Smith CollegeOff-Campus Housing Summary

Written by Dara Kagan

Dara Kagan

Hometown

Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y.

Major

Government, with a minor in the Study of Women and Gender

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The College discourages students from living off campus because it sees residential life as an integral part of the Smith experience, and the majority of Smithies live on campus all four years. However, the off-campus population is growing and includes local students who choose to live at home during their time at Smith, as well as a number who have been granted permission to live off campus because of special circumstances. Off-campus status is usually granted by a lottery to traditional-aged students, usually seniors, who have lived in campus houses for at least two years and have a legitimate reason to live off campus.

However, it seems like Smith students rarely want to live off campus because rent can be really steep. It is also difficult to find apartment buildings close to campus, so having a car is integral to making living off campus possible. A cheaper option is to rent rooms in private residences. However, this does not really work for students looking for more privacy by moving off campus. Students looking for more independent, private living options usually elect to live in Friedman, which are on-campus apartments. These house four students each and have a living room, kitchen, bathroom, and three or four bedrooms.