Overview of Smith College

Smith College is a private women’s liberal arts institution situated in Northampton, Massachusetts. The institution has a large selection of undergraduate and graduate degree programs for students to choose from. A robust student/faculty ratio supports students, and professors take a personalized approach to the teaching and learning process. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations. Smith College plays in the NCAA Division III New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC).

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 2,903 (2,502 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 100 percent female
• 100 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $54,224
• Books: $800
• Room and Board: $18,130
• Other Expenses: $2,015
• Total Cost: $75,169

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 74 percent
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 69 percent
  • Loans: 51 percent

• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $42,165
  • Loans: $5,114

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Majors: Political Science and Government, General; Research and Experimental Psychology, Other; Economics, General; Biology/Biological Sciences, General; and English Language and Literature, General

Retention and Graduation

• First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 93 percent
• Transfer-Out Rate: 8%
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 83 percent
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 89 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Crew-Rowing, Field Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball

Overview of Smith College Admissions

Smith College, which accepts fewer than a third of applicants, has a competitive admissions pool. However, Smith is test-optional, meaning that students can select whether or not to submit scores from the SAT or ACT. This institution has a robust admissions process that involves a multitude of academic measures. Applicants must complete an online application. A persuasive essay and glowing recommendation letters can bolster your application, along with being involved with student organizations and attempting a challenging course load. Students with unique talents and accomplishments can still receive strong consideration even if their GPAs are outside of the admissions offices mean range. After applying, students will receive a message from an admissions counselor about the application process’s next steps. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices.

Admissions Data             

During the 2018-19 admissions phase, Smith College had an acceptance rate of 31%. For every 100 students who submitted applications, 31 students gained admission, making Smith’s admissions process very competitive.

SAT Requirements and Scores

During the 2018-19 admissions phase, 43% of students provided SAT scores. This admissions data reveals that of those students who provided scores during the 2018-19 admissions phase, most of Smith’s students score within the top 20% nationally on the SAT. 50% of students scored between 670 and 750 on the evidence-based reading and writing part, while 25% scored under 670 and 25% scored over 750. 50% of students scored between 670 and 770 on the math part, while 25% scored under 670, and 25% scored over 770. While the SAT is optional, this data reveals that a cumulative SAT score of 1520 or higher is competitive for Smith College.

ACT Requirements and Scores

During the 2018-19 admissions phase, 30% of students provided ACT scores. This admissions data reveals that of those who provided scores during the 2018-19 admissions phase, most of Smith’s students score within the top 5% nationally on the ACT. The median 50% of students admitted to Smith received a cumulative ACT score between 31 and 34, while 25% scored over 34, and 25% scored under 31.

GPA

In 2019, the mean high school GPA for  Smith College’s first-year students was 3.84, and nearly 84% of students had a mean GPA of 3.75 and over. Successful applicants have A grades primarily.

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for Smith College, it should be easy to gain admissions to the schools below. If Smith College is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

Binghamton University, University of California, Santa Barbara, University of Texas at Dallas, Stony Brook University, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, University of Connecticut, University of California, Davis

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for Smith College, you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

New York University, University of Southern California, University of Michigan, Emory University, Boston College, Boston University, University of California, Berkeley

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than Smith College. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.

Princeton University, Columbia University, Rice University, Stanford University, University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth College, Brown University

Applying to Smith College

Application Deadline: January 15

Undergraduate Admissions Website:

https://www.smith.edu/admission-aid

Undergraduate Application Link(s):

https://www.smith.edu/admission-aid/how-apply/first-year-students

Graduate Admissions Website:

https://www.smith.edu/academics/graduate-study

Graduate Application Link(s):

https://www.smith.edu/academics/graduate-study/how-to-apply