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<p>Why does it need to be one or the other? I’m not suggesting that Smith bump Bryn Mawrt on your list. My D is very interested in Bryn Mawr for much the same reasons you are (although right now she’s got Haverford #1, Bryn Mawr and Wesleyan tied for #2), But given that it’s a bit easier to get into Smith than Bryn Mawr with your stats, I’m suggesting keeping Bryn Mawr as a match (and higher on your list of preferences) and adding Smith as a reach (and somewhere lower on your list of preferences).</p>
<p>I completely understand the urban thing; again, that’s why my D has Earlham as a safety, and definitely farther down her list than Haverford and Bryn Mawr. Smith isn’t exactly in an urban setting, either, but Northampton is a lively little college town, and there’s a lot going on culturally in the five colleges area and Western Mass more generally.</p>
<p>The question you need to ask is, what if you DON’T get into ANY of your reach or match schools? You’ve got Hampshire on your list as a safety; that may be all you need. But Smith seems to meet mre of your criteria than Hampshire. As does, arguably, Earlham (more intellectual than Hampshire, IMO), except possibly for the urban thing–but that requires you to stipulate that the five colleges area counts as more “urban” than Richmond, IN, and surely Northampton is the most urban part of the five colleges area, so doesn’t that count as a point in favor of Smith?</p>