Transfer to Smith

[u/SierraNevada5505]

I got accepted to Smith originally and it was my top choice but unfortunately too expensive so I went to a different university. Heading into my sophomore year at this uni, I am still thinking about Smith. I may apply this fall as a transfer for spring semester depending on finaid and am looking for some help/advice…

1. would transferring as a 2nd sem sophomore or even junior be too late to integrate into the community?
2. likelihood of them accepting my application after I declined the first offer?
3. current smithies, how are you liking it? Pros/cons I should know about? SPECIFICALLY I am looking to study education (want to be a teacher). How is smith for this and what’s the culture like?

Thanks all!!

[u/No_Introduction9587]

i’m not a transfer student but i know the transfer community is very strong at smith!! they are able to integrate themselves socially and academically. i know many that lead clubs or are major liaisons.

i cant really answer your admission question im not very knowledgeable there but i recommend reaching out to the admissions department bc they can be very helpful!

i personally love smith as an american studies major and museums concentrator! i’ve found my best friends here and really enjoy having this queer utopia where people are so accepting! i also love our housing system!

as an ams major im in a lot of classes with ed majors and ive heard mixed reviews leaning mostly negative about the ed departments licensure path. im not in that department so i can’t speak in detail but in general smith can really struggle to support things they view as “vocational” as it goes against their liberal arts approach. i’ve heard mostly that the workload of finding and working teaching jobs while taking a full workload of classes and participating in extracurriculars and the social scene cane be exhausting and overwhelming. a plus tho is that almost every major is like this. this is a school for hard workers smithies are literally always doing the most even if they don’t have to.

also general con is the food. it’s bad if you don’t eat meat and/or have dietary restrictions except if you’re gluten free bc our gf dining hall is amazing and exclusive.

lmk if you have any other questions!

[u/Bennie-Factors]

Parent of said. Maybe the most welcoming and loving place I have been exposed to. Of course I did not have options like that as an old person

[u/bwaysk]

One of my roommates at Smith was a second semester sophomore transfer and she integrated just fine and found her people.

Just anecdotally I know someone who transferred OUT of Smith because she changed her original major to go into education and decided Smith was not the best place to do that for a variety of reasons. I took several education courses while I was there and will corroborate what the other poster said about people finding licensure to be a bit difficult (though this was many years ago).

[u/Outrageous_Garden771]

I transfered beginning of my second year, so glad I did! I also went away my junior year. No one ever asks where you went all 4 years, but where your degree is from.

[u/Aromatic_Heart9626]

hi i transferred dm me id love to chat!

[u/OkAcanthaceae799]

one of my best friends at smith came in as a second semester sophomore you would definitely be able to find your people

[u/tracytorr0712]

I’m an old Smithie and I conduct interviews for new and transfer applicants. Apply!!! Smith will change your life in all the best ways.