Smith College Top Questions

The lack of a core curriculum, except for a writing intensive, really influenced my decision to come to Smith. Since things were not required, I found myself taking random classes for fun such as Natural Disasters and How the Internet Works. I also like the first-year seminars, especially the one I took, Re-enacting the Past. I also love my department. The American Studies department is top notch with excellent faculty, diverse class offerings and lively class discussions.

Classes are rigorous and very intense!

Smith's academics is an infinite life resource for each of it's students. Not only is the classroom comfortable, friendly, stimulating, and engaging but proffessors are extremely approachable and accommodating for help outside of the classroom. The education does not stop their however, some of the best conversations of my life have happened outside of the class room. Not only do I have competent, interesting, amazing women to share in my excitements all around me but have the opportunity to make them life long friends that will constantly make me become a better person.

What is the typical academic effort at Smith is not typical anywhere else. Smithies take their papers, exams, and labs extremely seriously and dedicatedly put in the time necessary to do their best work. Everyone holds themselves to the highest standards, without needing competition to keep them striving for the top (though some of that helps!). Professors know that they are dealing with a super-smart group of women and they hold their students in the highest respect. If you want to do a special studies or design your own major, they are behind you, giving all of their time and energy to support your project. They are readily available for emails, coffee, and lunch not to mention office hours, and will sit chatting with you for hours.

A Smith education is great, but it's not for everyone. In general, the classes are small and the professors are accessible and helpful. As a physics/architecture major, I have been very well supported. THe physics department is small and personal--all they want is for you to succeed.

Smith academics are challenging for me. But if I want or need help I always know where to find it and its offered even when I dont ask. Professors go out of there way to meet with students when it is necessary and strongly encourage it. Class participation is common and some students are competitive and very opinionated

I love the possibility to get to know your professors on an personal level. Not everyone does. But I think there is a possibility. And I like that the professors that I did connect with seem so invested with my success at Smith and beyond.

The professors are 90{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} awesome.

Even if you're quiet, professors do know your name (depending on which classes you take). There are some amazing professors, if you look hard enough, that will make you leave a class saying to yourself, "Wow, I've actually taken something away from this class." Others are useless, boring, and disorganized. But if you look hard enough, you can take amazing classes. Students are hard workers but maybe not openly competitive. The only time their is really animosity in the classroom is when they pick out outspoken girls-- "That Girl." Granted, these girls usually are really annoying because they steer the class off course! No matter what, the professors are usually very accommodating to meet with you. They all hold office hours and all go out of their way to make extra appointments if possible. Smith has no requirements except for one writing intensive course, so there's a lot of freedom.

Smith has mostly small classes where the professors learn everyone's names and participation is strongly encouraged or required. The classes are tough and involve a lot of work outside of the classroom, but they are also very good and you will learn a lot. First year seminars are very unique, including one that I took called Lions: Science and Science Fiction. I'm a biochemistry major, so I've mixed and matched with lots of sciences and really like the science departments here.