First-Year Applicants

About Early Decision

Early Decision is a binding commitment and is intended for students who have determined that Smith is their first choice. An Early Decision candidate may be admitted, deferred to Regular Decision or denied. If you are admitted under the Early Decision plan, you must enroll at Smith and withdraw all other college applications.

In accordance with the National Association of College Admission Counseling policy: "Should a student who applies for financial aid not be offered an award that makes attendance possible, the student may decline the offer of admission and be released from the Early Decision commitment."

Deferred applicants are reconsidered with regular decision applications in the spring. Decision mailings are sent mid-December.

Where to Send Forms

You can send your documents to us by email, through the mail or via fax. Please make copies of all documents submitted.

Office of Admission
Smith College
7 College Lane
Northampton, MA 01063

Fax: 413-585-2527
admission@smith.edu

About Early Decision

Early Decision is a binding commitment and is intended for students who have determined that Smith is their first choice. An Early Decision candidate may be admitted, deferred to Regular Decision or denied. If you are admitted under the Early Decision plan, you must enroll at Smith and withdraw all other college applications.

In accordance with the National Association of College Admission Counseling policy: "Should a student who applies for financial aid not be offered an award that makes attendance possible, the student may decline the offer of admission and be released from the Early Decision commitment."

Deferred applicants are reconsidered with regular decision applications in the spring. Decision mailings are sent in late January.

Where to Send Forms

You can send your documents to us by email, through the mail or via fax. Please make copies of all documents submitted.

Office of Admission
Smith College
7 College Lane
Northampton, MA 01063

Fax: 413-585-2527
admission@smith.edu

Decision mailings are sent in late March.

*If you are unable to provide the Midyear School Report by February 15, please send it to us as soon as possible.

Where to Send Forms

You can send your documents to us by email, through the mail or via fax. Please make copies of all documents submitted.

Office of Admission
Smith College
7 College Lane
Northampton, MA 01063

Fax: 413-585-2527
admission@smith.edu

Smith College has been test-optional since 2009 and remains test-optional today.

Our admission process is holistic.

At Smith we look at the whole applicant and do not rely on a test score to define your potential for academic success. Your academic record, extracurricular activities, essay, recommendation letters, personal accomplishments and characteristics, and engagement in your community are all carefully considered during our review and selection process.

Unsure about whether to submit your scores?

If you are unsure of whether you should submit your test scores, we advise you to base your decision on whether you feel that your standardized test scores accurately reflect your academic ability and potential, or highlight an academic strength. If you choose not to submit test scores, you will in no way be disadvantaged in the admission process.

Does the test optional policy apply to both US Citizens and International citizens?

The submission of SAT or ACT scores is optional for all applicants.

International applicants are required to demonstrate English proficiency and may be required to submit testing. International citizens whose primary language is not English or have not attended a school at which English is the primary language of instruction will be required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or the Duolingo English Test/DET. Applicants may be exempt from this requirement if they:

• Identify English as their first language;
• Have attended a school in which the primary language of instruction is English for the duration of their secondary school career;
• Have attended a school in the United States and been instructed in English for at least two years;
• Are enrolled in or have completed the IB Diploma Program or A level curriculum taught in English.

Please note that the test requirement is based on citizenship, not on where a student attends school.

Undocumented and DACA Students: Undocumented and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students follow the procedures and requirements for first-year or transfer admission. They are evaluated in the same way as U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents; SAT or ACT scores are optional.

A maximum of one semester (16 credits) earned through any combination of AP, IB, and college credit while in high school may be applied toward your Smith degree. Pre-matriculation credit may be used only:

1. to make up a shortage of credits incurred through failure
2. with the approval of the administrative board, to make up a shortage of credit incurred as a result of dropping a course for reasons of health
3. to undertake an accelerated course program

Credits are recorded for scores of 4 or 5 on most Advanced Placement examinations. The credits allotted are determined by the individual department.

Smith will award up to a semester's worth of credit if you have taken part in an International Baccalaureate program. The exact amount of credit will be determined once an official copy of results has been sent to the registrar’s office.

Smith is a women’s college and considers for admission any applicants who self-identify as women; cis, trans, and nonbinary women are eligible to apply to Smith.

Undocumented and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students follow the procedures and requirements for first-year or transfer admission. They are evaluated in the same way as U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents; SAT or ACT scores are optional. Undocumented and DACA students should indicate “Non-citizen” or “Other” in the citizenship field on the Common Application. Because we want to obtain a comprehensive picture of the student’s background and experiences in the context of her school and community, we encourage undocumented and DACA applicants to disclose their citizenship status in the application. Undocumented and DACA students may apply under any admission plan, including Early Decision.

Smith meets 100 percent of the demonstrated need of all admitted students who apply for financial aid by the published deadlines. Because federal financial aid is not available for undocumented and DACA students, Smith provides institutional, need-based financial aid in its place.

Please be in touch with the admission office if you have further questions.

Admitted students who wish to defer their enrollment should send a letter to Dean of Admission Deanna Dixon, or send an email to the admission office. Please state the reasons for deferral and explain your plans for the next year. You must pay your enrollment deposit by the published deadline to hold your space in next year's class.

We must have your request in our office by May 15.