Class Resources by Year

There’s a lot to keep track of as you engage with your academics at Smith! On this page, each class dean has created a brief overview of what to expect each year and curated some resources you are likely to need. Some resources commonly used by everyone can be found first.

Resources for Everyone

Academic Procedures & Forms Frequently Asked Questions A to Z Index

For First-Years

Welcome to Smith—we’re so glad you’re here! This is an exciting time for you where everything is new. As you settle into your life at Smith, you will have questions. There are many resources available to you. You can think of your class dean as someone who knows a lot about how Smith works and wants to support you in your academic interests, goals, and overall experience. Your class dean offers counseling about academic matters, such as college requirements, monitoring credit loads, graduation status, and exceptions to academic rules. She can also provide referrals to both academic and nonacademic resources and support you when circumstances interfere with your academics.

Advising

Your Liberal Arts Adviser (LAA) is your primary source of academic advice until you declare a major. They are faculty members with a wealth of knowledge who are assigned to help you learn about the college’s resources. And your Student Academic Adviser (SAA) is available to help you choose courses and register. If you have questions, please reach out to your LAA and SAA first and they will direct you to your class dean where appropriate.

Helpful Links for First Year

For New Students Advising & Registration Writing Intensive Requirement Smith Reads

Health & Wellness Residence Life Course Catalog & Search First-Year Academic Moodle
A student and their parent at central check-in

For Sophomores

Sophomore year is about exploration. You’ve begun to learn how to navigate Smith and you’ve taken courses in areas that interest you. Now you can take a step back to reflect on your academic, personal, and career goals to set priorities for the remainder of your time at Smith. You will declare a major during your sophomore year, if you haven’t already. You’ll also want to consider whether you wish to study abroad or off-campus, write a thesis, or apply for a summer internship, among other possibilities, while you’re at Smith. The sophomore class dean is here to help you think through your options!

Helpful Links for Sophomore Year

Declaring a Major Study Abroad Studying Elsewhere in the U.S. Internships Sophomore Academic Moodle

For Juniors

You’re starting the second half of your journey as Smith! Many Smithies study abroad during one or both semesters of their junior year. If this is you, drink up all the amazing experiences. Your class dean is available to you whether you are on campus or studying away. During your junior year, you will want to connect with the Lazarus Center for Career Development, if you haven’t already, to learn about timelines for graduate school applications, scholarships, or fellowships, if those are in your plan. Your junior class dean is here to help you think through adding a minor or concentration, anticipating degree completion, making the most of your junior year at Smith, and to address any other academic questions you may have.

Helpful Links for Junior Year

Lewis Global Studies Center Declaring a Minor or Concentration Departmental Honors Junior Academic Moodle
Students listening intently in class
Students sit and discuss a reading together

For Seniors

Congratulations—you’re entering your final semesters at Smith! The senior year is a time of transition which involves reflection, imagination, and action planning. The senior year is also when you take stock of your academic progress, certify your degree requirements, apply for graduation, and plan for changing relationships and departure from campus. The senior class dean is here to help you with these activities and more, including talking about your post-Smith plans, whether they involve employment, graduate or professional school, or other activities that contribute to your life’s meaning. There are many resources around campus to help you explore and develop your next steps as your time at Smith draws to a close and you transition into our family of Smith alumnae. Please reach out any time!

The Senior Checklist

As the weeks progress and we draw closer to graduation, you’ll probably have a lot of questions. There will also be critical tasks for you to complete to assure your degree requirements are certified and you meet other obligations before departing Smith. The senior class dean, with collaboration from 12 campus partners, created a checklist to assure you have the information you need and accomplish the actions required to ensure you cross the stage and get that diploma in May! If you have a question about graduation-related tasks, please check here first and investigate the resources provided. If, after that, you need to reach out, email the office(s) noted in the checklist.

  • Checklist for January graduates (coming soon)
  • Checklist for May graduates (coming soon)

Helpful Links for Senior Year

Degree Requirements Lazarus Center for Career Development Departmental Honors Commencement Senior Academic Moodle
Students wearing white hold roses on Ivy Day

For Transfer Students

Welcome to Smith—we’re glad you’ve chosen to transfer to our community! We know it can be hard transitioning to a new college and you may have questions. When you first start at Smith, you will receive a brief orientation from the Dean of the Sophomore Class and Ada Comstock Scholars, who also coordinates the initial period of transfer transition to Smith. After that, you will be assigned a class dean according to the class year assigned by the Registrar’s Office when they reviewed your transcript. Once you declare your major, you will also be assigned a major adviser in your home academic department.

Helpful Links for Transfer Students

Transfer Credit Policies Overview of Advising at Smith Financial Aid as a Transfer Student

For Ada Comstock Scholars

Many women choose to work or raise a family rather than complete an education, but they later wish to return to earn a degree. Established in 1975, the Ada Comstock Scholars Program allows nontraditional students to complete a bachelor’s degree either part-time or full-time, attending the same classes and fulfilling the same requirements as all other Smith students. The program provides academic advising, orientation programs, peer advising, a center for the exclusive use of participants in the program and some housing.

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