How to Get Into Smith
“College Hall (at Smith College)” by Unhindered by Talent is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

How to get into Smith—General Information

Smith College is a private women’s college located in Northampton, Massachusetts. Founded in 1871, it stands today as one of the largest liberal arts colleges dedicated to women in the US. Smith’s 147-acre campus is home to approximately 2,100 undergrads whose interests span over 50 different areas of study.

In this How to get Into Smith guide we’ll cover:

  • The average Smith College GPA
  • The importance of Smith College SAT scores
  • Interpreting the Smith College acceptance rate
  • Smith College admissions requirements
  • Writing an effective Smith College supplemental essay
  • Acing the Smith College interview, and much more about the Smith College application process! 

Wondering how to get into Smith? You might find yourself researching the Smith College GPA or Smith College acceptance rate. Rather than worrying about these figures, focus on what you have complete control over: your Smith College application. To maximize your chances of impressing the Smith College admissions team, take time to compile your Smith College application materials. This means writing a strong Smith College supplemental essay and preparing for your Smith College interview.

Figuring out how to get into Smith takes strategy. We can help. CollegeAdvisor.com’s network of 300+ Admissions Experts (and former admissions officers) includes graduates from some of the country’s top schools. Want to maximize your Smith admissions odds?  Create your free account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272. 

How to get into Smith

If Smith College is on your list, you’d probably like to know how to get into Smith. Firstly, understand that Smith College admissions use a holistic approach to evaluate applicants. This means that no singular component will make or break your Smith College application. Instead, Smith focuses on accepting the whole student rather than just a statistic. 

Smith College admissions counselors will review your whole Smith College application: your high school transcript, Smith College GPA, and your Smith College supplemental essay. With its optional components—the Smith College interview and arts supplement—Smith invites applicants to provide further context about who they are.

As you put together your Smith College application, you may get caught up in questions like “How to get into Smith?” or “How can I compete with the Smith College acceptance rate?”

Instead, consider these questions: 

  • Do I demonstrate my ability to successfully manage a rigorous curriculum? 
  • Have I conveyed how I think and what I care about? 
  • Do I show what kind of community member, classmate, roommate and teammate I would be at Smith? 

By answering these questions, you’ll set yourself up for success in Smith’s vibrant community of learners—this is really how to get into Smith!

For more tips on how to make your Smith College application stand out, check out this article. 

Is it hard to get into Smith?

With a low Smith College acceptance rate and a high average Smith College GPA, you might feel unsure about how to get into Smith. As with any selective school, it is important to keep these statistics in mind. However, don’t let them steal your confidence . Yes, your Smith College application will face strong competition. However, Smith College admissions looks for women whose value lies beyond numbers. 

So, don’t let the Smith College acceptance rate scare you. With a carefully crafted Smith College application and a strong Smith College interview, you can increase your chances of getting in.

Continue reading this “how to get into Smith” guide to learn more about the Smith College GPA, the guidance on Smith College SAT scores and ACT scores, the Smith College acceptance rate, and what you need to get started on your Smith College application.

What is the average GPA needed for Smith?

Once you’ve started researching how to get into Smith, one of the first things you might ask about is the average Smith College GPA. 

The school’s holistic review process means you don’t need to meet a minimum Smith College GPA to be considered by Smith College admissions. However, students with successful Smith College applications tend to have strong high school GPAs. For the Class of 2025, 74% of enrolled students had a 4.0 GPA.

The average Smith College SAT scores and ACT scores are also high. In the Class of 2025, 34% of enrolled students chose to submit Smith College SAT scores, and 20% submitted ACT scores. Of those students, the middle 50% of Smith College SAT scores were 1390-1510, while the middle 50% of ACT scores were 31-34.

The average Smith College GPA and other academic statistics can seem daunting. However, remember that the strength of your Smith College application does not come from meeting the average Smith College GPA or  Smith College SAT scores alone. Instead, it comes from your ability to maximize each part of the Smith College application. This includes your academic record, teacher recommendations, Smith College supplemental essay, and Smith College interview.

By having a balanced “how to get into Smith” strategy like this, you’ll show your commitment to Smith’s values of audacity, agency and authenticity. In doing so, you’ll craft the strongest Smith College application possible. 

Want more tips? Check out CollegeAdvisor’s other resources on mastering your GPA and standardized tests.

What does the Smith application require?

When considering how to get into Smith, it is important to start your Smith College application well before your chosen deadline. Smith offers three decision plans: Early Decision I (November 15), Early Decision II (January 1), and Regular Decision (January 15). No matter which deadline you’ve chosen, your Smith College application will need to include these materials:

  • The Coalition Application or Common Application
  • Smith College Supplemental Essay
  • Secondary School Report (including official high school transcript)
  • Counselor Recommendation
  • Two Teacher Evaluation Forms
  • Midyear Report
  • Early Decision Agreement (if applicable)

If you are a U.S. Citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident, Smith College SAT scores or ACT scores are optional. If you are an international citizen, Smith College SAT scores or ACT scores are required. 

The Smith College application also includes an optional Smith College interview with an admissions counselor. Note that if you are a woman of nontraditional college age applying to be an Ada Comstock Scholar, the Smith College interview is required. Although optional for standard applications, Smith College admissions indicate that the interview is just as important as your extracurricular activities. So, if you can, make the Smith College interview a part of your ‘how to get into Smith’ plan!


If you decide to complete a Smith College interview, do so before the deadline for your chosen application cycle (ED I by November 15, ED II by December 22, and RD by January 15). 

Finally, as you prepare for your Smith College interview, check out this article on “Ten Tips for a Great College Interview” from Smith College admissions.

What is the Smith College acceptance rate?

You shouldn’t become too preoccupied with the Smith College acceptance rate. However, it’s a good figure to have in your mind as you craft your “how to get into Smith” strategy. 

According to U.S. News, the 2020 Smith College acceptance rate stands at 37%. This percentage includes ED I, ED II, and Regular Decision applicants. Given the high average Smith College GPA and strong Smith College SAT scores and ACT scores, you should craft an application sure to impress Smith College admissions.

If Smith is your top-choice school, keep in mind that the Smith College acceptance rate for Early Decision is 57%. So, it may work to your advantage to select one of the earlier deadlines.


For more guidance on how to factor the Smith College acceptance rate into your ‘how to get into Smith’ plan, check out our article on college acceptance rates and the admissions process.

What extracurriculars does Smith look for?

As you put together your “how to get into Smith” plan, it’s important to look beyond the Smith College GPA and test scores.  Smith College admissions look closely at your extracurricular activities, too. This part of your Smith College application is important because it showcases your passions, involvement, and dedication beyond the classroom.

Rather than a list overflowing with surface-level engagement, Smith values those extracurriculars that demonstrate quality of involvement. This can look different for each activity, from independently mastering a new skill to effectively leading a sports team. Whatever your activities are, make sure you give them the opportunity to shine as part of your Smith College application. You should also highlight them in your Smith College supplemental essay.

Some students have artistic passions they can’t convey in the standard Smith College application. If this sounds like you, Smith invites you to submit an optional art supplement before February 1.  Keep in mind that they only accept submissions in music, visual art, and dance. If your interests stretch into another area, talk about them in other areas!

How to write a Smith supplemental essay 

Part of your “how to get into Smith” plan will be completing the Smith College supplemental essay. In addition to your personal statement, this essay lets you show Smith College admissions who you are.

Here is the 2021-2022 Smith College supplemental essay prompt:

Music means so many things to so many people. It can bring us joy, inspire us, validate us or heal us. Please tell us about a song or piece of music that is particularly meaningful to you and why. Please include the name of the song/piece and the artist (200 words).

Creative prompts like this can be intimidating because they give you the freedom to share something personal about yourself that may not feel directly related to your education. However, you should still take your response as seriously as you would a more formal essay.

Smith’s Tips for a Great College Essay explains your goal perfectly: “to convince admissions officers…that you would be a good match for their college.” Even though the prompt is asking you about a meaningful piece of music, your answer should also convey something about why you would be a valuable member of Smith’s campus.

Finding inspiration

If you are wondering how to draw that connection, look to Smith’s mission and values for inspiration. Smith is dedicated to educating women who will become engaged global citizens. They do this by creating a learning environment that celebrates and explores critical thought, creativity, and the complexity of human experiences and world cultures.

Don’t just pick a song because you like the way it sounds. Consider the lyrics, why they resonate with you, the setting you first heard it, or what the song reminds you of. Maybe it connects to a certain part of your identity or a perspective that helps shape the way you see the world. Whatever the connection, make sure it is meaningful and clearly articulated. Your reader should appreciate what this song means to you while learning something about who you are.

Finally, when crafting your Smith College supplemental essay, you might find these top tips useful. 

Will Smith review my social media accounts?

Smith College admissions does not review social media as part of their holistic evaluation process. So, don’t feel like you need to factor your social media accounts into your “how to get into Smith” plan. However, even though they don’t make a point of reviewing social media accounts, you should still be conscious of what you post.

Remember, anything you post to the internet becomes public information. If Smith College admissions became aware of a concerning post or piece of content you shared, it could impact their decision about your Smith College application. As a good rule of thumb, don’t post anything online you wouldn’t want a future professor or employer to see.

Is Smith the school for me?

Before you start thinking about how to get into Smith, you consider whether Smith College is the school for you. Knowing that Smith is a good fit will keep you motivated throughout the process. You will be inspired to write the best Smith College supplemental essay you can and to prepare for your Smith College interview.

A big part of your decision process will be deciding whether a women’s college is right for you. A small, women’s liberal arts college is a very specific type of learning environment. At Smith, you’ll be in a tight-knit, intimate community that is known to empower women to achieve their greatest potential. 


An education at Smith will be unlike an education at a larger or co-ed institution. Take some time to explore everything Smith has to offer, from academics to student clubs & organizations to equity & inclusion initiatives. If you are still undecided, check out CollegeAdvisor’s page on Smith College. Our page can help you learn more about what the school has to offer.

Additional tips to get into Smith

As you finalize your ‘how to get into Smith’ strategy, take note of the following final tips. 

Consider your application holistically

Smith College admissions will evaluate your application as a whole. This means, you should use this mindset when putting together your Smith College application. Rather than getting hung up on one thing, focus on highlighting your strengths. For example, if you feel like your high school transcript doesn’t compare to the average Smith College GPA, express what you have accomplished in your personal statement. Also, use your Smith College supplemental essay to better highlight strengths and experiences.  

Prepare for your interview

If you’ve researched how to get into Smith, you know that completing a Smith College interview is an important part of that plan. Especially if you get nervous during these types of situations, make sure you set aside time to prepare for your interview. Think about how you might answer questions about your extracurriculars, academic history, your interest in Smith, and what you hope to get out of a college experience.


Take time on your essays

Aside from the content of your essays, your personal statement and Smith College supplemental essay will be evaluated for writing style, sentence construction, fluidity, and voice as well as grammar, spelling, and punctuation. So, as you work on your essays, make sure you take the time to choose a topic that you feel confident writing about. Then, make sure you draft, edit, revise, and proofread your essays before you submit them. 

This guide was written by Stefanie Tedards. If you want to know how to get into Smith, we’ve got you covered. CollegeAdvisor.com’s network of 300+ Admissions Experts (and former admissions officers) includes graduates from many top schools. Create your free account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 576-0953. (844) 343-6272.