火爆社区

Smith College is 鈥渁n incredibly prestigious...and socially liberal鈥� institution that places a premium on 鈥渁cademic freedom.鈥� Students here are encouraged to explore, 鈥渇ind and pursue [their] passions.鈥� To that end, there are no course requirements beyond a writing-intensive for first-years (and your major credits). This sense of autonomy even extends to the 鈥渟elf-scheduled finals鈥� that allow students to take exam week at their own pace. Undergraduates are also quick to note that Smith is 鈥渙ne of the most prominent women鈥檚 colleges in the country.鈥� They applaud the school鈥檚 efforts in 鈥渂uild[ing] the self confidence of smart women鈥� and note that 鈥渕ost classes, even in math and sciences, are very interdisciplinary and often have a feminist鈥� slant. Additionally, students heap praise on their 鈥渋nspiring, dynamic, accessible, and brilliant鈥� professors. It鈥檚 evident that Smith鈥檚 faculty really 鈥渃are deeply about students鈥� and 鈥渢ake the time to get to know you on a first-name basis.鈥� They also excel at fostering 鈥渆ngaging [classes that] promote critical thought.鈥� Of course, learning goes on far beyond the college鈥檚 hallowed academic halls. Smith maintains a 鈥渨onderful study abroad department鈥� where students can choose from over 100 different programs on six continents. Students also benefit from the ability to 鈥渢ake classes at the other four schools nearby (UMass Amherst, Amherst College, Hampshire College, and Mount Holyoke College)鈥� through the Five College Consortium. Perhaps most importantly, as graduation nears, undergrads can rely on an 鈥渆xcellent alumnae network鈥� as well as a Career Development Office that does 鈥渆verything in its power to help you get a job.鈥�

Undergrads at Smith don鈥檛 deny that they prioritize their academics. Students arrive here ready to 鈥渟tudy hard.鈥� And many admit that they鈥檝e been known to get 鈥渞idiculously stressed鈥� about their courses from time to time. As one student explains, 鈥淚t鈥檚 the nature of Smithies to be driven, but we all want to see our friends and housemates succeed as well.鈥� Of course, this go-getter attitude extends far beyond classwork; students 鈥渁re passionate about everything they do.鈥� Undergrads also applaud the college鈥檚 ability to attract a diverse student body, both in background and personality. At Smith, you鈥檒l find 鈥渁 great mix of nerdy, edgy, and traditional鈥� students with approximately one-third of undergrads identifying as a person of color and 67 different nationalities represented on campus. Students eagerly embrace this diversity noting that there鈥檚 a 鈥渟trong sense of community鈥� and everyone 鈥渇its in easily.鈥� Additionally, 鈥渙ne thing all students have in common here is the will for women鈥檚 empowerment and acceptance of any gender or sexual preference.鈥� Finally, while you can find students across the political spectrum, most Smithies hold 鈥渧ery liberal views,鈥� and many are 鈥渧ery conscious and aware, not only of their community but the world in general.鈥�

It鈥檚 easy to understand why Smith students declare that their 鈥渜uality of life is outstanding.鈥� After all, the college鈥檚 鈥渄orms are...beautiful houses鈥� and the dining halls are a cut above, serving up delectable dishes like custard French toast and spicy chorizo shakshuka. Of course, there鈥檚 far more to the Smith experience than this. Academics take precedence here and Smithies 鈥渟trive to succeed in [their] classes.鈥� This means that they spend a lot of time 鈥渟tudy[ing], writing papers, rehearsing, or practicing,鈥� along with attending various 鈥渓ectures and symposiums.鈥� Outside of coursework, many of these idealistic students are involved with 鈥渃ommunity service and activism for global issues, women鈥檚 rights, LGBTQ rights, the environment, and pretty much anything that fights oppression.鈥� When they need a break from studying, undergrads can enjoy 鈥渇ree movies and concerts, plays, speakers, sports events, and dances,鈥� 鈥�and can register small house parties or attend 鈥渙ther college parties at surrounding campuses.鈥� They can also look forward to school traditions like Mountain Day, when the college president randomly cancels classes on a beautiful fall day.

Hands down, 鈥淪mith provides so many opportunities for [undergrads]!鈥� Indeed, from 鈥渙n-campus resources to internship and job opportunities鈥擲mith gives students the means to thrive in the world.鈥� To begin with, it鈥檚 definitely not uncommon for professors to 鈥淸go] out of their way to help [students] find contacts and resources for jobs.鈥� What鈥檚 more, according to a grateful American studies major, 鈥淭he (Lazarus Center for Career Development) will do everything in its power to help you get a job/internship.鈥� With its myriad of workshops鈥擧ow to Ace Your In-Person or Virtual Interview or Excel Fundamentals for Liberal Arts, for example鈥擲mith students can confidently enter the job market and strategically search for jobs at the college鈥檚 career fairs. The center lays out six Professional Pathways for those without a firm sense of what they want to do as a career or those searching for career options within a major. Each Pathway groups adjacent interest areas and industries, and helps students assemble a Life Design Team of advisers, staff, and peers that can act as a career support network. Payscale.com reports that Smith College graduates can expect to make a median starting salary of $63,200, and 55 percent of graduates reported finding a great deal of meaning in their job.