Most requested housing areas at Smith College?

As I'm preparing my application for Smith College, I am of course thinking ahead to the possibility of actually going there. I'm curious about the residencies; are certain houses or areas more popular or sought after than others? What's the housing culture like?

Smith College's housing system is unique and adds significantly to the culture of the college. It has 35 houses that create much smaller, close-knit communities within the larger College. Some of the houses date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries and have a lot of character and history.

The individual houses vary in size from around 10 to 100 students, with each having its own unique atmosphere and traditions. Preferences can shift from year to year, but historically, some of the more sought after houses include Chase House, known for its stunning architecture; Lamont House, which has a reputation for having a particularly close community; and Capen House, admired for its picturesque location near Paradise Pond.

The residents usually have very strong house loyalty, and some houses have particular identities or themes, like Northrop and Gillett Houses for continuing generation students, or Friedman Apartment Complex for students (21 years and older) who are interested in a more independent style of living.

Smith also has affinity houses, where students with shared interests or identities can live together. These include the Unity House (for students of color and their allies), Ziskind House (a quiet, substance-free house), and Morris House (an international language house).

To best understand the housing culture at Smith, if you have the opportunity, I would recommend connecting with current students, as they can provide you with first-hand insight! They might also share a few house traditions, which are a cherished part of Smith's housing experience.