Undocumented Students Handout.pdf First-Year Applicants
Who goes to Smith? We could quote statistics on geographic distribution, class rank and College Board examination scores. But statistics do little to give you a sense of the vibrancy, intelligence and talent of the women who choose Smith. Every incoming class includes some who have unusual talents and maybe some yet to be discovered. Though diverse, all have strong academic records, as well as several other attributes that the board of admission seeks: motivation, determination and curiosity.
You can apply to Smith under one of three decision plans: Early Decision I, Early Decision II, and Regular Decision.
Ready to Apply to Smith?
Smith accepts two applications for first-year admission—the Coalition Application and the Common Application. Smith does not have a preference for one application over the other. There is no application fee.
Forms & Deadlines
Deferred applicants are reconsidered with regular decision applications in the spring. Decision mailings are sent mid-December.
| Early Decision Agreement | November 15 | |
| Common Application or Coalition Application |
November 15 | |
| Secondary School Report | November 15 | |
| Counselor Recommendation | November 15 | |
| Two Teacher Evaluations | November 15 | |
| Standardized Test Scores (optional) | November 15 | |
| First-quarter or First-trimester Senior Grades | As soon as grades become available | |
| Financial Aid Materials | See Tuition & Financial Aid for deadlines | |
| Midyear School Report | As soon as grades become available |
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
Deferred applicants are reconsidered with regular decision applications in the spring. Decision mailings are sent in late January.
| Early Decision Agreement | January 1 | |
| Common Application or Coalition Application |
January 1 | |
| Secondary School Report | January 1 | |
| Counselor Recommendation | January 1 | |
| Two Teacher Evaluations | January 1 | |
| First-quarter or First-trimester Senior Grades | As soon as grades become available | |
| Midyear School Report (if available) | January 1 | |
| Standardized Test Scores (optional) | January 1 | |
| Financial Aid Materials | See Tuition & Financial Aid for deadlines |
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
Decision mailings are sent in late March.
| Common Application or Coalition Application |
January 15 | |
| Secondary School Report | January 15 | |
| Counselor Recommendation | January 15 | |
| Two Teacher Evaluations | January 15 | |
| Standardized Test Scores (optional) | January 15 | |
| Midyear School Report | February 15* | |
| Financial Aid Materials | See Tuition & Financial Aid for deadlines |
*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
Required Materials
Smith accepts two applications for first-year admission—the Common Application and the Coalition Application. Smith does not have a preference for one application over the other; both of these application types will receive equal consideration in our admission process. All required forms and instructions for completing each application are available on the application web sites.
- Common Application or Coalition Application
- Secondary School Report, including official high school transcript
- Counselor Recommendation
- Two Teacher Evaluation Forms
- Midyear Report
- Early Decision Agreement (if applicable)
Applicant Interviews
Interviews are optional for first-year and transfer applicants, and are conducted by Smith admission alum volunteers. Upon submission of your application to Smith, instructions for requesting an interview will be available on your applicant status portal.
Standardized Testing Policy
Smith has a test-optional standardized testing policy.
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.
Undocumented 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. 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.
For more information about resources for undocumented students, visit our Immigration Policy Resources and Responses site.
Art Supplement
Students with strong backgrounds in music, visual art or dance are welcome to submit supplementary materials to support their application. Materials in other genres are not accepted or reviewed. Please note that you must submit all materials electronically using SlideRoom (not via regular mail). Materials will be accepted beginning August 1 through February 1. Portfolios started by February 1 must be completed by February 15 or they will not be reviewed.
Financial Assistance
If you intend to apply for financial aid, you must do so when you apply for admission and by the published deadlines.
U.S. citizens who do not apply for financial aid by the published deadlines will be required to complete 64 credits earned at Smith before they are eligible to apply for institutional financial aid. This means that a student would be eligible to receive only federal, state and outside aid for her first two years at Smith; no Smith grant aid would be available before that period.
International students who do not apply by the published deadlines prior to admission are ineligible to receive institutional financial aid from the college at any time. International transfer students who are applying for need-based aid may not apply for January entrance.
Visit Tuition & Financial Aid for financial aid deadlines and information and instructions on applying for financial aid.
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."
Deferring Enrollment
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.
AP, IB and College Credit
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:
- to make up a shortage of credits incurred through failure
- 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
- 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.
Transgender Applicants
People who identify as women—cis, trans and nonbinary women—are eligible to apply to Smith. For more information see Gender Identity and Expression.
Request More Information
If you are interested in applying to Smith, please fill out this form to request more information.
