Smith College Top Questions

Academics at Smith is rigorous. Professors demand a lot from the students. My workload is very heavy. I always have work to do. But, I know Smith is preparing me for my future.

The academics are very strong here at Smith. Sometimes class work can be overwhelming and challenging, but I don't think it's unreasonable. Most of my professors know my name because class sizes are usually 20 or fewer students. My favorite class this semester is my visual studies seminar where I am free to work on an independent painting project with the support of other students and professor for guidance and encouragement. I love the religion department at my school and the art department, too. I love the lack of academic requirements that Smith has for the students -only one writing intensive.

Classes are pretty rigorous, but extremely rewarding. The professors here are genuinely interested in their students progress and development. The environment at Smith is one that is fairly balanced between always academics all the time and generic college fun times. While students are on the whole pretty competitive, it hasn't detracted from my personal experience. When people get into the "oh I have so work to do" routine, you have to let it roll off your back and focus on yourself. I majored in History and German Studies-- both departments are GREAT!

The best thing about Smith is that it has so few requirements. I get to experiment and only take classes I'm genuinely interested in. Most professors make a real effort to know students' names, which is a benefit of classes being so small (usually under 40 students). Few departments at Smith are geared towards actual careers. Most of us study what we love, which unfortunately means we'll probably be unemployed after graduation.

Do professors know your name?: More of my teachers here know my name than did in high school. Favorite Class: I think that depends on major and interest. How much do people study?: Constantly. Way more than all other college kids I've talked to. There's a lot of reading and writing plus intense problem sets for other classes. Class participation?: Is required. I didn't participate in high school. In some classes you sit around a table talking but in certain larger classes participation is less important. Intellectual conversations?: All the time. We talk about ridiculous stuff as well, but intellectual conversations are a daily thing for all students. Competitive?: extremely. Professors outside of class?: Most upperclassmen do. I don't have a major yet, so I haven't met with professors especially often outside of class. Academic requirements: Reasonable and manageable. What is a Smith education geared towards?: grad school. You can get a job, but most people continue in school.

my professors are generally good to great, with a few spectacular ones thrown in.

Smith is very personal. Classes truly are small with the exception of some 101 classes, and even those have smaller discussion groups that meet on different days. Professors know your name within a few weeks, and encourage students to stop by during office hours or even just to say "hi." Hearing my friends talk about their experiences at larger colleges and universities, I am shocked to hear of classes with 400+ people in them or professors that have no interaction with their students. Pre-major and major advisers can be a huge help to a student if you choose wisely. I know some students who have been frustrated by advisers that are hard to get in touch with or poorly suited for their field of study, but most students are very satisfied. These advisers help students with the transition into college life, help them choose courses, talk to them about their classes, and generally help their advisees in any way they can. Class participation is expected at Smith. Though first-years can sometimes be nervous and hesitant to speak up, professors are aware of this and do their best to encourage them. Taking a First-Year Seminar (FYS) can be a huge help to a student, because these classes are small, interesting, and contain only students just entering college. It is easy to make friends in these classes as everyone is essentially in the same boat, and you can help each other transition into college life and academics. Smith's lack of a core curriculum is a brilliant decision. While friends at other schools are stuck in Calc II and Bio 101 when they know they want to be an art major, I am free to take exactly those classes I want. The only requirement is a writing-intensive course your first year, intended to bring first-years up to college-level writing standards. This can be a difficult level to attain for some students, but making good use of their WI class and the Jacobsen Center will prove invaluable for those students. That said, expanding your academic pursuits is encouraged, and for the Latin Honors program you must take at leasat one course in each of the seven areas of learning. Students are encouraged to take courses outside their majors; classes that interest them whether they put them on a career track or not. Yet, Smith works hard to prepare its students for life after college, frequently bringing in alums to discuss what they have done with their English, Psych, neuroscience majors, etc. The Career Development office also works with students to get them internships, jobs, or just to give advice.

varied.

Academics are the main focus at Smith College. After graduation, Smithies are prepared to write, speak, and think well. In many classes discussion plays a major role, and most students have no reservations about speaking up. Introductory classes can be big, especially science classes, but most of the upper level classes are much smaller. Professors often know students by name, and are very willing to meet with students if they are having trouble or just need advice. I am a chemistry major, and I have nothing but good things to say about the chemistry department. The professors are all wonderful and will say "hello" if you see them outside of class. The department has Chemistry Lunchbag talks each week and several seminar speakers each semester. Smith is a great place to study science because there are tons of opportunites to do research as an undergraduate, which looks great on a resume or graduate school application. I have stayed at Smith for two summers doing chemistry research, and I am currently writing a thesis on my work.

Usually rigorous. But not always. I like the fact that there are no core requirements. Not enough film classes. I like being able to take classes off campus--it's a great opportunity.