I canāt speak to Hamilton but my daughter is a first year at Smith and having an incredible experience. She is a government and religion major and loves classes and professors in those departments so far. The house system is unique and something she loves, and Northampton is a wonderful college town. She also enjoys the consortium and has attended events at Amherst, UMass, and Holyoke this semester, and has friends at Holyoke in addition to Smith. If historically womenās colleges appeal to you, Smith is a very special place
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Youāve probably decided by now but my 2 centsā¦.i have kids at both schools (my Smithie was also rejected by Barnard ED1). The schools are vastly different.
Smith is a unique place for unique outgoing people. Weirdness is celebrated. Academics vary by department IMO. I am not a fan of the administration at all. The setting is idyllic. My D is graduating in May. She loves her fellow students and really found her place and herself at Smith. She wouldāve hated Hamilton (and Barnard).
Hamilton is a school for normal people. Itās got chill vibes. Academically itās very intellectual. I love the administration. I think they support students and have their ā ā ā ā together. The setting is very remote. Everything that happens happens on campus.
Itās always about fit.
Childrenās author and artist Mo Willems lives down the street from Smith in a beautiful rambling old house with lots of room for a home office and work space. Lots of similar gorgeous 19th century homes on his street & neighborhood. Another childrenās author, Eric Carle, also lives in town and has a museum named after him on Main Street.
I highly recommend the Smith College owned hotel, The Ellery, a short distance up the street from the college for anyone whoās visiting the campus. It sits in the midst of historic homes on Elm Street.
Can I ask why you arenāt a fan of Smithās administration? Is there a place to see which academics are better there? Admitted but undecided student here!
I feel Smith admin is more focused on their reputation and making a splash in the headlines than supporting students. Itās not one big thing but dozens of small things that could be better but they would rather build a huge new (unnecessary) building.
Would your daughter still recommend in spite of that?
These are two very, very different schools. My daughter goes to Hamilton. She was recruited by multiple schools for her sport, including Smith. She liked the coach fine, but never considered Smith as she did not want an all female college and the āvibeā wasnāt her. Hamilton, obviously, is co-ed and a very different vibe. My daughter LOVES Hamilton and itās been a great experience in every regard. I donāt think the other student from your school getting into Hamilton is a factor, so I wouldnāt factor that in. The interview will be more of a conversation so I would think long and hard about yourself, what you genuinely value, and why youād be a good fit/contribute the Hamilton campus community.
What do you value and like in a school? Where do you see yourself? If you donāt know, then you shouldnāt be applying ED2; apply to both RD.