Smith College: would a straight cis-gender girl feel out of place?

[Anonymous]

We liked the social vibe at MHC more than Smith.

Some people complain that these types of schools have SUCH a social warrior flavor that it is too easy to offend someone every time you open your mouth. That might be hard for someone shy. Here is an example: someone suggested their group meet on the stairs of the library. She was attacked for choosing a location that was oppressive to people with mobility issues. I know MHC has stopped describing emphasizing their history as a women's college, in lieue of saying "we are proud of our legacy of serving marginalized genders."

Great school academically, just trying to help you find the best fit for your child.

[Anonymous]

One of my FAVORITE parts of MHC is that they teach their students to be leaders (and students are SURROUNDED by successful women everywhere). That philosophy might REALLY launch a shy young woman. Same is likely true at Smith.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We've looked at Smith and Mt. Holyoke. Smith seems angrier and more SJW-ish to us. Mt. Holyoke, while still oppressively liberal, seems a little bit "nicer" by comparison. Just the vibe we get.

What exactly is your experience in comparing the 2 schools? How much time did you spend at each and under what circumstances, ie I went on a tour or I spent the weekend there with my niece or somewhere in between.

[Anonymous]

Friend’s daughter got a FULL ride to MHC and <$20K to Smith. She chose Smith and doesn’t regret it a bit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Friend’s daughter got a FULL ride to MHC and <$20K to Smith. She chose Smith and doesn’t regret it a bit.

And she is cis-gendered and straight.

[Anonymous]

Take a close look at MHC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would urge her to opt for another school. Meeting guys shouldn't be hard work. As for taking classes at another school, it's a time suck. Take the bus, take the class, get back on the bus.

Agree and have student doing this. Real time suck and awkward.
OP I don’t know if Smith the best fit for your DD.

[Anonymous]

Schools that are small and SJW vibe are a nightmare to those that aren’t. The W stands for Warrior and they are ready to pick a fight anytime anywhere over anything. It’s OK if you are one also but if your are not it’s a big pain and total waste of time — even for those who want to stay neutral. There is no neutral. Speaking from experience here.

[Anonymous]

Don't laugh but Grandma graduated from MHC in 1928.
They have a very active alumni department. Even in
Grandma's late 80's the college was doing outreach so that
Grandma could attend alumni functions.

Grandma met Grandpa at the wedding of a friend. Grandpa
went to Swarthmore. Grandpa flunked out of Swarthmore one
year so it took him 5 years to graduate. Grandpa always
felt that Grandma was much better educated than him and
that MHC was the better college.

Grandma was lifelong friends with her classmates from MHC.

There are very nice folk at the college. I'd recommend spending several days there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to Wellesley. Great education, but terrible social scene if you want to get to know guys as friends and not just as boyfriends. A shy girl will have a particularly hard time at any women's college. I would advise your DD to look at coed SLACs.

I went to MHC and second this. The social scene is not easy for hetero women, you have to seek it out and it can be a bit forced.

[Anonymous]

Has she considered Bard or Sarah Lawrence? If she likes Smith she'd love those schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to Wellesley. Great education, but terrible social scene if you want to get to know guys as friends and not just as boyfriends. A shy girl will have a particularly hard time at any women's college. I would advise your DD to look at coed SLACs.

I went to MHC and second this. The social scene is not easy for hetero women, you have to seek it out and it can be a bit forced.

You think it’s going to be ok being cis at these schools but it’s not. And people saying they went 10-20 years ago. It’s NOT like that now. It’s a problem because why do you think all these SHW are here and not at other colleges?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to Wellesley. Great education, but terrible social scene if you want to get to know guys as friends and not just as boyfriends. A shy girl will have a particularly hard time at any women's college. I would advise your DD to look at coed SLACs.

I went to MHC and second this. The social scene is not easy for hetero women, you have to seek it out and it can be a bit forced.

You think it’s going to be ok being cis at these schools but it’s not. And people saying they went 10-20 years ago. It’s NOT like that now. It’s a problem because why do you think all these SHW are here and not at other colleges?

NP. Ok, so are there schools out there that would be a fit for a cerebral, shy, political liberal but otherwise fairly conventional girl?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to Wellesley. Great education, but terrible social scene if you want to get to know guys as friends and not just as boyfriends. A shy girl will have a particularly hard time at any women's college. I would advise your DD to look at coed SLACs.

I went to MHC and second this. The social scene is not easy for hetero women, you have to seek it out and it can be a bit forced.

You think it’s going to be ok being cis at these schools but it’s not. And people saying they went 10-20 years ago. It’s NOT like that now. It’s a problem because why do you think all these SHW are here and not at other colleges?

NP. Ok, so are there schools out there that would be a fit for a cerebral, shy, political liberal but otherwise fairly conventional girl?

Smith would be perfect for her. This describes my friend’s daughter to a tee. They just dropped her off at Smith for her second year. Loves it.

[Anonymous]

My AA straight cousin graduated Smith 2 years ago and had a wonderful time, and so glad she chose Smith. She’s lively, not at all shy. She didn’t date much though, more groups of friends.