What does this mean in terms of class? We already know that Smith’s $34,730 tuition fee is more than double UMass’s $11,954 fee. So, to get in, you need money, or exceptional grades that are rated based on the high school you attended. When I asked the admissions advisor just how many people received Financial Aid at Smith she replied “Few, but some”. So the assumption here is that these students can afford to go to this school, putting them in a higher social class than someone who needs Financial Aid to fund their public university education. What I am trying to establish is the differences that exist because of class. Smith caters to the middle upper and upper classes, while UMass caters to those middle and working class individuals. Not only do they cater to these groups, but also we can see with Smith that certain values for power and success are emphasized and reproduced so that the students will perpetuate and even excel their class status. This is not to say that UMass students are inferior, but they sure aren’t treated as equals.

There are tons of choices that the student body is offered in terms of living, dining, and extracurricular activities. Room changing is arbitrary, and not hard to do as in UMass. Also, because the meals are prepared for each house, special meals are available for residents with specific dietary needs. There are so many activities open to all students, all geared towards women, so there is no reason for feeling intimidated to participate.

The first place I drove up to was the Neilson Library, where I parked my car. Parking is so much better at Smith, nice and close to the buildings, no crazy mile long walks from the yellow lot. There are four libraries on campus, all very accessible with new computers and the latest media resources. Technology all over campus is state-of-the-art, especially in the science center. Smith prides itself I having some of the best equipment available, giving its students access to the most recent and accurate tools and information.

The dining room is set up much like a kitchen at home, with round wooden tables that seat about six people each. Most of the houses have dining rooms, each with its own kitchen staff. The meals are prepared at scheduled times during the day, so that most of the girls in each house eat with each other, just like a family.

When a student graduates from UMass, it is likely that they may never go back there again. With Smith on the other hand, students and faculty alike have created a close-knit bond that keeps the alumni association strong and large. The Smith alumni community helps all of its members out, providing students access to internship and career opportunities and networking for the future. Smith students all have the advantage of getting their feet in the door, wile UMass students are still searching aimlessly on the Web looking for work.

UMass can be a great place, as long as you follow the rules. Authority governs the lower classes. We aren’t expected or supposed to stand up, to question, to lead. We are encouraged to be respectful, think of others, and be a good hard worker, so someone else will want to hire us to work for them. Where Smith students are recognized as individuals, creators, and independent, UMass students are expected to conform.

Some topics in this essay:
Elm Street, Finally Smith, Financial Aid, , Parking Smith, UMass Smith, Smith College, Student Center, Northampton Surrounded, Zoo UMass, umass students, smith students, upper class, class status, smith college, social class, leadership power, caters middle, classes umass, meals prepared,