If you’re reading this page, you’re likely wondering if your daughter has what it takes to be a Smith woman. She’d be in good company: Sylvia Plath, Tammy Baldwin, Gloria Steinem, Barbara Bush, Margaret Mitchell, Betty Friedan, and more all graduated from Smith College. We’re going to answer all your admissions questions and more. But first, let’s learn more about Smith! 

About Smith College 

Smith College is in the charming town of Northampton, Massachusetts, which is full of independent coffee shops, used bookstores, and old-fashioned ice cream parlors. It’s like what Harvard Square used to be when they filmed Good Will Hunting before it became taken over by banks, Starbucks, and Sweetgreen. Smith has around 2,500 undergraduates, making it a small school. But students at Smith get to cross-register with nearby schools, Mount Holyoke (also an all-women’s college), Amherst College, UMass Amherst, and Hampshire College. 

Smith College puts an emphasis on campus community with its house system, which places students from different grades under one roof to ensure collegiality and sisterhood. US World & News Report ranks Smith College number thirteen among national liberal arts colleges. 

Smith has an acceptance rate of 21%.  Getting in will require strategic planning (and the help of Ivy Coach’s college admissions experts certainly wouldn’t hurt!). 

Smith College Admissions Requirements

Obviously, GPA, standardized testing scores, and extracurricular achievements are the key components of a successful application to Smith College and to any school. That being said, what do these components actually look like for Smith admits? Without further ado, let’s dive in!

What Kind of GPA Is Necessary To Get Into Smith College?

The following is the GPA breakdown of the members of Smith’s Class of 2028 (the most recently admitted cohort for which the data is publicly available):

GPA	Percentage of Smith College Class of 2028
4.0	82%
3.75-3.99	15%
3.5-3.74	3%
3.25-3.49	1%
3.0-3.24	0%
2.5-2.99	0%
2.0-2.49	0%
1.0-1.99

What Kind of SAT or ACT Scores Are Needed To Get Into Smith College?

The average SAT score for the Smith College Class of 2028 was a 1480, and the average ACT score was a 32. Though Smith is test-optional, we at Ivy Coach believe that not submitting test scores can only ever hurt an applicant’s chances, even to supposedly test-optional schools. 

What Classes Do Students Need to Take to Get Into Smith College?

While Smith College does not explicitly state any minimum high school course preparation for applicants, we at Ivy Coach know that highly selective colleges like Smith want to see students excelling in each core subject (English, history, math, science, and foreign language) all four years of high school. In fact, they expect to see five years for foreign language since most students begin their first level of foreign language in eighth grade.

What Kinds of Extracurriculars Does Smith College Like To See?

We’re going to clear up a common misunderstanding: highly selective colleges are not looking for well-rounded students. They’re looking for a well-rounded student body comprised of students who are each singularly talented. 

In terms of extracurriculars, that means Smith College is looking for depth over breadth. If you’re a member of the debate team, the robotics team, the field hockey team, and the drama department…well, then, you’re merely a member of those groups. You don’t stand out in any of these pursuits. Smith College would much rather accept a nationally ranked debate champ than a kid who spent an hour or two on debate a week because he spent the rest forgetting Shakespeare lines and fumbling the ball in football practice. 

Smith College Application Requirements

Smith accepts the Common App or Coalition App. They ask students to send two teacher recommendations. Additionally, applicants must respond to the following supplemental question: 

• Smith has a unique housing system, where students of all class years live together in 41 different houses. With our Residential Curriculum, students will become critically aware global neighbors, exploring their self-identity by living in community, engaging in reflection and challenging their own beliefs. What personal experiences, background or abilities would you bring to this residential environment to share with your neighbors and what would you hope your neighbors would share with you? (250 words)

Who Should Students Ask For Letters of Recommendation For Smith? 

Smith applicants should ask two teachers, ideally two junior year teachers in core subjects. Obviously, the applicant should have a good relationship with the teacher or at least have performed well in their class. In addition, at least one of the recommenders’ subject area should be related to the student’s hook: if a student’s singular hook is studying fruit fly DNA, it wouldn’t make sense if their recommenders were their History and English teachers. 

Does Smith College Require An Interview? 

Yes, Smith offers optional interviews. We highly encourage serious applicants to take advantage of this opportunity! 

What Are Smith College’s Application Deadlines? 

Early Decision I applications to Smith College are due Nov. 15. Early Decision II are due Jan. 5 and Regular Decision applications are due Jan. 15. 

How Ivy Coach Helps Students Get Into Smith College 

If you’re interested in discerning if your child has a shot of getting into Smith College, we recommend setting up Ivy Coach’s Strategy Session. Not only will you find out if your child has a chance of getting into Smith College, but you’ll receive a game plan of how your child can optimize their admission to the best school possible.