Haverford vs. Smith??

[balletkat]

@Publisher

The easy answer is that you need to committ to Haverford College as that is your only option at this time.

On a campus of just under 1,300 students, any degree of anonymity is unlikely–so your concern in this area is reasonable. But, since you are entering as a sophomore, most classmates will have multiple areas of focus other than on getting to know the other freshmen in their class. Additionally, you can enroll in classes at nearby Bryn Mawr–which is somewhat similiar to Smith College.

Bluntly speaking, the fact that you are coming from co-ed GWU combined with the fact that you have not been on Smith’s campus when other students were present raises some concern. Smith College has a very strong campus culture despite its fairly large size for an LAC.

While small classes, critical thinking, & discussion will be available on both campuses, it may not be what you think that it will be, but–to a large extent–that depends upon your desire to hear all sides of an issue.

Your interest in Smith is that it is close to your home in Massachusetts, may include a merit scholarship award, and is all female. If you are LGBTQ, then Smith College is likely to be a good fit. But then why did you apply to Haverford College instead of Bryn Mawr ?

Truthfully, I have more questions than answers for you.

Feel free to give more feedback on the liberal arts, small class experience… Always open to hearing more.

In terms of why I didn’t apply to Bryn Mawr, it wasn’t even on my list to apply to senior year of high school. It sounds stupid, I guess, but when I stepped onto the campus, I didn’t feel at home. Weird, because 10 minutes away I did… I can’t explain that to you, but that was why I made the choice I did. I also applied to Mount Holyoke this year, but am not considering it much anymore.

I guess I’m mostly trying to convince myself that being closer to home is reason enough to go to Smith (as in, if I get in, then I would tell Haverford June 1 I wouldn’t be going), when I am not sure that it is.