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.
Smith College is among the top-rated liberal arts colleges in the United States and one of the nation’s largest colleges dedicated to educating women. In 1999, Smith became the first women’s college in the nation to establish its own program in engineering science, the Picker Engineering Program [2].
SSEP research courses emphasize asking questions and learning by doing, not only by listening and watching. Students choose two-week research courses; in these, groups of up to 17 students work alongside Smith faculty members, assisted by undergraduate interns. Informal lectures in the lab and out in the field encourage students to ask research questions, and they learn to conduct actual experiments.
Most of the work is carried out as a cooperative team effort, with ample opportunities for individual contributions. SSEP participants learn how scientists and engineers formulate questions, work on sophisticated scientific instruments and develop valuable critical thinking and analytical skills.
Please note: For remote courses, additional synchronous class times may be scheduled. These additional times will be scheduled at the instructor’s discretion and with student availability in mind.
*Accepting young women only
Links:
[1] https://www.smith.edu/academics/precollege-programs/ssep
[2] https://www.smith.edu/academics/engineering
STUDENT COMMENTS
"Smith offers a great summer program, both in terms of hospitality and academics. I was really nervous when I first arrived there, but the staff and my summer classmates were all really nice and welcome to help me. I was also excited about the house tradition that Smithies have. Everyone is put in one of the four houses that are used during the program and do many activities with their classmates. That way, I really felt that I belonged in a community. When it comes to academics, I had the chance to choose two classes, Biogenetics and Robotics, and explore two completely different sciences. We usually worked in labs and conducted experiment. I was mostly fascinated about my second class, because we were actually able to construct and program our own robots! All in all, this summer at Smith was the best experience in my life and I would definitely do it again!"
"The four-week program was divided in two two-week courses which were amazing, challenging, and advanced. Every day, after class, we had many opportunities to take part in a variety of extracurricular activities and events such as the celebration of Harry Potter’s Birthday, the Spa Night and a visit to the observatory at Smith College. At our free time we were encouraged to explore the town around the college. It is an amazing college and I got to meet and make friends with girls from all around the world. It is a program for a girl who is looking for a competitive and yet exciting summer course."