Reason #8 You Should Visit
The Pioneer spirit
Academic Calendar
2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20
Please note that dates are subject to change. Visit the registrar’s calendar for detailed dates and deadlines.
Fall 2018
Friday, August 31
Central check-in for new students
Friday, August 31–Wednesday, September 5: Orientation
The week before the start of classes, new students gather to learn about the college and get to know each other.
Tuesday, September 4 and Wednesday, September 5, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Key pick-up (Clark Hall) and move-in for returning students
Wednesday, September 5
Opening convocation, 7 p.m.
Thursday, September 6
Classes begin at 8 a.m.
Wednesday, September 12
Last day to add a course online
Wednesday, September 19
Last day to drop a course online; last day to add a Five College course
Wednesday, September 26
Last day to add a Smith course
To be announced by the president: Mountain Day
Mountain Day is a surprise break from classes. The president chooses a beautiful fall day and announces the holiday by ringing the college bells. Classes scheduled before 7 p.m. are canceled.
Saturday, October 6–Tuesday, October 9
Autumn recess
Tuesday, October 23: Sherrerd Teaching Prize Ceremony
The Sherrerd Prize for Distinguished Teaching is given annually to Smith faculty members selected for their distinguished teaching records and demonstrated enthusiasm and excellence.
Friday, October 26–Sunday, October 28: Family Weekend
Students and their families are invited to attend concerts, lectures and panel discussions as well as athletic and social events.
Thursday, November 1: Otelia Cromwell Day
Otelia Cromwell Day is an annual slate of workshops, lectures, films and entertainment held to honor Smith’s first African American graduate. Afternoon and evening classes are canceled.
Monday, November 5–Friday, November 16
Advising and course registration for the spring 2019 semester
Wednesday, November 21–Sunday, November 25
Thanksgiving recess (houses close at 10 a.m. on November 21 and open at 1 p.m. on November 25)
Thursday, December 13
Last day of classes
Friday, December 14–Monday, December 17
Pre-examination study period
Tuesday, December 18–Friday, December 21
Final examinations
Saturday, December 22, 2018–Tuesday, January 1, 2019
Winter recess (houses close at 10 a.m. on December 22 and open at 1 p.m. on January 2)
Tuesday, January 8
Fall 2018 grades due
Interterm 2019
Thursday, January 3–Wednesday, January 23
During January interterm, the college is open, but residence is not required. Interterm provides time for students to investigate a special area of interest; to participate in courses, activities and conferences at Smith and other area colleges; to do work in libraries, museums, laboratories, etc.; to participate in internships; to work on research projects; or to enjoy the facilities of the campus at a more leisurely pace. No classes are held on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 21.
Houses open for returning students at 1 p.m. on January 2. Students returning from study abroad/away, readmitted students and transfers for the spring semester may move in Monday, January 21; keys may be picked up at Clark Hall from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Spring 2019
Thursday, January 24
Classes begin at 8 a.m.
Wednesday, January 30
Last day to add a course online
Wednesday, February 6
Last day to drop a course online; last day to add a Five College course
Wednesday, February 13
Last day to add a Smith course
Wednesday, February 20: Rally Day
Rally Day is highlighted by an all-college convocation at which distinguished alumnae are awarded the Smith College Medal, with a reception to follow. Afternoon classes are canceled.
Saturday, March 9–Sunday, March 17
Spring recess (houses close at 10 a.m. on March 9 and open at 1 p.m. on March 17)
Monday, April 1–Friday, April 12
Advising and course registration for the fall 2019 semester
TBA: Celebrating Collaborations
Celebrating Collaborations is Smith’s annual showcase of student research and performance, highlighting the collaborative efforts of students and faculty.
Thursday, May 2
Last day of classes; Wednesday afternoon classes meet
Friday, May 3–Monday, May 6
Pre-examination study period
Tuesday, May 7–Friday, May 10
Final examinations
Saturday, May 11
Houses close at 10 a.m. for all students except graduates, Commencement workers and those with Five College finals after May 11.
Monday, May 13
Senior grades due
Sunday, May 19: Commencement
Commencement Weekend is Smith’s final chance to honor its graduating seniors and to observe such traditions as Ivy Day and Illumination Night. The weekend culminates on Sunday when families, friends and seniors gather for the awarding of diplomas.
Monday, May 20
All houses close at noon
Monday, May 20
Non-senior grades due
Add the academic calendar to your Smith Google Apps calendar! Under "Other Calendars," type "academiccalendar" into the "Add a coworker's calendar" field. Or get the academic calendar for Apple’s Calendar app.
Please note that dates are subject to change. Visit the registrar’s calendar for detailed dates and deadlines.
Fall 2019
Friday, August 30
Central check-in for new students
Tuesday, September 3, 1–4 p.m.
Wednesday, September 4, 10 a.m.–noon
Key pick-up for returning students
Friday, August 30–Wednesday, September 4: Orientation
The week before the start of classes, new students gather to learn about the college and get to know each other.
Wednesday, September 4
Opening convocation, 7 p.m.
Thursday, September 5
Classes begin at 8 a.m.
Wednesday, September 11
Last day to add a course online
Wednesday, September 18
Last day to drop a course online; last day to add a Five College course
Wednesday, September 25
Last day to add a Smith course
To be announced by the president: Mountain Day
Mountain Day is a surprise break from classes. The president chooses a beautiful fall day and announces the holiday by ringing the college bells. Classes scheduled before 7 p.m. are canceled.
Saturday, October 12–Tuesday, October 15
Autumn recess
TBA: Sherrerd Teaching Prize Ceremony
The Sherrerd Prize for Distinguished Teaching is given annually to Smith faculty members selected for their distinguished teaching records and demonstrated enthusiasm and excellence.
Friday, October 25–Sunday, October 27: Family Weekend
Students and their families are invited to attend concerts, lectures and panel discussions as well as athletic and social events.
Monday, November 4–Friday, November 15
Advising and course registration for the spring 2020 semester
Thursday, November 7 (tentative): Otelia Cromwell Day
Otelia Cromwell Day is an annual slate of workshops, lectures, films and entertainment held to honor Smith’s first African American graduate. Afternoon and evening classes are canceled.
Wednesday, November 27–Sunday, December 1
Thanksgiving recess (houses close at 10 a.m. on November 27 and open at 1 p.m. on December 1)
Thursday, December 12
Last day of classes
Friday, December 13–Monday, December 16
Pre-examination study period
Tuesday, December 17–Friday, December 20
Final examinations
Saturday, December 21, 2019–Sunday, January 5, 2020
Winter recess (houses close at 10 a.m. on December 21 and open at 1 p.m. on January 5)
Wednesday, January 8
Fall 2019 grades due
Interterm 2020
Monday, January 6–Friday, January 24
During January interterm, the college is open, but residence is not required. Interterm provides time for students to investigate a special area of interest; to participate in courses, activities and conferences at Smith and other area colleges; to do work in libraries, museums, laboratories, etc.; to participate in internships; to work on research projects; or to enjoy the facilities of the campus at a more leisurely pace. No classes are held on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 20.
Spring 2020
Thursday, January 23–Sunday, January 26
Orientation for entering students
Monday, January 27
Classes begin at 8 a.m.
Friday, January 31
Last day to add a course online
Friday, February 7
Last day to drop a course online; last day to add a Five College course
Friday, February 14
Last day to add a Smith course
Wednesday, February 19: Rally Day
Rally Day is highlighted by an all-college convocation at which distinguished alumnae are awarded the Smith College Medal, with a reception to follow. Afternoon classes are canceled.
Saturday, March 14–Sunday, March 22 (tentative)
Spring recess (houses close at 10 a.m. on March 14 and open at 1 p.m. on March 22)
Monday, March 30–Friday, April 10
Advising and course registration for the fall 2020 semester
TBA: Celebrating Collaborations
Celebrating Collaborations is Smith’s annual showcase of student research and performance, highlighting the collaborative efforts of students and faculty.
Friday, May 1
Last day of classes
Saturday, May 2–Monday, May 4
Pre-examination study period
Tuesday, May 5–Friday, May 8
Final examinations
Saturday, May 9
Houses close at 10 a.m. for all students except graduates, Commencement workers and those with Five College finals after May 9
Monday, May 11
Senior grades due
Sunday, May 17: Commencement
Commencement Weekend is Smith’s final chance to honor its graduating seniors and to observe such traditions as Ivy Day and Illumination Night. The weekend culminates on Sunday when families, friends and seniors gather for the awarding of diplomas.
Monday, May 18
All houses close at noon
Monday, May 18
Non-senior grades due
Add the academic calendar to your Smith Google Apps calendar! Under "Other Calendars," type "academiccalendar" into the "Add a coworker's calendar" field. Or get the academic calendar for Apple’s Calendar app.
Please note that dates are subject to change. Visit the registrar’s calendar for detailed dates and deadlines.
| Fall Semester | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
| Labor Day | September 4 | September 3 | September 2 |
| Classes Begin | September 7 | September 6 | September 5 |
| Last day to add a course online | September 13 | September 12 | September 11 |
| Last day to drop a course online; last day to add a Five College course |
September 20 | September 19 | September 18 |
| Last day to add a Smith course | September 27 | September 26 | September 25 |
| Fall Break | October 7–10 | October 6–9 | October 12–15 |
| Family Weekend | October 13–15 | October 26–28 | October 25–27 |
| Otelia Cromwell Day | November 2 | November 1 | November 6 (tentative) |
| Spring Advising/Registration | November 6-17 | November 5–16 | November 4–15 |
| Thanksgiving Break | November 22-26 | November 21–25 | November 27–December 1 |
| Classes End | December 14 | December 13 | December 12 |
| Pre-exam Study Period | December 15–18 | December 14–17 | December 13–16 |
| Examinations | December 19–22 | December 18–21 | December 17–20 |
| Winter Recess | December 23– January 1 |
December 22– January 1 |
December 21–January 5 |
| Fall grades due | January 8, 2018 | January 8, 2019 | January 8, 2020 |
| Interterm | January 3–23, 2018 | January 3–23, 2019 | January 6–24, 2020 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | January 15 | January 21 | January 20 |
| Spring Semester | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
| Classes Begin | January 25 | January 24 | January 27 |
| Last day to add a course online | January 31 | January 30 | January 31 |
| Last day to drop a course online; last day to add a Five College course |
February 7 | February 6 | February 7 |
| Last day to add a Smith course | February 14 | February 13 | February 14 |
| Rally Day | February 21 | February 20 | February 19 |
| Spring Break | March 10–18 | March 9–17 | March 14–22 (tentative) |
| Fall Advising/Registration | April 2–13 | April 1–12 | March 30–April 10 |
| Classes End | May 3 | May 2 | May 1 |
| Pre-exam Study Period | May 4–7 | May 3–6 | May 2–4 |
| Examinations | May 8–11 | May 7–10 | May 5–8 |
| Senior grades due | May 14 | May 13 | May 11 |
| Commencement | May 20 | May 19 | May 17 |
| Non-senior grades due | May 21 | May 20 | May 18 |
