Written by Dara Kagan
The first thing every prospective student should know is that Smith is one of the best places to celebrate and explore sexual diversity and gender variance. There is a small but vocal group of transgender students on campus who are, for the most part, very accepted by the student body, and they are constantly pushing Smith’s administration to include more gender-inclusive language in its policies. Women who date other women are the most visible group on the Smith campus, but there is also a large and active heterosexual population that treks to Amherst and UMass every weekend to meet guys.
When it comes to dating, not all students are happy with the gay dating scene on campus, but for many, the plethora of available women is just what they are looking for. While straight women at Smith have a harder time meeting guys and relationship partners, the PVTA bus system makes it very easy to go to coed schools within the Five College consortium. The best bets for meeting guys is to take classes off campus, get involved in activities that interact with other campuses a lot, or head out with the informal straight-girl network at Smith, which goes to parties at other schools together to mingle with guys. Overall, Smith is a very welcoming place for students of any gender, race, or sexuality, and most accept, know, and love this part of their Smith experience. It’s also important to remember that Smith academics are strenuous so many students feel little pressure to date, and instead, spend their college years connecting with friends and focusing on schoolwork.