taken classes at Smith and/or do you have any friends there already? If you’re just looking at it from the outside, I would just worry that you might have a “grass is greener” feeling when you arrive, whereas if you’ve spent a significant amount of time on campus and with Smithies, you may have a better idea of what you’re in for. </p>
<p>I’m surprised you would cite the closeness of the house system as a factor, as I always kind of assumed that MHC had a pretty solid housing system as well? You should understand that as a spring transfer, you may not be placed into one of the very small historic houses, but may instead get Cutter or Chase or one of the Quad houses. Would you still be comfortable there? </p>
<p>I’m not trying to discourage you. I do think Smith is in a livelier town than MHC with more going on off campus. I also think it’s a little bit more of a hub for Five College students than MHC, so if mixing with other students from the other campuses more appeals to you, it’s a good fit. I don’t know if the students are necessarily more spirited, I didn’t spend a lot of time at MHC when I was at Smith so I don’t have a good sense for the campus and it’s feel. But I think it’s a difficult decision to make, and you should just make sure you’re asking yourself lots of questions. You may also want to wait a few weeks before deciding, sometimes at the start of the year things seem dicey, but as you go along, it settles down and you find your rhythm and you end up happier than you expected.</p>
<p>Star: When I see that you write about the “closeness of the [Smith] house system”, I wonder if your problems at MHC arise from your social situation there. Are you looking for the Smith housing system as a solution to help you make friends, and obtain a better roommate? From personal experience and those of my D at MHC, I know that having a few good friends and a good roommate can make all the difference in college life. If your social life is not good, NO college will be the right fit (whether it’s in a metropolis or on a cornfield or somewhere in between). I see girls at the Wellesley ■■■ website complain constantly about roommates, lack of friends, lost friends, etc., and also wondering if that’s the right place for them. It’s the same everywhere. I suggest that you join some groups and/or volunteer, you will meet more people and your time will be more fun. You will spend less time making yourself crazy. As to academic advisors, at any LAC the advisors are willing to help you as much as you want their help and ask for their help. Profs have office hours. GO TO THEM and get to know a prof in a field of interest to you. That prof can become your advisor. Until you decide what’s of interest to you, it’s difficult for ANYone to advise you. Maybe you should spend a few hours reading the course catalog (get a paper copy) and see what courses interest you for next term(s). Branch out. Try some new things, that’s what a LAC is for. Maybe take a course next semester at one of the other 4 colleges. Start thinking now about maybe taking a course somewhere, or doing an internship, over the summer in a field of interest to you. There ARE summer study abroad programs, credit and non. Go check out the study abroad office or check its website. It’s normal for a college student to be confused. I changed my major 2nd term Junior year (and am now doing nothing like either major). My soph D at MHC seems to change her life-long plans and course plans about 2x per week.</p>
<p>My advice would be to wait and try and take a class at Smith in the Spring (I know the commute can be hard)but it would give you a better sense of the campus and a chance to talk and get to know some people there. I’m wondering why Smith of all alternatives since it is close in structure and location? If another Women’s college why not Wellesley or Bryn Mahr or a coed school - all those seem like they would provide more of a change.</p>
<p>I like Overwhelmedma’s suggestion since it would allow you to get a better feel of the campus. Although most people on this forum are ardent Smith supporters, we also respect MHC and its strengths.</p>
<p>If you were applying as a first year to both schools, I could understand from your post why you would lean toward Smith; however, transferring is a different matter, with its own set of issues. If you had an academic interest that was stronger at Smith or if you were hanging out at Smith more than MHC (or wished it were easier to be there) or if you pined for the bustle of large town without leaving New England, then I’d recommend transferring. Otherwise, you’ll be leaving a fine college with its own strong spirit for one where you cannot predict how you’ll fit in. You might transfer to Smith and love every minute there, or you might find that it has the same issues you encountered at MHC. Taking a course at Smith and hanging out on the campus will give you a better idea of whether a move will likely be right for you.</p>
<p>I’m worried that you have an idealized view of what it’s like to be a Smith student. If this were an issue of academics or maintaining a social life with friends already at Smith, I’d tell you without hesitation to go for it. I’m just not sure that your stated reasons are enough to warrant such a change.</p>
<p>If you are receiving great FA from MHC, you might want to consider that you may not fare so well at Smith…sometimes transfer students don’t get the best offers, even at “meet need” schools…Just something else to consider and look into.</p>
<p>Despite your perceived differences, social and academic life at MHC vs. Smith are not all that different. To outsiders, the educational experiences at MHC, Wellesley, Smith, and Bryn Mawr are all fairly interchangeable. On the other hand, even to those who are familiar with them, most will agree that although there certainly are distinctions between these schools there are not overwhelmingly major differences. I also think that it is unlikely Smith will take a transfer student from MHC or vice versa since they do not want to appear to “poach” each others’ students. I think you would need to make a compelling academic reason-a unique major, honors thesis with a particular professor or an extra-curricular reason: an activity unavailable at MHC or an activity you are already involved in that is Smith-based to justify your transfer. Since Smith is so close to MHC, you also may want to consider making an appointment with the Smith admissions office to discuss candidly your chances as an applicant.</p>
<p>I respectfully disagree with pmyen, I don’t think coming from MHC is a detriment at all to your transfer application. i’ve never heard Smith admissions officials being concerned about “poaching” a student from MHC. An applicant is an applicant, the origin of their application does not really factor into it. In any application for any transfer student you would need to explain why you want to go to Smith instead of staying where you are, but being at MHC doesn’t add additional burden to that.</p>
<p>Perhaps it’s just a “grass is greener” kind of feeling? The “sophomore slump”? As a student at MHC I went through a phase the second semester of my first year when I thought about transferring to Smith as well. I decided to just think about it and stay at MHC and I’m glad I did because I liked the fact that my “home” was MHC but could still take advantage of all the opportunities at Smith whenever I wanted to through the 5-college system. I think Noho would have distracted me too much on a regular basis had I transferred, whereas it was just a fun place to go to every once in awhile instead of having it there all the time. </p>
<p>My roomate at MHC transferred to Barnard for what she thought were all the right reasons…she ended up wishing she hadn’t transferred and then transferred back to MHC after a semester. Of course, if you do transfer to Smith, you’d still be able to visit MHC whenever you want! Do consider how far along you are in your studies and whether you want to do a semester or a year abroad as transferring might require you to take extra classes and may prevent you from taking that time off. Best of luck either way!</p>
<p>Isn’t Smith on the 12 college exchange? Would you consider going there for a semester or a year…and then seeing if it makes sense to change? If your gut is right, and you like it better than MHC…you might be able to transfer. If you don’t like it as well…you can return to MHC.</p>