About Smith College

Why Consider Smith College?

Smith College is known for a lot of things—the quality of the education, the accomplishments of their alumni, their beautiful campus, just to name a few. So you might not need a lot of convincing about whether it’s worth applying. Women come from all over the world to earn a degree at Smith College, and you could become part of that community, too. You could earn the degree you want, while growing as a person, making a difference, and forging new and lasting friendships.

Here are just a few of the reasons why you might be considering Smith.

The Track Record

As a Smith Grad, you could join the ranks of the greats. Smith alumni have a history of accomplishment, and if you want to continue that legacy, the first step is submitting your application. Smith alumni have made their marks as authors, doctors, scientists, politicians, and activists.

Just a few of the many notable Smith Alumni include:

• Otelia Cromwell, the first African American woman awarded a degree from Yale
• Julia Child, “The French Chef”
• Madeleine L’engle, author of A Wrinkle in Time
• Sylvia Plath, author of The Bell Jar
• Betty Friedman, author of The Feminine Mystique
• Margaret Edson, Pulitzer-winning playwright
• Victoria Chan Palay, neurobiologist and Olympian
• Two first ladies (Barbara Bush and Nancy Reagan)
• Eunice Hunton Carter, the first black woman to become a District Attorney in New York
• Florence Rena Sabin, the first woman elected to the National Academy of Sciences
• Ng’endo Mwangi, the first female physician in Kenya
• Martha Euphemia Lofton Haynes, the first African American woman to earn her PhD in mathematics

The Rankings & Reputation

If the achievements of Smith College alumni aren’t enough, consider making your decision by the numbers. Smith College is known for its quality and value, and has been recognized multiple times over the years for it.

Take, for example, the rankings and recognition awarded to Smith College in 2018 from sources like The Princeton Review and US News & World Report:

• The Best 382 Colleges (Princeton Review)
• Best Northeastern (The Princeton Review)
• Colleges That Create Futures (The Princeton Review)
• Colleges That Pay You Back (The Princeton Review)
• Green Colleges (The Princeton Review)
• #16 in Best Schools for Internships (The Princeton Review)
• #12 in National Liberal Arts Colleges (US News & World Report)
• #18 in Best Value Schools (US News & World Report)
• #14 in Engineering Programs where no doctorate is offered (US News & World Reports)

The Unique Vibe

The Smith community is unlike any other. Everything from the unique housing—these are anything but your typical dorms—to the diverse and driven students, faculty and staff, to Pioneer Valley as a whole, all come together to make Smith the home it is to the people who live, work and study there.

First, the housing. Instead of dorms, Smith houses its students in any of 35 beautiful houses, ranging in architectural styles from gothic to modern—and each one a unique community unto itself. As a graduate student, you may be able to live on campus or off, according to your lifestyle, needs and preferences.

Of course, the housing is only a small slice of what makes Smith great. There’s also the diversity, equity, and the sense of inclusion that pervades all they do. The office of Inclusion, Diversity, and Equality is committed to fostering a welcoming environment no matter your belief system or background. And each and every one of those students could get involved in a range of activities and organizations dedicated to pursuing passion, enriching the community, or making a difference.

The Experiential Learning

At Smith College, learning happens in and out of the classroom. You could not only study theory and research and engage in classroom debates, but also apply that knowledge in the real-world. This hands-on experience could be valuable not just to contextualize learning, but also potentially to build out your resume.

For example, Smith College has robust experiential learning opportunities, especially in the realm of sustainability and social and community engagement. Want something a little more professional? The Center for Career Development may be able to help you find and apply to that internship you’ve been looking for.