<p>My two D’s have looked at several of the schools in question, over the past year–one as a transfer, and the other as a hs junior. In fact, the transfer is currently at Hampshire and as a Five College Consortium benefit has been able to take classes at both MoHo and Smith. The younger one is very interested in Barnard and Wellesley.</p>
<p>These are our combined impressions (based on classes, tours, interviews and overnights)–</p>
<p>DD found the Smith students to be more assertive and opinionated in the classroom than MoHo students (and my daughter is more outspoken than ANYBODY!). Both MoHo and Smith classmates work very hard and are conscientious, but the MoHo ones come off as a little less edgy and aggressive–they are much more “polished.” She found that her MoHo classmates attended study sessions in order to learn exactly what the professor wanted on the exam, while the Smith ones were ready to argue about their own ideas. Academically it may be because we’re comparing apples to oranges (Gov at Smith vs. Psych at MoHo), but she did have a classmate in the MoHo class from Smith–even the Smithie said that she sought the less combative environment in the MoHo classroom as a change of pace. Her overnight stay bore this out, as well–the MoHo students were very soft-spoken, almost a throwback to the 50’s, compared with the more outspoken students she met at Smith. This is not a knock on MoHo in the least–it’s just her observation that the two schools were more different than one would expect. She hopes to be at Smith, since she thrives on that kind of environment.</p>
<p>From younger D’s experience on the tours, which is hardly as reliable: Wellesley seemed more focused on science than Barnard. Physically, it’s a much more sheltered environment. In general, I’d say Barnard students were the most savvy/sophisticated, forced as they were to deal with the challenges of New York City. Although they may take semesters abroad and internships during summers, both Smith and MoHo grads will have a bit of a culture shock returning to the real world from their peaceful days in the Pioneer Valley.</p>
<p>We visited Vassar, which is no longer a women’s college but IS a former 7 sister–not sure what you’re basing your grouping on–happy to give our impressions off line.</p>
<p>Re. “in your face feminism” per se–you’ll find some at each campus, but tempered with the above caveats. I think it’s kind of nice that there are so many varieties of “women’s colleges,” that people can find their own flavor. Sounds to me like you might be more comfortable at MoHo.</p>