Visit Report by ÀVosMarques (Member since November 05 2007 with 3 posts) Visit Date - October 2006
Visit to Smith College in October 2006 by ÀVosMarques (Parent of Student, HS Class of 2007)
Visit Activities:
Information Session:
No - I think we skipped because D was on an overnight visit. Staff at the admission's office was friendly, as well as the people at the Career Center. Campus Tour:
Yes - The student with whom D was staying gave us a tour when we arrived. Very personable, visibly happy and well grounded. Classroom Visit:
Yes - D went and was impressed with relations between professor and students.
Smith College Campus:
Friendliness/Courtesy of Students: 5 - Excellent Friendliness/Courtesy of Staff: 5 - Excellent -
Both Admission office and Career Center seemed excellent and the latter very efficient. Came out very impressed with the support from alumnae and the internship possibilities.
Appearance of Campus: 5 - Excellent -
Despite the overcast and rainy weather, the campus still looked very beautiful.
Building/Facilities Maintenance/Cleanliness: 4 - Very Good -
There is a brand new student center that is very attractive and airy. The rest of campus is beautiful and very well maintained.
Dormitories: 4 - Very Good -
I understand that various houses may be in various shapes, but the homey feeling makes up for some shabbiness. It sure beats the dorms at the school chosen by D (obviously for other reasons;-))
Security/Safety: 5 - Excellent Overall Campus Impression: 4 - Very Good -
Would have been perfect if D had not insisted on an urban campus.
Off-Campus:
Area Immediately Around Campus: 4 - Very Good -
Pleasant walk to downtown Northampton.
City/Town/Community: 5 - Excellent -
We really liked Northampton and the drive there. Several excellent restaurants, the performing arts theater had a very dense and eclectic lineup. There were at least 2 used bookstores.
Campus Visit Notes for Smith College:
Visit Description:
D had absolutely no interest in an all-girl school but yielded to my offer of an overnight visit because I promised to let her drive there (2 hours, some highway some rural roads). She came back really pleased with the whole experience and completely reassured about the girls-only setup, and laughing in retrospect about warnings that the campus was very "lesbian in your face". She ended up being accepted at her ED school, but she would have definitely applied at Smith, despite the rural setting.
Note: we had heard a lot about the "Five Colleges" program that lets students attend courses at Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke UMass, but I wonder how students without cars can really profit from this. However, it might come in very handy if you fall in love with Smith's atmospher and location but are hesitant because the catalog does not contain all the courses that might interest you for a minor.
Hotel/Lodging Recommendations or Comments:
Stayed at the Autumn Inn, across from the campus. Very good experience, decent breakfast.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g41742-d256895-Reviews-The_Autumn_Inn-Northampton_Massachusetts.html
Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:
Osaka Japaese Restaurant. Very good.
Other Comments (Transportation, local attractions, parking, etc.):
No parking problems. Beautiful drive there.
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There is a brand new student center that is very attractive and airy. The rest of campus is beautiful and very well maintained.