niightingale

i checked on the website Smith College: For First-Year Students: Apply but maybe the universe hates me and wants to ruin my dreams and hopes of going to college by making the text invisible. i'm guessing "exclusively" means only the common app, but i'm paranoid. can someone confirm this? hahaa

thanks

also, can someone comment on how the interviews are like?
are they done by alumni?
one of my classmate's mother went to smith!
is there any chance i might get her?

teenage_cliche

There is a supplement, but it's quite short. When you add Smith on the CommonApp website, you'll be able to see it. It's just this:

How did you first learn of Smith College and why are you applying? (Limit response to 100 words.) Characters available 500

When Smith College was founded in 1871, there were few educational opportunities for women. Is a women’s college still relevant in 2009? (Limit response to 150 words) Characters available 1000

MeredithBelle

As I've said in another response, there is the option of either interviewing at Admissions/on campus or with an alum in your area- Smith says they want you to interview on campus if you live within I think it's either 100 or 200 miles, but they don't follow it closely at all since they understand not everyone will be able to make a trip regardless of how far away they are. I live about ~100 miles away and my interview was with an alum who graduated less than five years before and it was super chill, over breakfast at a local Bruegger's Bagels. It was pretty standard for a college interview- I was asked about my activities throughout high school, which ones I liked most/got a lot out of, my personal admirable qualities, why Smith, etc. And there was time for me to ask questions as well. Mention specifics all around esp. what attracts you to Smith! There's info on their website about how to get in contact with the individual who coordinates alum interviews in your area- if your classmate's mother went to Smith + is conducting alum interviews, yes, there is a chance that you might have an interview with her.

SmithieandProud

Interviews are done by alumnae, by admissions counselors, and by specially trained Smith seniors who are selected to be senior interviewers. In terms of how your interview report is treated as part of your application, it makes no difference who your interviewer is. Interviews conducted by seniors or alums are weighted exactly the same as those conducted by admissions officials and they are basically the same process.

The interviews are very relaxed, not formal at all. They're intended to be conversational, and they go over the usual questions: Why do you want to go to Smith, tell me about your high school, what do you do for fun, etc. There's no set list of interview questions so every interview is very different and personalized by the interviewer.

You could get your friend's mother, but only if she is already signed up to be an alum interviewer (all alum's are eligible to conduct interviews but not all alums do conduct interviews).