Prerequisites
In order to begin an application, candidates for admission must be graduates of accredited colleges and universities. While no specific undergraduate major is required, the completion of approximately 20 semester hours in the social, biological or psychological sciences is normally required. In addition, it is preferred that candidates have at least one year of paid or volunteer experience in human services. Preference in admission will be given to those qualified candidates who have had at least one year of general work experience. We do not grant social work course credit for life experience or previous work experience.
Interviews
The Admission Committee may initiate an interview if it feels one would be helpful; otherwise, interviews are not required in the application process. Informational interviews to discuss details of the program and questions about the application process are available by pre-arranged appointment, please select a time that fits your schedule.
Application Deadlines and Notification Dates
Unless otherwise noted, all financial aid applications are due with your application materials. Regular decision applicants may submit financial aid materials up until March 1.
| Application Type | Deadline | Notification Date in the Portal |
| Five College Circle of Scholars | November 30 | December 21 |
| Non-Binding Early Decision* | January 5 | February 6 |
| International Applicants*** | February 15 | On or before March 30 |
| Regular Decision** | February 21 | On or before March 30 |
All decisions are sent via the application portal; decisions are not available via phone or email.
*Early Decision applicants receive preference of the geographical location for the internship assigned and in financial aid awarded. Students are strongly encouraged to apply early unless they are somewhat flexible in geography and can move to assigned internship locations. Special requests for submitting an application after the deadline can be directed to sswadm@smith.edu. Admission packets will include your decision, the geography of your internship and financial aid award (if applicable). This offer must be accepted or declined within two weeks (typically by February 20) of receipt and cannot be deferred to the regular decision pool.
**Regular decision applicants must submit all materials by February 21 and will be notified on a rolling basis by the end of March. Admission packets will include your decision and financial aid award (if applicable). This offer must be accepted or declined within two weeks of receipt.
***International applicants are not eligible for Smith College SSW institutional financial aid or scholarships, or U.S. federal financial aid.
The Admission Committee accepts requests for deferral for a one year period. To request a deferral, you must first submit the admission reply form and the $500 non-refundable tuition deposit by the deadline outlined in the offer of admission. Contact sswadm@smith.edu or your admission counselor for next steps. Once the request is received, approval notifications are sent within two weeks, at which time a non-refundable deferral fee of $150 is due.
As of 3/7/25, an update to admission policy requires deferral requests to be submitted by April 15. Except in emergency circumstances, requests for deferral will not be considered beyond the deadline. Please email the Director to explore if an exception is possible.
At the Returning User login screen, enter your email and password. Type carefully. Click "Login."
Checking the status of your admission application
Once logged into the Admission portal, you will either be directed to your in-progress application or the application status page. You must complete all required fields before you can view the status page.
On the Status Page you will see a Checklist with the status of all required documents, including transcripts and references. If received, the date of receipt will be listed. You may upload new copies of any materials below the Checklist.
When decision letters are released, an email will direct you to check your admission portal. Log in using the link above and click “View Update” at the top of the page. You will also see your address, an application proof, and any application payments listed on the status page.
If you encounter any problems logging in or using the admission portal, please contact the Admission Office at 413-585-7960 or sswadm@smith.edu. We are also available for any questions you may have about your application.
Please note: If you believe that something has been sent but it is not yet recorded on the computer, please don’t worry. There is sometimes a lag of a few days from the time we receive mail to the time it is entered into the computer.