Wellesley is significantly more selective than other top LACs in the sim (13.7% vs Amherst ~7%, Williams ~8%)
High Asian representation (22.8%) compared to peer LACs
Very high yield (49%) for a LAC, suggesting strong demonstrated interest
ED boost is substantial (~2.2x overall rate)
Notable anomaly in net cost: $30,001-$48,000 bracket is extremely low ($634)
Smith College
Overview
Location: Northampton, MA (Pioneer Valley, western MA)
Type: Private women's liberal arts college
Founded: 1871
Conference: NEWMAC (NCAA Division III)
Seven Sisters: Yes
Gender policy: Admits women and transgender students
Curriculum: Open curriculum (no distribution requirements)
Admissions (Class of 2029)
Total applicants: 8,102
Admitted: 1,816
Overall acceptance rate: 22%
ED acceptance rate: ~38% (estimated; sub-40% first reached for Class of 2028)
RD acceptance rate: ~18% (estimated)
Early round: ED I and ED II, both binding
Class size: 703 enrolled (+ 31 transfer, 7 Ada Comstock)
Yield rate: 39%
Testing policy: Test-optional (since 2009, longest-running among elite LACs)
Academic Profile
SAT middle 50%: 1420-1540 (Math 700-780, EBRW 720-760)
ACT middle 50%: 32-35
Avg GPA (unweighted est.): ~3.88
Top 10% of HS class: 79%
First-generation: 20%
Pell Grant recipients: 22%
Demographics (2024-2025)
Group
Percentage
White
48.8%
International
13.3%
Hispanic
12.8%
Asian
9.5%
Black
6.8%
Multiracial
5.0%
Women
100%
Domestic students of color: 40%
Total enrollment: 2,549 undergrad + 308 grad = 2,857
Financial Aid / Net Cost by Income
Income Bracket
Net Cost
$0-$30,000
$7,033
$30,001-$48,000
$9,382
$48,001-$75,000
$12,149
$75,001-$110,000
$17,628
Over $110,000
$39,722
Total cost of attendance: $85,176
Average net cost: $27,823
66% receive institutional aid
Athletics
Division: NCAA DIII (NEWMAC)
Varsity sports: 11
Total athletes: ~250 (est. 10% of student body)
First women's college to join NCAA (1981)
Geographic Distribution (Class of 2029)
States: 45 + DC
Countries: 38
Regional: New England 22.3%, Middle Atlantic 25.6%, Midwest 9.2%, South/SW 13.5%, West 17.8%, Abroad 11.5%
Top states: NY, MA, CA, NJ, CT, TX, ME, MD, PA, IL, NC
Top countries: China, Canada, Nigeria, Rwanda, Hong Kong, India
High School Background (Class of 2029)
Public/charter: 69%
Private: 24%
Religious/homeschooled: 7%
Notable for Simulation
Less selective than Wellesley (22% vs 13.7%) but still competitive
Open curriculum is a notable draw factor
Test-optional pioneer (since 2009)
Ada Comstock Scholars program (non-traditional age students)
Lower yield (39%) than Wellesley suggests more of a "choice" school
Slightly lower SAT floor (1420 vs 1460)
Comparison: Wellesley vs Smith
Metric
Wellesley
Smith
Acceptance rate
13.7%
22.0%
ED rate
29.8%
~38%
SAT middle 50%
1460-1560
1420-1540
ACT middle 50%
33-35
32-35
Class size
598
703
Yield rate
49%
39%
Top 10% HS
90%
79%
International %
13.5%
13.3%
Athlete %
11.7%
~10%
Net cost ($0-30K)
$5,695
$7,033
Both are Seven Sisters, women-only, DIII NEWMAC, test-optional, private LACs in Massachusetts.
Wellesley is notably more selective and has a higher yield. Smith has a larger class and more moderate selectivity.