How to Get Accepted to Smith College

Is Smith College an Ivy League School?

Smith College is not an Ivy League school. The Ivy League is a group of eight private colleges and universities in the northeastern United States, known for their high academic standards, selective admissions, and prestigious reputation.

The Ivy League schools are:

• Brown University
• Columbia University
• Cornell University
• Dartmouth College
• Harvard University
• University of Pennsylvania
• Princeton University
• Yale University

Admission Requirements for Smith College

Smith College maintains a competitive admissions environment with an acceptance rate of 23%. Most admitted students present SAT scores ranging from 1370-1530 or ACT scores between 31 and 34, alongside a high school GPA of 3.98 or higher.

The standard application deadline falls on January 15, while early decision candidates must submit their applications by November 15. Though the college adopts a test-optional policy for U.S. citizens and permanent residents, international applicants must submit scores from standardized tests like the SAT, ACT, TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo English Test.

Required Application Materials for First-Year Applicants:

• Common Application or Coalition Application
• Secondary School Report with an official high school transcript
• Counselor’s Recommendation
• Two Letters of Recommendation from Teachers

Admitted students typically boast an average SAT score breakdown as follows: 720 in math, 710 in reading and writing, and a composite score of 1430.

Application Process for Smith College

Smith College allows applicants to submit either the Common Application or the Coalition Application. The application checklist includes several components:

• A supplemental essay specific to Smith College
• A secondary school report accompanied by an official high school transcript
• A recommendation letter from a counselor
• Two teacher evaluations
• A midyear academic report
• An Early Decision Agreement, if you’re applying via the early decision route

The final date to submit applications is February 1, and admission decisions are typically dispatched in late March.

Standardized Tests: What Tests Are Required for Smith College

Smith College has a test-optional policy in place for U.S. citizens and permanent residents since 2009, placing more emphasis on a comprehensive evaluation of each applicant. For international applicants, however, the following standardized tests are required:

• SAT
• ACT
• TOEFL
• IELTS
• PTE
• Duolingo English Test

The institution takes a holistic approach to admissions and doesn’t solely rely on standardized test scores to gauge academic potential.

Scholarships and Financial Aid at Smith College

Smith College Merit Scholarships Summary

General Information

• All applicants are automatically considered for merit-based awards; no special application needed.
• The Office of Admission selects recipients who must maintain satisfactory academic progress for annual renewal.
• Merit scholarships count as resources when determining eligibility for need-based aid.
• Merit aid is offered only at the time of admission.

Specific Scholarships

• Dora Windes Zollman Scholarships:
  • Covers half of tuition for four years
  • Awarded to fewer than 10 first-year students
  • Available only to U.S. citizens
  • Recipients are invited to participate in the STRIDE paid research program
• STRIDE Scholarships:
  • $22,500 per year for four years
  • Approximately 50 students are selected each year
  • Inclusion in a paid research assistantship with an annual stipend of $3,000 for two years
• Smith Presidential Scholarship:
  • $12,000 annually for four years
  • Awarded to select outstanding first-year applicants
• Springfield/Holyoke Partnership:
  • Full-tuition scholarships for students from specific public schools in Springfield and Holyoke, Massachusetts
  • Automatically considered
  • Available only to U.S. citizens
• Trustee Grant:
  • One-half of the annual tuition for daughters of current Northampton or Hatfield, Massachusetts residents
  • Eligibility requires at least a five-year residency in these towns
  • Not applicable for off-campus study

Top Undergraduate Programs at Smith College