I am choosing between Tufts (2K) vs. Smith (0) vs. Centre Grissom (full ride) vs. UF Promise (full ride) vs. Scripps (10k) vs. Wesleyan
I have honestly decided against Centre, UF (not eligible for scholarship next yr), Wesleyan (location), and Scripps (cost), so I am currently between Tufts and Smith.
(I have 7K in scholarships)
Desired Major: IR, Poli Sci, Environ Sci and Policy
At Tufts I would major/minor in: International Relations, Political Science, or Environmental Science and Policy
At Smith I would major/minor in: Government and Environmental Science/ Policy
Career: hopefully in climate policy, intl’ non-profit, policy analyst, diplomacy
Hobbies: Would be involved in a Poetry group, Book Club, civic-engagement, nonprofit with youth engagement, non-profit with environment, hiking, gardening
Center-left
TUFTS PROS:
Greater Department Sizes (greater access to professors in my niches (inequality policy, climate policy, water-policy)
Professors are supposedly easy to meet during office hours (networking and access to opportunities through professors)
Experiential Classes and Opportunities
Can take classes at the Fletcher Diplomacy School
Good Latinx community
women center
access to Boston for community engagement
Tisch Civic Life center (fellowship and civic semester) (will be applying if decide to enroll!)
More renowned in IR/Policy
Semester in Washington DC
The students are curious and passionate and “collaborative”
Flexibility Across Departments (registration at SMFA, Engineering School :D)
access to research!!
pretty when the sun is out
good food
love foreign lang department
Interesting classes
Access to global network?
Garden/Pollinator Club
Mountain Club
Enough variety in students and activities to create the experience I want
Will not feel too small (goldilocks?)
great location
Distribution requirements don’t bother me
TUFTS CONS:
Weather made me depressed (when cloudy and cold)
Class sizes may be bigger because IR is a popular major? (I am afraid of not being able to stand out among “louder” stereotypical IR kids-- opportunities
may be more competitive)
Intro classes are Huge ..I like seminar style classes more
A more independent campus culture? (I want a tight-knit community..),..will need to work harder to create a supportive experience?
The Hill
I wonder if it is too fast-paced?–> do people often engage in “fun” activities (open-mic, slam poetry, foraging, craft-making, movie-watching, gardening).
prone to current events
CAREER ADVISING ..
When I visited I didn’t feel immediately connected to the students (but I didn’t meet very many to begin with)
It was difficult to walk across campus
registering for classes …
Tufts Bias:
I went when it was cold and met very few students directly, did not sit in on a class
Smith Pros:
Tight-knit accepting community
smaller seminar style classes
as a women’s college-may be easier to stand out in classes
open curriculum
Poetry Center
Boathouse
Paradise Pond
Greenhouse
Botanical Gardens
Insanely ethereally beautiful when the sun is out
Instantly found people with my same interests/hobbies
Students were incredibly nice (I met way more students through artistic/environmental activities because it was an Art Day)
More laid-back, slower campus vibe
Interesting classes
CEEDS center
Washington Semester
Engagement Center
Alumni Connections
Professors were kind
The library was gorgeous!!
The houses instead of dorms .. pretty nice
The tea tradition is cute
love the humanities approach… (con–but it may not be favorable for developing my technical skills for a job after graduation)
Praxis Internship, auto 1K in free-funding
CONS:
I wonder if it will feel too small over 4 years, (will I feel boxed in?-smaller campus/student body?)
Northampton is cute, but four years is a long time and I don’t even drink coffee (so many coffee shops), location…
Weather made me depressed (when cloudy and cold)–even when I was kayaking.. so during most of the year I will not find it that pretty there
Departments are on the smaller size
IR is not a major…must work to take several classes at other schools to make up the lack of IR at Smith
I feel as though my access to internships in my field during the semester will be difficult—easier if I went to Tufts?
Not as renowned in IR (clearly)
Not as direct access to global network/opportunities
Not as easy access to diverse opinions/people
Smith Bias:
Did an overnight, it was sunny the second day (was also Arts Day- so many activities with current students (which appealed to me)
Wow - what great options and you and your family must be so excited for you.
No experience with Tufts (but a lot around your major says Tufts as outlined by you ) - but based on experience knowing some Smith alum, recent grads and students their alumni network runs deep and is very engaged and it seems like you really resonated with the school community - that counts for a lot in my opinion
The weather is a wash at both schools and each will allow you to get away for study abroad for a semester.
When looking at curriculums, does either go deeper in climate studies ? Of course at Smith you have consortium access (technically at Tufts too) but you have to get to the other schools.
Does the single gender of Smith play a part ?
I would not let rep in IR influence. It’s far overstated as important.
Congrats - could be both are GREAT choices and you’ll excel at either.
Hello!
Tufts goes deeper into climate studies compared to smith
Thank you for mentioning that the IR reputation is not supremely significant (I had thought that was important)
I think I might feel a bit boxed in/stuck going to a single gender school for 4 years (I have never had a similar experience before).. especially because a co-ed education may add more dynamic to the educational setting in my prospective major
I also don’t want to struggle too much seeking male company
You’ll find different opinions on this. I did an IR masters in the UK and everyone knew of the Fletcher school. Does it have to be priority number one, no; can it make a difference at some employers, yes it might. I don’t know much about the Smith program but I do know a couple of alumni who really enjoyed their time there - and same for Tufts. This may come down to where you feel more at home on campus.
i will say smith has the consortium with umass + hampshire + amherst college, which all have men
do you care about the size of the local area? medford is much more accessible to Not the Tufts Campus than smith is to Literally Anywhere that Isnt Amherst–i think it can contribute to a community sense but i’m also not sure if you might feel stir-crazy after a while?
Environmental Science & Policy at Tufts is only a minor and even at that, is only available to students in the School of Engineering. This seems to be closest to where your passion lies, so if I were you, I’d opt for Smith where you can do that as a full blown major.
Given your interest in policy and international relations, I assume that you’ll spend some time in your 4 years studying away from whatever campus you attend, so I wouldn’t worry about things like weather or claustrophobia because you’ll get a break. Smith’s Semester-in-Washington program through their Government Dept should be right in line with your interests. There is also a myriad of study abroad programs to choose from, depending on your interests.
I would say I do care greatly about location, in high school my biggest pet peeve was being unable to access opportunities in my local “city” because I lived so far away (rural-suburban)
Thank you for mentioning having a break from campus via study away + abroad (I had never considered it that way). Will definitely take that into consideration !
About the Environ and Policy at Tufts–embarrassingly enough I hadn’t realized that until you mentioned it–I noticed I can make my own concentration–if I attend I would do something policy-related for sure–but I don’t know if that can/will be as comprehensive/vigorous as the program at Smith
I do get the sense that the program at Smith is more than just a major. There is this from their website:
“The ES&P program seeks to produce future leaders with interdisciplinary analysis and problem-solving skills. ES&P majors work in teams to address sustainability projects on campus or with local community partners. During the summer as well as the academic year, students can conduct research with the ES&P program faculty whose work spans the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. During the summer, ES&P also supports students participating in the NOAA College-Supported Internship Program.”
There’s a lot going on there! And there’s a long list of faculty members and affiliate researchers to work with. Their bios and interest areas are on the website. This seems like more of a coherent program than the individualized study that you are envisioning at Tufts.
If it’s what I’m thinking it is, the NOAA College-Supported Internship Program is a great opportunity. You actually live at Wood’s Hole and work with professionals who are monitoring climate change. I’m sure you can ask someone at Smith for more details if you’re interested.
Northampton is not New York or Boston, but it is the second biggest music booking venue in New England. There’s a lot of live music available if you’re into that - from the Parlor Room which holds about 75-100 to bigger auditoriums like the Academy of Music Theater which holds 2600 and everything in between. My wife & I recently attended a 2 hour non-stop performance by 2-time Grammy nominated jazz & folk performer, Guy Davis, at the Parlor Room. And what’s available in Northampton is all within walking distance of campus, including a comedy club, museums, and restaurants. A shuttle makes Amherst readily available as well.
Assuming it’s not one of the ones on the chopping block as funding and programs get pulled from NOAA. Sounds like there are plenty other things about the course to get excited about, though, even if that happens.
OTOH, a student starting college this August will be there beyond the end of this administration. My hope is that Congress will flip in a year and a half and will begin to see some sanity return to Washington - including funding of worthwhile programs.
This is making me lean towards Smith–I feel the individualized attention at Smith (versus Tufts) will be better for career outcome (even if I am losing out on the internship opportunities through Boston and potentially Tisch Scholars Program/Access to the Tisch College/experiential learning. I am very much worried that the competition for opportunities in the IR department/Environmental Science Department will put me at a disadvantage–but it is difficult because Tufts has always been my top school
You can easily go to NYC or Boston for the weekend from Northampton–just be aware it is about 3 hours door to door for NYC if you take Amtrak. The bus is a little longer b/c more stops. So plan for some reading or other homework. To Boston the bus is the best option and you can walk to the station from Smith. I travel to these cities from Northampton several times a month. That said, Northampton is NOT a city, even though it calls itself one! Can you talk to students at both colleges studying what you are interested in? We know students at both schools and they are all very happy. You have wonderful options. Congratulations on all you have accomplished thus far.
IR in general is a tough field but my kid is at College of Charleston - and she had 7 intern offers in DC, worked for our state and had access to many dignitaries. Today, HR McMaster is speaking to a class she was invited to attend (old professor).
Pick the one with the right fit. Obviously, the job landscape in politics is changing… but you are 17/18. These are both elite schools…the point of Charleston is that it’s not, and kids are still crushing it (one of her friends is off to Oxford next year)…so if you’re choosing amongst two elite schools…well, you’re in good shape either way.
If you hustle, you’ll be fine.
Where you are doesn’t matter - people take internships all over the country and world. Kids find internships - schools may have a listing - but ultimately it will be up to you.
Which school fits you day to day. You will be somewhere four years and want to be happy.
That’s where you should go (assuming affordability).
I know that the clock is ticking on your decision, but there is still a week or so to go. Are you able to visit either or both this weekend? Or even better, on a week day? You would go with better questions. You could set up in advance through Admissions an appointment with a department representative or someone who might be an advisor for what you’re interested in. You could also mask to meet with some students with similar interests/major. Second best would be some phone conversations or Skype meetings.
Remember that college is not your destination although it may feel like that right now. It is the bridge to the rest of your life. A happy, productive life is your goal. So, the question is, which of these options puts you in the best position to get to where you want to be in your life?
(networking and access to opportunities through professors)
Can you talk to students at both colleges studying what you are interested in? We know students at both schools and they are all very happy. You have wonderful options. Congratulations on all you have accomplished thus far.