Smith is what you make it. There are all sorts of opportunities to be artsy, athletic, musical, outdoorsy, and whatever else suits you, without losing the opportunity to focus on academics. With such a variety of people and programs, everyone can find their niche here.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
What tipped the scale for me was something as simple as spending time around students and seeing how they interact. My one big tip is to visit. If it's not for you, you'll know.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
Depends on department, but you'll definitely encounter some tough classes during your time here.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
The house system provides such a great sense of community, which was a huge factor for me in finally choosing Smith. Right off the bat, you have a network and a support group. People usually go their separate ways once they join clubs and sports teams, but it's nice to have that starting out.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
People give it a lot of flak, but it's really not all that bad. There are lots of options, but each option is at a different dining hall. There are perks to the decentralized style of dining, like intimacy of spaces and guaranteed proximity to food, but the hours aren't great and the quality is not always top-notch. Overall, though, they take pretty good care of us here.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
There's always something going on on weekends, but it's a pretty small school. If what's on campus doesn't suit your tastes, the nearby five colleges (Mt. Holyoke, Hampshire, Amherst, and UMass-Amherst) provide what entertainment Smith can't. They're accessible by a relatively easy bus ride. All of the student productions I've been to have been really well-done, and they're all free for Smith students, which is great. There are always things happening in Northampton (there are a couple popular music venues just down the road) and downtown Amherst.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Smith is expensive. But, with such a giant endowment, almost everyone receives some type of financial aid. Our work-study program is huge, and I think I only know two people who aren't on scholarship (although it's not really my go-to topic of conversation). The quality of education is excellent and the connections you get from going here are extensive. Smith isn't a huge school, but alumnae are always willing to lend a fellow Smith person a hand.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Mountain Day is my personal favorite. One day in the fall, the president calls off class and everyone has the day to spend enjoying the natural side of western Mass. The night before the first day of finals is the Primal Scream which helps students vent all their frustrations. Students and alums are referred to as Smithies, a tradition that I can't say I'm personally all that fond of, but it's nice to have a shortcut when I need it.
Smith is what you make it. There are all sorts of opportunities to be artsy, athletic, musical, outdoorsy, and whatever else suits you, without losing the opportunity to focus on academics. With such a variety of people and programs, everyone can find their niche here.
What tipped the scale for me was something as simple as spending time around students and seeing how they interact. My one big tip is to visit. If it's not for you, you'll know.
Depends on department, but you'll definitely encounter some tough classes during your time here.
The house system provides such a great sense of community, which was a huge factor for me in finally choosing Smith. Right off the bat, you have a network and a support group. People usually go their separate ways once they join clubs and sports teams, but it's nice to have that starting out.
People give it a lot of flak, but it's really not all that bad. There are lots of options, but each option is at a different dining hall. There are perks to the decentralized style of dining, like intimacy of spaces and guaranteed proximity to food, but the hours aren't great and the quality is not always top-notch. Overall, though, they take pretty good care of us here.
There's always something going on on weekends, but it's a pretty small school. If what's on campus doesn't suit your tastes, the nearby five colleges (Mt. Holyoke, Hampshire, Amherst, and UMass-Amherst) provide what entertainment Smith can't. They're accessible by a relatively easy bus ride. All of the student productions I've been to have been really well-done, and they're all free for Smith students, which is great. There are always things happening in Northampton (there are a couple popular music venues just down the road) and downtown Amherst.
Smith is expensive. But, with such a giant endowment, almost everyone receives some type of financial aid. Our work-study program is huge, and I think I only know two people who aren't on scholarship (although it's not really my go-to topic of conversation). The quality of education is excellent and the connections you get from going here are extensive. Smith isn't a huge school, but alumnae are always willing to lend a fellow Smith person a hand.
Mountain Day is my personal favorite. One day in the fall, the president calls off class and everyone has the day to spend enjoying the natural side of western Mass. The night before the first day of finals is the Primal Scream which helps students vent all their frustrations. Students and alums are referred to as Smithies, a tradition that I can't say I'm personally all that fond of, but it's nice to have a shortcut when I need it.