Smith College Top Questions

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.