Smith College Reviews

We All Live on Campus

99.9 percent of students live on campus in the houses.

Who Lives Off-Campus?

The overwhelming majority of Smith students live on campus. I don't know anyone who doesn't, so I really couldn't describe the possibilities.

I Have Never Lived Off-Campus So I Wouldn't Know...

I have never lived off-campus so I wouldn't know...

Lots of self-segregation

While the racial make-up at Smith reflects the country as a whole, sometimes it seems like people self-segregate into ethnic groups. Still, it's not like there's hostility or avoidance between groups of people. Also, almost everyone here is a liberal (I say this as one myself), so people with strongly conservative views might feel alienated.

For a Liberal Arts School, We're Very Diverse

All elite liberal arts school are going to have a large percentage of white, well-off students. However, I think Smith does a good job of trying to bring in students of color and those from varying economic backgrounds. And of course, sexualites of all kinds are represented here - perhaps more so than any other college campus.

Work Hard Now, Party Later!

Smith proved to be far more rigorous than I imagined. But I still love it here. From its gorgeous campus, its history, and its diligent professors Smith is truly an amazing place to live and study. The campus life calls to the students and motivates us to finish our work and to get out there to explore Smith's night life and all of its beauty. It is breath-taking to see such drive among all of my peers. Everyone is academically driven but they still know how to have a good time. Smith has a great balance and it is a pleasure to be here.

Lunch Dates from Around the World

During my first week of classes, I was eating lunch with a group of my fellow students, none of whom I had met prior to that day. Over the course of our meal, we discovered that altogether we represented five continents! That kind of diversity is one of the things that I love about Smith.

There Are a Lot of Different Types of People

I am really pleased with how many different kinds of people, with varying interests that there are. There are social groups for everything from Frisbee to debate, sci-fi club to photography. The best part is, everyone is really accepting and kind to one another.

Most parties and events on campus...

Most parties and events on campus are open to anyone at Smith and people in the five-college system. They range in size and vary in entertainment. Downtown Northampton is a great spot to see concerts or hang out in at night or on weekends.

There are no sororities on campus,...

There are no sororities on campus, but I'd say the closest thing are the house communities, which are inclusive and there for you from the moment you move in. My house community is great! Smith also has tons of student organizations, which aren't sororities but also can be another community on campus.

I love the PVTA (Pioneer Vally...

I love the PVTA (Pioneer Vally Transit Authority). You can get to any of the surrounding four colleges that make up the Five College system for free with your student ID. This free pass also extends to a few other lines, as well. Smith is close enough to Northampton that you can walk, so you really only need the bus for expeditions to the mall or other colleges. They are generally on time, and the drivers are usually pleasant.

There are fewer parking spaces...

There are fewer parking spaces than there are seniors, but few enough have cars on campus, so juniors are likely to get passes. If you do bring your car, there are limited lots around the houses, and the parking garage is on the edge of campus. Also, be warned that if there is a snow emergency—aka if it might snow—you'll need to move your car to the end of campus by the stables, which is about a 15- to 20-minute walk from center campus.

The campus has installed more...

The campus has installed more lighting and call boxes around walkways—it was much darker my first year. I never thought much about the walk home from the lab at midnight—there was never anyone around. In general, people are very trusting—most people leave their doors unlocked and leave their things, including laptops, in the common areas and in the libraries and labs. You very rarely hear of anything stolen.

We don't have Greek life, but the...

We don't have Greek life, but the smaller houses on campus can sometimes act like sororities.

I don't even know what varsity...

I don't even know what varsity sports we have. I mean, no one expects Smith to be an athletic school. The big sports are rugby and crew, and ultimate Frisbee and fencing are also fairly popular. The standard girl sports are here too: field hockey, basketball, diving.

Drugs aren't a big part of campus...

Drugs aren't a big part of campus life. Sure, some people do them, but unless you're part of a really unusual group, you'll never feel pressured to try anything and probably won't even come across many heavy users. Drinking is popular, but that's true of almost any campus.

There's a parking lot, but it's...

There's a parking lot, but it's near the edge of campus. There are a couple of other places to park, but they're not always available and not guaranteed. Some find it useful to have a car, but some people find the buses more convenient.

Bring both clothes for really hot,...

Bring both clothes for really hot, humid weather and freezing cold weather. In March and definitely April, the weather can vary on a day-to-day basis between snow and disgustingly humid and hot weather. Do not count on there being snow days! We have had only one in the entire four years I've been here, and apparently that was the first in 20 years or so. There will be a lot of snow, but you won't be getting out of class for it. If you like warm, sunny weather, you might want to reconsider your school choice.

There are free PVTA buses for...

There are free PVTA buses for students to get to several neighboring towns—Amherst and South Hadley—but they take forever. Peter Pan and Greyhound are other options to get to Boston and New York. The airport (Bradley) is about 50 minutes away, and prices for shuttles—the only way to get there without a car—are ridiculous.

There are many international...

There are many international students, and although Smith is a women's school, there are five-college students of both sexes attending classes here. The campus is also sexually diverse despite Smith's reputation. However, there are few black students, and white and Asian students are the majority.

The campus is economically diverse...

The campus is economically diverse in the sense that there are lots of people on financial aid, but those who are not do not notice this. Ideologically, I feel that if you are not part of the majority, your voice is not heard. Politically, this is a very liberal campus—the Republican population is really small or it seems so because they are not heard on campus. The campus is very gay/bi/transsexual friendly.

The weather here is typical...

The weather here is typical Northeastern weather, so be ready for beautiful—and long awaited—springs and summers. The fall is gorgeous, but it can be really cold. The winter seems to span a lifetime. It gets really cold, and it snows a lot, so it can be a bit messy. Bring boots and layering gear, as well as standard winter attire.

Smith is really safe. I have never...

Smith is really safe. I have never felt unsafe here, ever. The most crime that happens on campus is someone stealing flowers from the garden. Public Safety is right on campus, and they have an emergency extension that is automatically programmed into all the dorm phones. There are also emergency boxes on campus and Pub Safety will be anywhere you are within two minutes.

The PVTA bus is pretty convenient....

The PVTA bus is pretty convenient. Sometimes it's a bit late and the schedules change during J-Term and the summer, but otherwise the public transportation is a great, free way of getting around.

The facilities here are wonderful....

The facilities here are wonderful. We have a large, well-arranged gym with an indoor track and tennis courts. We have several well-stocked libraries, and the campus center is a great place to meet or study with friends.