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Audacity, Agency, Authenticity.

A Culture of Care

Read Smith’s plans for the spring 2021 semester.
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Apply To Summer Programs

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The costs and application process reflected on this page relate to the Summer Precollege Programs only; see the Year-Round Programs pages for their associated fees and registration process. For Summer Precollege Programs, enrollment is limited to ensure a quality academic experience. The selective admissions process is based on a student’s academic performance, a written essay and a teacher recommendation. Students must have a strong record of academic achievement, a high level of motivation and a willingness to explore.

The summer precollege program application is now open.

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Tuition

Remote Summer Precollege Programs

Remote Session 1: June 28–July 9
Remote Session 2: July 12–23

Course choices: Students enrolled in the Summer Science & Engineering Program remotely select one or both SSEP courses within the session, but cannot take courses from the other programs. Students in any of the other programs offered remotely may mix and match courses; for example, a student can take one Creative Writing course and one Sustainable Futures course. Two online courses may be taken during the same session or different sessions, but the courses cannot have competing class times.

See the individual program pages for a full list of available courses for each session.

Program Title Tuition for One Course Tuition for Two Courses
College Admission Workshop $850 $2,425
Creative Writing Workshop $1,975 $3,150
Summer Science & Engineering Program $2,345 $3,750
Sustainable Futures $1,975 $3,150
Women, Gender & Representation $1,975 $3,150

On-Campus Summer Precollege Programs

On-Campus Session Dates: July 23–August 6
Early arrival is July 22, and the registration date is July 23. Classes begin on July 26. More information will be made available on the Life at Smith webpage. 

See the individual program pages for a full list of available courses for each session.

Program Title Tuition Can Students Take Other Courses Within the Session? 
College Admission Workshop $3,995 Yes, students are required to make a morning class selection.
Creative Writing Workshop $3,995 Yes
Summer Science & Engineering Program $4,285 No
Women, Gender & Representation $3,995 Yes


Deposit Upon Acceptance

A nonrefundable deposit is due within 10 business days of acceptance into a precollege program. Deposits are 25 percent of the total tuition fee.


Application Dates & Deadlines

January 25

2021 Program Application Opens
Admission outcomes are determined on a rolling basis. Students are encouraged to submit a completed application as soon as possible. Programs are closed once they reach capacity.
March 1

Priority Application Deadline

Financial Aid Deadline
Apply by the date if you are submitting a financial aid application. All applicants who are applying for financial aid will hear back by March 19 and on a rolling basis.
April 5

Application Fee Increases
The $50 application fee increases to $100.

Once all completed application materials are received, students are notified within 14 days of their acceptance status.

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Requirements

Academic Letter of Recommendation

All applicants must submit one academic recommendation from a teacher. In the application, applicants must submit the name and email address of their recommender. An email will be sent to the recommender with a form for them to complete.

Transcript

You can upload a transcript to your online application. Or, you can email or fax the transcript to the Office of Precollege Programs.

Financial Aid Form (If Applicable)

Smith Precollege Programs financial assistance is available to a limited number of participants and is awarded on the basis of demonstrated financial need and eligibility for the program. To be considered for financial aid, you must complete the financial aid section in the application and upload tax documentation.

Personal Essay

Please see the list on the right and respond to ONE question as your essay prompt. Your essay is meant to help our admission committee better understand you as a student and a person. Please give an in-depth and authentic response. We want to learn about you! Your essay should be 250-500 words. 

This workshop delves deeply into writing the college essay and doing college interviews. In which of these two topics would you like the most support, and why? What do you hope to learn in this workshop?

Please respond to ONE question as your essay prompt.
  1. Tell us about the experience, event, book, movie, person, place, etc. that initially sparked your interest in writing. What was it about this event, person, etc. that inspired you?
  2. What is an experience, a character or a story idea that you have been wanting to write about but haven’t yet put into words? Why do you want to tell this story?
Please respond to ONE question as your essay prompt.
  1. Tell us about the experience, event, book, movie, person, place, etc. that initially sparked your interest in science. What was it about this event, person, etc. that inspired you?
  2. Tell us why you want to attend an intensive program in your chosen field at Smith College?
Please respond to ONE question as your essay prompt.
  1. Tell us about an experience, event, book, movie, person, place, etc. that initially sparked your interest in issues related to sustainability, farming, and/or social justice. What was it about this event, person, etc. that inspired you?
  2. If you could spend time with any person (real or fictional, historic or contemporary) who would it be, what would you do, and why?
Please respond to ONE question as your essay prompt.
  1. Tell us about an experience, event, book, movie, person, place, etc. that initially sparked your interest in studying women, gender or representation. What was it about this event, person, etc. that inspired you?
  2. If you could spend time with any person (real or fictional, historic or contemporary) who would it be, what would you do, and why?

You can send your materials to:
Office of Precollege Programs | Smith College
30 Belmont Avenue
Northampton, MA 01063
summerprecollege@smith.edu | Fax: 413-585-4344

Financial Assistance

Smith Precollege Summer Programs financial aid is available to a limited number of participants and is awarded on the basis of demonstrated financial need and eligibility for the program. To be considered for financial aid, you must complete the financial aid section on the application and upload tax documentation.

Foundation Partners

Below is a list of the organizations and foundations that partner with Smith Precollege Programs. Some of these foundations work with high school students only from particular schools or communities where the foundation is located. Others work broadly, referring and recommending students from throughout the United States.

We value our engagement with these organizations. Many offer both financial support and ongoing relationships to their high-achieving young scholars, giving advice, support and assistance to students and their families through the Precollege application process.