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Over the years, the
Ada Comstock Scholars Program has assumed a position of national
leadership, serving as a model for similar programs all over
the country. This success is due to the creative and
effective ways in which traditional student services have
been modified and new ones have been designed to meet the
particular needs of Ada Comstock Scholars.
The Ada Comstock Admission Adviser guides prospective students through the admission process and serves as a resource for Adas throughout their time at Smith.
The orientation process
for Ada Comstock Scholars begins with the April reception
for newly admitted students, where faculty and administrators
answer questions and students are introduced to one another.
Current Ada Comstock
Scholars volunteer to be “matched
up” with entering
students as peer advisers. During the summer, peer advisers contact new students,
offering to help smooth the transition by answering questions and providing information.
Special orientation
meetings for Ada Comstock Scholars provide important information
about registration and campus life.
Before
she selects a major, an Ada Comstock student is assigned
a premajor adviser, someone who recognizes the difficulty
of scheduling classes if nonacademic responsibilities need
to be considered. Once an Ada Comstock Scholar declares
her major, she chooses her adviser from within that academic
department.
Smith’s academic development
office, the Jacobson Center for Writing, Teaching and Learning,
gives
academic advice and support to all Smith students and offers
special tutorials for Ada Comstock Scholars to review and strengthen their academic
skills. In addition, workshops and tutorials are available for students with
all levels of computer skills.
The Career Development Office
provides many services for students beyond the traditional
college age, including
individual counseling, workshops and recruiting
opportunities. The staff, which serves all Smith students and alumnae throughout
their lives, is committed to educating employers about the benefits of hiring
women who have returned to school and will reenter the workforce with new skills.
The Office of Disability Services
facilitates equal access for students, faculty, and staff
with disabilities
to programs
and activities at Smith College. The
office helps arrange accommodations and services for students with documented
disabilities.
Accommodations and services
are determined on an individual basis and may include books
on tape, sign language interpreters, dietary adjustments
or extended time for testing. Smith’s strong institutional commitment
to providing accommodations and services is balanced with a humanistic approach
that enhances independence and recognizes the uniqueness of each Smith student.
The Helen Hills Hills
Chapel , Smith's interreligious center, sponsors services,
discussion groups and counsel. The chapel offers a peaceful
space for reflection and meditation.
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