Smith College
Responses from the Student Interview
From a student who identifies as Majors: Sociology and Education
Minor: None
Student Self Identifies as: White Gay Female
Summary
I’m a house president, so I run one of our dorms.
Background
Gender Identity: Female
Race/Ethnicity: White
Sexual Orientation: Gay
High School Experience: Public high school in Andover, Massachusetts with a graduating class of about 415 students. There was a culture of going to college.
First-Generation College Student: No
Majors: Sociology and Education
Minor: None
Extracurricular Activities: I’m a house president, so I run one of our dorms.
What impact has being a house president had on your experience?
It’s interesting. It kind of pulls the curtain behind the school a little bit. You get to see a bit of the good and the bad. It’s a lot of fun because you get to help a lot of the people who are struggling to find their path. It’s really rewarding because it helps everyone succeed.
Academic Experience
Can you describe the weekly coursework for your majors?
I have a lot of reading, some essays here and there, no quizzes or tests, no labs whatsoever, and lots of papers with finals coming up.
Is there anything you feel either of majors’ departments do especially well or poorly?
Both of my departments are great with disability accommodations, especially in Sociology. They’re really understanding and amazing. Any kind of problems I’ve had socially, academically, or mentally, they’ve been understanding and have worked with me. They’ve even given me extensions.
How would you describe the learning environment? Do you think it’s particularly competitive or collaborative?
I think both. They’re not mutually exclusive. I think you can compete with people while you’re also building them up. I think you kind of compete against yourself by trying to be the best person you can be, by competing against your past scores.
What is your favorite class you’ve taken for your majors?
My favorite class has been the Sociology of Sexuality. It’s very funny, quirky, and there’s a great professor. For Education, my favorite class was probably Counseling Theory and Education because the professor is also amazing.
What is your least favorite class you’ve taken for your majors?
My least favorite class in Sociology was Theories of Sociology. It’s half my professor who is a little old school, and I just don’t understand it very well. My least favorite for Education would’ve been learning Child Development because it was too scientific.
How accessible have the professors in your department been?
All over the place. For the most part they’re really great, you just walk in even if it’s not office hours. If they’re there, they’ll talk to you. A couple of them have been a little more difficult to schedule, but that’s because they’re department heads or they’re just really busy.
Why did you pick your combination of majors? Are you happy with your choice?
I was undeclared when I came in, and it’s kind of an accident that I fell into them. I took Sociology my first year. I was going to take Psychology, but I thought everyone was doing that. I didn’t know what Sociology was, but I ended up loving it. I took a couple more classes, then impulsively declared and never looked back. In Education, I loved the Sociology of Education, so I went to get a minor in it and accidentally fulfilled the major requirements.
Reasons to Attend
1) The communities and the house system as a whole.
2) The alumni network. I hear they’re absolutely amazing.
Reasons Not to Attend
1) If you don’t like small schools.
2) If you don’t like people in your business.
Around Campus
Where have you lived on and around campus?
Freshman: Chapin House with one roommate.
Sophomore: Chapin House with one roommate.
Junior: Chapin House in a single.
Senior: Chapin House in a single.
Chapin House is a mixed house with students from all four classes and all kinds of people.
How was transitioning from Andover to Northampton, MA?
It was pretty easy, it’s 2-hours away. I don’t get homesick or anything, it’s in the same state, and the areas aren’t too different.
Can you describe the level of safety you’ve experienced on and around campus?
I feel very safe around the other people at Smith. In the surrounding community, I almost always feel safe. We can be a target because we’re a college that is very liberal. There are times very conservative people will target us, and people have shouted at us while driving by.
What is your favorite off-campus restaurant?
Pita Pocket. They have really good hummus.
What is your favorite place to get away from campus?
Home. It’s really close, and I get to visit my mom.
Social Opportunities
What kind of nightlife or weekend activities do you participate in at Smith?
I like to hang out with my friends and have room gatherings. We’ll have eight or nine of us hanging out in our room, and we’ll do stuff together.
How happy are you with the weekend activities at Smith? Is there anything you would change if you could?
When I was younger a couple years ago, I’d wish there was more nightlife. Now that I’m older I don’t really care. Once or twice I went out to UMass, but I feel safer on my own campus, and getting there is a hassle. There are dorms known for being a little bit louder, and there are dorms known for being a little quieter. My dorm is in the middle of that spectrum. Each one kind of has its own life.
Campus Culture
What have been your favorite times at Smith?
Anything having to do with my house. I love my house, and we have great events which are so much fun because [everyone is so close]. I lucked out in that department.
How did you meet your closest friends?
I met them my first year because they also lived in my house. We bonded fast and have been good friends since.
How would you describe the overall social scene?
I think it socially still revolves around academics, which isn’t always a bad thing. A lot of the social life is studying with your friends.
To what extent do people of different races and sexual orientations mix socially?
I can’t speak for the entire school, but I have a lot of friends from different backgrounds. I have more Queer friends than straight friends. They are Queer to different degrees. I think people mix in houses and among sports teams. [33% of the undergraduate population are Students of Color, 18% are Underrepresented Minorities, and 14% are International.]
How would you describe the student body?
I think it’s really dedicated, smart, determined, and usually socially just. They are on top of fighting for causes.
How does the all-female population influence the social scene?
It’s not completely female because we have non-binary and transgender students. Once you get here, we always refer to us as traditionally female because there are people from all different genders. You just don’t think about it after a while. One good thing I noticed is how in high school all the boys would yell or talk over us women, and I felt like I could never get a word in. Here, everyone respects others voices.
How do you like the size of Smith in terms of undergraduate enrollment? [There are about 2,500 students at Smith.]
I love the smaller school compared to the other bigger schools. I think I can make personal connections easier because I see people a lot more, and I get to say hi to them because I recognize them from class. It’s easier to make connections.
How has identifying as LGBTQ influenced your nightlife experience?
I think I didn’t seek out going to UMass as much as my straight friends because I didn’t need to.
How strong is the LGBT community at Smith?
Very strong. It’s a huge percentage of the school. I think more than 50% identify as some form of Queer.
Do people generally seem happy with their choice of Smith by senior year? Do people leave loving Smith?
I think that like any other school we have our frustrations with the administration. I think everyone leaves with a love for the student body. I can only speak for myself in this situation, but I’m really grateful for the education I’m getting, and for the experiences and opportunities I’ve had.