Nestled in Northampton, Massachusetts, Smith College stands as a pillar of women’s education. As one of the largest women’s private liberal arts colleges in the nation, Smith offers a vibrant intellectual environment with over 50 areas of study and 1,000 courses, including popular majors like economics, psychology, biology, and government.
While undergraduate studies remain exclusively for women, Smith fosters a coeducational experience at the graduate level, fostering collaboration and diverse perspectives. Beyond academics, Smith provides unparalleled opportunities for applied learning through leadership roles, internships, and service initiatives, empowering students to connect theory with practice and deepen their knowledge.
Smith’s commitment to accessibility shines through its generous financial aid packages, which replaced loans with grants for need-based applicants in 2022. This commitment extends to campus life, where most undergraduates reside for four years, fostering a strong sense of community. With over 140 clubs and organizations and a campus-wide Student Government Association, Smith encourages active engagement and leadership amongst its student body.
The legacy of Smith extends far beyond its borders. Two former First Ladies, Nancy Reagan and Barbara Bush, are among the distinguished alumnae who have walked its halls. This rich history serves as a testament to the college’s unwavering dedication to empowering women to become leaders and changemakers in their chosen fields.
Smith College is more than just an institution; it’s a vibrant community where knowledge, opportunity, and support converge. It’s an invitation to embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery, intellectual exploration, and personal growth. Come discover your potential and write your own extraordinary story at Smith College.
Student Cohort Size
Smith College boasts a vibrant student body of 2,873, of which 2,523 are dedicated undergraduates. Notably, 13% of the student population hails from diverse international backgrounds, enriching the campus with a global perspective. This diverse and engaged community creates a dynamic and enriching learning environment where students can broaden their horizons and connect with peers from around the world.
Four-Year Completion Rate
The graduation rate is among the most important factors when selecting a college. Smith College’s first-year retention rate is 91%. This means that 91% of first-year students continue their education for their sophomore year and beyond. The 6-year graduation rate is 89%. This implies that 89% of students were able to graduate after 6 years.
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
At Smith College, personalized learning is the norm. With a student-to-faculty ratio of just 9:1, students have ample opportunities to interact with their professors and receive dedicated attention. This interaction extends beyond the classroom, as faculty hold regular office hours and are readily available for individual appointments.
Smith fosters a truly unique community where learning happens not only in classrooms, but also in the dining halls, tea houses, and other informal settings. This allows students to connect with faculty on a deeper level, fostering intellectual curiosity and a sense of belonging. The average class size at Smith is only 19 students. This intimate setting allows for robust discussion, personalized feedback, and the creation of strong bonds between classmates and professors.
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Smith College received 9,868 applications for the class of 2027. It was a 36% increase as compared to the previous year and Smith’s admit rate dropped to 19%. This surge reflected Smith’s burgeoning academic excellence reputation and dedication to attracting a diverse student body. Applications from international students grew by 51% and applications from students outside of the Northeast and New England regions increased by 40%, indicating Smith’s expanding reach and appeal.
Acceptance GPA
The average GPA of admitted students to Smith College is 3.84. 75% of admitted students have a GPA of at least 3.93, and 50% of admitted students have a GPA of at least 3.75. Only 25% of admitted students have a GPA below 3.50.
Types of Admission
Smith College applicants can apply through the Early Decision or Regular Decision programs. Early Decision is a binding admission plan for students who have determined that Smith College is their first choice and who feel they can present a strong application without senior grades being reviewed. Students admitted through the Early Decision admission plan are required to cancel their applications elsewhere and enroll in Smith College. Regular Decision is a non-binding and unrestrictive admission plan that allows students more time to complete the application and to have grades from the first term of their senior year considered in the review.
Application Components
All required parts of the Common App or Coalition Application.
Official high school transcript: An official high school transcript will display courses and grades for all years of high school attended.
Mid-year grades: Mid-year grades are the first semester or first trimester grades from your final year of high school.
Guidance Counselor letter of recommendation: The guidance counselor recommendation should detail academic and personal preparedness for post-secondary education.
Two academic teacher letters of recommendation: Recommendations must be from core academic teachers who worked with a student in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade.
Standardized Test Scores: While test scores are optional for students applying for fall 2023 and fall 2024, the average SAT scores for admitted students were between 1390 and 1500, and the average ACT scores were between 31 and 34.
Optional but highly recommended:
Applicant Interviews: Interviews are optional for first-year and transfer applicants and are conducted by Smith admission alum volunteers.
Art Supplement: Students with strong backgrounds in music, visual art, or dance are welcome to submit supplementary materials to support their application. You must submit all materials electronically using SlideRoom.
Academics
Smith College’s distinctive liberal arts framework equips students with a multifaceted lens through which to view the world’s past, present, and future. This comprehensive approach encourages exploration across seven key fields of knowledge, fostering a well-rounded understanding of human experience and the complexities of our world.
Embracing a Breadth of Knowledge: Each discipline within the framework, be it literature, historical studies, social science, natural science, mathematics and analytic philosophy, the arts, or a foreign language, offers invaluable insights into the world around us. Engaging with each field provides students with a richer understanding and fosters critical thinking abilities that extend beyond the confines of any single discipline.
Understanding the Past, Present, and Future: Delving into literature, students encounter diverse voices and artistic expressions that illuminate human experience across time and cultures. Historical studies offer invaluable context, allowing us to appreciate the development of society and culture, and liberate us from the limitations of the present.
Analyzing the Social World: Social science equips students with the tools to analyze human nature, social structures, and relationships, fostering critical thinking and a nuanced understanding of the complexities of human interaction.
Exploring the Natural World: Natural science unravels the mysteries of the world around us, providing a deeper appreciation for the universe and its intricate workings. Its impact on modern culture further underscores its significance in shaping our world.
Developing Rational Thought: Mathematics and analytic philosophy cultivate critical thinking skills and a profound understanding of formal reasoning. These disciplines equip students with the tools to analyze information, solve problems, and engage in informed discourse.
The Power of Artistic Expression: The arts offer a unique channel for exploring human emotions, values, and experiences across time. Through exposure to diverse artistic expressions, students gain a deeper understanding of the human condition and its creative potential.
Breaking Language Barriers: Acquiring a foreign language liberates individuals from the confines of their own culture and language. This opens doors to new perspectives, facilitates communication across borders, and enriches one’s understanding of the global community.
Fulfilling the Liberal Arts Framework: To cultivate a well-rounded understanding and qualify for Latin Honors or Liberal Arts Commendation, Smith College encourages students to explore at least one course in each of the seven major fields of knowledge. This journey of intellectual discovery fosters a comprehensive understanding of the world and equips students with the tools to navigate its complexities with both knowledge and empathy.
At Smith College, nearly half of all students pursue a STEM major, a stunning statistic that nearly doubles the national average for women. This vibrant community of female scientists, mathematicians, and engineers thrives in a supportive and collaborative environment, shattering stereotypes and proving that women excel in STEM fields.
Smith’s Writing Intensive Requirement:
During their first year at Smith College, all first-year students must complete at least one Writing Intensive (WI) course with a minimum grade of C-. This requirement reflects the faculty’s unwavering belief in the inextricable link between thinking and writing, recognizing their synergistic role in igniting students’ intellectual growth throughout their academic journeys.
Writing serves as a powerful tool for generating ideas, rigorously evaluating their validity against established standards of evidence and clarity within the liberal arts disciplines, and effectively communicating one’s thoughts and convictions to diverse audiences both within and beyond the classroom walls.
The WI program at Smith fosters an environment that actively encourages students to:
- Articulate well-defined theses or central arguments: Students learn to develop clear and focused arguments, effectively supporting their claims with concrete evidence and logical reasoning.
- Craft compelling and structured paragraphs: They acquire the skills to create paragraphs that are cohesive and organized, effectively transitioning between ideas and guiding the reader through their thought process.
- Develop an awareness of research tools and methodologies: Students gain valuable experience in utilizing library resources and employing appropriate research methods to support their written arguments.
- Integrate the work of others effectively and ethically: They learn to incorporate the work of other scholars and researchers into their writing seamlessly while ensuring proper citation and avoiding plagiarism.
- Develop a distinct and authentic voice: Students are encouraged to cultivate their unique writing style and express their ideas with clarity and confidence.
By completing a WI course, first-year students at Smith College embark on a transformative journey. They acquire not only essential writing skills but also a deeper understanding of critical thinking and effective communication, empowering them to become informed and articulate individuals who can confidently navigate the academic sphere and beyond.
Special Academic Programs
Five Colleges, One Education
Founded in 1965, the Five College Consortium stands as a pillar of American higher education, renowned for its collaborative spirit and academic excellence. This unique association brings together four prestigious private colleges – Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, and Smith – alongside the esteemed University of Massachusetts Amherst.
As a student within the Five College system, you’ll be empowered to explore a vast academic landscape, with over 5,000 undergraduate courses offered annually. This unprecedented access to a diverse range of disciplines allows you to tailor your learning journey, delve into your passions, and discover new areas of interest.
Beyond the classroom, seamless connectivity is woven into the fabric of the Five College experience. Fare-free buses operate throughout the day and night, enabling you to effortlessly navigate between campuses, attend lectures, participate in research collaborations, and forge connections with students and faculty across all five institutions.
Whether you seek to engage in cutting-edge research, explore interdisciplinary fields, or simply broaden your horizons, the Five College Consortium offers an unparalleled opportunity for academic exploration and personal growth. This vibrant community fosters a collaborative environment where diverse perspectives are celebrated and intellectual curiosity is ignited.
Cost of Attendance
| Direct Billed Costs | Cost (U.S. dollars) |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $64,870 |
| Food & Housing | $22,570 |
| Student Activities Fee | $308 |
| Health Insurance (domestic students may waive) | $3,014 |
To conclude, Smith College is more than just an institution of higher learning; it is a community of empowered individuals dedicated to intellectual exploration, personal growth, and positive change. With its unwavering commitment to knowledge, community, and generosity, Smith empowers its students to become leaders, innovators, and agents of positive change in the world.
Embark on a transformative higher education journey and elevate your path to academic success with the expert guidance and personalized support of an Ivy Central college counselor.
