<p>I do have to second Upbeat, especially as someone who has a similar disability to yours. While I don’t have accomodations with Disability Services nor have any accomodations/regularly interact with Health Services, perhaps I can reassure you a bit. Even if the decision is ultimately up to you. I also suggest, as others have, that speaking with Disability Services would be much more appropriate aka where your call should’ve
been directed, anyway. Most importantly, I would suggest asking to be put in contact with students who are receiving accomodations through Disability Services & would be willing to speak to you if that’s possible. I think they would be quite honest & objective.</p>
<p>That being said, I attempted to answer some of your questions here from the list of the ones who asked posted on another forum. I hope you don’t mind.</p>
<hr>
<ul>
<li><p>Is there a pharmacy within walking distance of campus?
Yes, there is a CVS with a pharmacy downtown. It’s a 5-10 min. walk depending on where you live on campus.</p></li>
<li><p>Does your college have a clinic or health services department where I can get treatment for frequent ear infections?
We have a Health Services building complex on campus & I assume they would be able to treat ear infections. You can always call them with more information/your questions as well.</p></li>
<li><p>Will I be able to get nutritious, low-sugar food in the cafeteria, even if I’m on financial aid?
Your room & board would be one combined flat fee, so you wouldn’t have less access to food than anyone else on the meal plan. There’s one dining hall with healthy options & another that’s vegetarian/vegan & there’s a variety of food served on campus during meals in different dining halls. This would be a good question for Dining Services to elaborate on: I know they assist folks with dietary restrictions & allergies & the like, but I’m not actually one of them.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Academic Services:
- If I present the proper documentation, can I get a note-taker or a tape recorder for lectures?
I’m assuming yes, you could do so through Disability Services. Again, I have a disability but don’t request any accomodations.</p>
<ul>
<li><p>If I present the proper documentation, can I get extra time on exams?
See above.</p></li>
<li><p>Does your college offer tutoring services in math and foreign language?
Yes. We have the Quantitive Learning Center (QLC) which has Master Tutors for different math & science-based subjects & students are hired to be tutors at the QLC for specific classes. For example, my roommate last semester was the tutor for the Introduction to Macroeconomics class & held scheduled open hours at the QLC. The Jacobson Center has student tutors in different foreign languages & I’ve gotten a lot of good writing feedback from the Spanish tutors. Though the Jacobson Center is admitely focused on writing, even though I’m sure the foreign language tutors would be more than happy to assist you with grammar & whatnot. Professors often alert students to who the QLC or Jacobson Center tutors are for the class/subject & their hours. And remember professors have scheduled office hours specifically for you to come & ask questions if you need to as well!</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Counseling Services:
- Is there a student counseling center?
There’s a counseling center that offers individual & group therapy.</p>
<ul>
<li><p>If so, are the services that it offers geared more towards crisis care or long-term therapy by appointment?
I’m not sure. Another questions Health Services can probably answer for you.</p></li>
<li><p>If I need/want long-term therapy by appointment, will I have to find a professional outside the college?
Again, not sure, but probably yes. However, I there are several therapists (which type, I’m not sure) who have offices downtown within walking distance from campus who will accept the college insurance plan if you choose to enroll if I’m remembering correctly. Whether they accept a private insurance plan (aka one besides Smith’s) will probably depend on the individual.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Housing, Student Life, and Self-Care:
- Can I make it four years at your college without a car?
Yes, I don’t drive & can attest to this. You can walk into town within 5-10 mins., there’s the PVTA which goes to the other Five College schools & I’m sure you’ll have friends & housemates with cars.</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Would you consider the campus quiet?
Overall yes. Not a whole lot of noise from outside overall (like cars honking 24/7) & areas of campus such as Green Street which suit folks looking for quieter residences well & are great places to live.</p></li>
<li><p>Can I get a single dorm room?
Yes, but you will want to register with Disability Services to make suire this happens. Incoming students who have done so are placed first. Everyone I know who needed a single for health reasons & followed the process received one.</p></li>
<li><p>If not, is there a compatability-based roommate selection process?
Yes, there’s a form to fill out about your different habits & whatnot. </p></li>
<li><p>Do the dorms have coed bathrooms?
It’s an historically all-women’s college, so they’re single-sex. I mean, you might see a male visiting someone in the house who’s using the bathroom once in awhile, but that’s about it.</p></li>
<li><p>Do the dorms have caretakers or “dorm parents”?
There are two students who are employed by Residence Life, a House Community Advisors & a Head Resident (like an RA at other schools) who live in each house.</p></li>
</ul>