Smith College Top Questions

So, I'm taking this classical mythology class, and even though there's about seventy students, it's actually my favorite course. Anyway, I've never really talked to my professor (who's a fantastic lecturer), but yesterday when I came into class, he handed me some notes and called me by my name! To have a teacher that pays that much attention toward each individual is one of the reasons I chose to go to Smith!

Professors actually care about their students. They follow up (most of the time) on any communication/conversations and don't treat you like an inferior being (most of the time.)

I love the academics at Smith because it's one of those aspects of Smith that can be a great resource depending on ho much you want it. Every class here is helpful whether it's hard or not hard because the information that is taught is generally very interesting and the teachers are really passionate about teaching it. My favorite class by far was AMS 230: Narratives of Internment. We were just talking about the stories of the Japanese internees in California when someone brought up the idea that it'd be really cool to go on a pilgrimage to where they were interned. I didn't think that this idea would actually turn into reality where our wonderful teacher, Floyd Cheung, actually found enough funds to provide all of his students in the class an opportunity to fly to California and visit the pilgrimage site where so much history that we studied there happened. We prepared for the visit by reading lots of personal stories about internees and about the history of it from the government's point of view. The trip completed our classroom teachings by bringing everything together. It was by far the best class ever because 1) the teacher didn't treat us like we were below him and valued our opinion as much as any other person, 2) he wanted to make our education about this class the best that it could be and went well beyond what was expected to provide us with the amazing opportunity to take the pilgrimage trip. The class is not one that most people would have picked because it is popular, but beacuse they were curious. This curiosity and the ability to act on it and take the class turned into one of the best experiences of my life.

It is a liberal arts college and for the price that it is (although, to be fair, Smith gives EXCELLENT financial aid) it does make you question the reasoning behind spending so much money to simply explore one's interests. I have had trouble identifying the pros and cons of coming here. It is a great school and I am so grateful to be here, but for the cost it is and the worry it causes me, I can't help but question the practicality in taking something like the money it costs to come to Smith for two years, getting certified in a real trade, and joining the work force. It becomes a matter of trusting that you can do something great and that it is worth every penny to find yourself in an environment that encourages you to explore and learn all you can.

i'm an art history major. i generally don't like art history classes, though, so that kind of blows. i feel like everyone in them is pretty damn pretentious and sucks up way too hard to the professor. i do love art history though, and the museum is another one of the great things about smith. i'm from new york, and i'm used to the metropolitan museum of art (aka the met) being my second home, so smith's museum provides a nice comfort. depending on the size of your class, professors will know your name. if it's a big lecture class, then don't count out on it -- then again, this can also be pretty nice, because then it's easier to skip that class and go unnoticed, which is good for when you're really stressed and think you could use your time more productively than listening to patrick coby going on about plato. but smaller classes are of course, nice to have too. i really like getting to know the professors outside of class, and or just saying hi and having them say hi back around campus. it's always good to have a faculty tie, especially if you don't like your advisor that much. in terms of hard or easy, classes vary, but they're not impossible.

I love my major and my advisor. I always feel welcome to discuss things both serious and fun with him, and I'm always treated like an equal. Classes can vary, depending on how engaged students are with the material, but generally everyone speaks their mind very loudly and aren't afraid to disagree with one another.

Academics at Smith are great. Rigorous but engaging and worthwhile. Smith has no core requirements, so all students are completely free to take exactly what interests them, which makes classes even better, since everyone wants to be there. The professors (for the most part) are amazing. Every professor I've had has known my name, and they all make themselves very available for extra help outside of class. They are truly interested in each of their students' growth and success and in promoting that growth/success in any way possible. Professors and students often become quite close. I have had dinner at a professor's house once, and my house has invited professors over for dinner on many occasions. The classes are mostly quite small, with the exception of a very few large lecture classes, and class participation is the norm. Many students are really driven and hard-working, although there are still definitely those who appreciate the importance of free time and relaxation. The education at Smith is geared toward learning for its own sake, but nonetheless, Smith graduates are very successful and never have problems finding a job. Classes to take: Horticulture, Infinite Dimensional Linear Algebra (if you're into that)

Academics are such an important part of Smith. I would recommend every single woman take classes in an all-women's environment, especially in the sciences, and you will see the difference. Yes, some people are very competitive, and perfectionistic, but something I've learned is that if you look close, you can see the real issues behind that. So many of the professors at Smith see it as a priority to re-instate women's confidence. I spend quite a lot time out of class with professors, because they really want you to learn. I have pushed myself a lot at Smith, and I have been more successful than I thought I could.

Classes can be really hard - the level of academics is definitely higher than other schools I've experienced - but for as many kids that I know that dont' have a life and study each weekend, I know girls that take each weekend off - either for extracurricular activities/leisure/drinking etc. Most professors expect that you put effort into the class, and in my department (Geology) everyone is very supportive, kind, friendly, and very personal. I call most of my professors by first name, although of course there is a distinct respect for professors -- they are here to teach you what they can, and its your job to take in as much as possible. I like Smith's attitude towards a liberal arts degree, although my only complaint is sometimes the school (or certain people within the administration) are hellbent on looking 'prestigious' and this really bothers me - of course a Fulbright is an honorable award to receive, but its not just about looking good, adn sometimes I feel Smith is rather concerned with sounding good.

Most of my professors know my name but whether that has anything to do with being the only black student in a class of 30 or are really familiar with the students I don't know.

The faculty are good quality and are very supportive, as noted above. Even in big intro lectures they generally try to learn everyone's name. My favorite class was Scandinavian Mythology with Craig Davis, who became my advisor in Medieval Studies. Medieval Studies is an interdisciplinary major targeting a formative period in Western history and culture. I've been able to complete this major very easily while also completing Veterinary Prequisites. Class participation is very common. I would say that students are generally not competitive, but rather communicate and cooperate in learning/studying outside of class.

So far I have enjoyed every one of my professors here at Smith. All of them are extremely knowledgeable in their field of study and are eager to pass it on to their students. All my professors knew my name, even in my larger seminar classes of 50 or so students. If they did not know it right away they at lest recognized your face, knew it once and just temporarily forgot it. There is never a shortage of people to participate in any class. It seems as if everyone has something to say at one point or another. Students are dedicated to their studies and are always up to something academic. Thats not to say they do not know how to have fun as well, but that (most) know how to have a healthy balance. Smithies from what I have seen study regularly and work hard.

The professors are pretty amazing. All my professors know my name, class sizes in the humanities at least are very decent sized, one of my classes has 8 people, my language class has about 13, my econ classes have more but nothing outrageous. Class participation usually depends on the department, teachers and class size. I've had classes that go from virtually zero participation to full participation. I don't know if its just where I live but there is very little intellectual conversation outside of class, near to none actually, though I don't think thats an across the board case. Students study way to much or are always thinking/ stressing about class. People are very competitive, though more with themselves with others. Everyone has this huge pressure to succeed from I don't know where so everyone pushes themselve till they're completely stretched. A lot of Smith students are also very career minded, with high expectations of success, learning for the sake of learning or academic exploration is less common in my experience. Smith has no general ed requirements which is sweet! And the requirements for majors/ minors is completely reasonable in my view.

All the professors know your names, there are small class sizes and usually pretty good professors. Students study a lot, but by choice and by major. Class participation is very common, too common. All the obnoxious " Hermione" hand raisers from high school went to Smith. There is always intellectual conversation around if you want to have it. Students are pretty competitive but it varies by major. The most unique class I took was Sherlock Holmes and Geology which merged learning a small amount of geology and using it to write Sherlock Holmes mysteries. Anthropology here at Smith is very cultural. They don't cover all the disciplines which is annoying but you can always take classes at the other 5 colleges which is not a hassle at all. Education at Smith is completely geared at learning for its own sake not getting a job, they won't let you design a major that is too job specific.

My professors have all been wonderful, warm, and encouraging. Even in my largest classes professors have learned my name and gone out of their way to help and encourage me.

lots of flexibility and options; it's definitely challenging and overwhelming for some, but it's certainly doable

I think in order for a professor to know your name it really depends on how big your classes are. Also depends on the professor's own ability on wanting to know their student's name whether that student talk alot in class or not. I really like my EAL classes, i think i learned the most in those classes.

With the exception of large lecture classes like Introduction to Chemistry/Psychology/Government, most classes are small and intimate. My largest class thus far has had roughly thirty and my smallest had around 12 students. Smith students do have intellectual discussions outside of class, but they're not as ordinary and common as people may think. In terms of how often people study, how competitive things are, etc; just like anywhere else there are people who are absolute perfectionists, people who pull all-nighters, people who can crank out a paper in three hours and get an A, whatever. It's such a diverse campus in just about every possible way you can imagine. My favorite classes have been 'History and Memory', 'The History of the Book', and 'The Chemistry of Art Objects'. All are in different departments but I find fascinating. Education is geared towards providing a liberal arts education, and students are encouraged to do so. There are people who stay in their fields of study and don't branch often into different subjects, but the oppertunity is always there.

Professors are really accessible and helpful. The classes are small so you really get to know your peers and your teachers. I consider my department on campus like a family.

It has taken awhile for me to create substantial relationships between professors and myself but i have developed some really great ones. Smith students are smart, motivated, and independent.