Smith College Top Questions

For finding the right college... Are you conservative? Liberal? Try to match a college to your political beliefs, or be prepared to defend them. What type of weather do you like? Do you mind the cold? Once you decide upon a college and go, do as much as you can when you get to college. Go to tons of clubs, participate in various activities around campus... Just get involved. You can drop down to a few events after you've tried lots of things out.

You may never know what the "right" college is so go with whatever takes you outside of your comfort zone and challenges you to be the most amazing person you can.

Choose carefully and visit the campus before you make your final decision. Smith is an amazing College, but not located in a large urban center. It is academically rigorous and has a very vocal gay/lesbian community. It is very liberal and you might feel out of place at first if you have more conservative/republican leaning , however there is defintiely an active republican contingent at Smith and you will feel welcomed by them as well . All in all, it has a small, friendly albeit competitive atmosphere with amazing women goading, pushing and challenging you to do your very best. Good luck!

1. If you are burned out from high school (after being valedictorian and president of everything) I know I was---TAKE TIME OFF. explore, volunteer, you'll be better equipped to understand and experience college 2. If you are a woman, consider all-women's colleges (especially the 7-Sisters). Cornell, Harvard etc. might sound great but I think it was priceless for me to have four years to myself in a healthy, supportive (still competitive), non-judgemental, progressive, inspiring space to make real true friendships and to become the person I am today . GO TO SMITH COLLEGE! Now that I am in graduate school at University of Pennsylvania, I appreciate that experience so much more, and know that it has shaped me into a better, me.

Don't let others dictate what college you would like, and certainly don't choose a school just for its name. Figure out what type of person you are, and where you feel most comfortable and go for it.

Choose a college that will challenge you to think new ways. If you pick a school that has little diversity of opinion on campus, then constructive conversation about differing points of view is hard to find. If you pick a campus with diversity of people and opinion, then we can move together as a society to help understand one another. Respectful conversation between students is a must. Join the clubs on your campus?at least one! Usually, clubs and societies are an instant network of friends, and also something spectacular to put on your resume once you start looking for jobs upon graduation. If you hold a leadership position in your club, not only will it give you experience in supervision, but also it is an experience from which you can draw during job interviews. Because four-year degrees are more accessible than in our parents? age, it?s crucial that you have an idea of where you want to go after college. Use your university as a tool to make yourself look the best to possible employers by utilizing the programs your campus has to offer. The job market is hard to enter with only your degree?trust me!!

Look at the school before you decide. visiting is the best way to get a feel for how you'll fit in and feel living there.

Make sure you feel right about the place. You'll be there for four (or more) years, and there's nothing worse than being stuck somewhere that you don't want to be. Being comfortable in a place can make your experiences there 100x more worthwhile than being at a world class college that you feel uncomfortable at. When it comes to making this choice, trust your instincts, and don't let anyone talk you out of it, if you feel uncomfortable someplace. Good luck!

Students should look for a school that fits well with their personality and academic aand social interests. Parents should allow their children to explore all options.

Research the range of academic and extracurricular offerings on campus, as well as various aspects of daily life. Talk to as many current students and alums as you can. Above all, be open-minded!