The Smith Scholars Program is designed for highly motivated and talented students who want to spend two to four semesters working on projects of their own devising, freed (in varying degrees) from normal college requirements. A student may apply at any time after the first semester of her sophomore year and must submit a detailed statement of her program, an evaluation of her proposal and her capacity to complete it from those faculty who will advise her and two supporting recommendations from instructors who have taught her in class.

The deadlines for submission of proposals for the Smith Scholars Program are November 15 and April 15 of the student’s junior year. The proportion of work to be done in normal courses will be decided jointly by the student, her adviser(s) and the Subcommittee on Honors and Independent Programs. Work done in the program may result in a group of related papers, an original piece of work, such as a play, or some combination of these.

A Smith Scholar may or may not complete a regular departmental major. Further details, guidelines and applications are available from the dean of the senior class.