Meet the New Smithies: A closer look at Smith College’s incoming class of 2030

What’s a typical Smith College student like? The answer is simple: There’s no such thing. The incoming class of 2030 represents a highly selective cohort that brings with it an extraordinary range of passions, achievements, personalities, and perspectives.

Here’s a brief portrait of the entering class—both by the numbers and by some of their achievements.

• “You’re in”: With 8,630 applications and 1,677 admitted students, the class of 2030 boasted a 19% admit rate
• Familial Trailblazers: 17% of the class of 2030 are first-generation students, the first in their families to attend college.
• Location, Location, Location: Members of the class of 2030 hail from 45 states (New York, California, Massachusetts, Texas, Connecticut, New Jersey, Maine, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Maryland are the top states represented) and are citizens of 37 countries (China, Hong Kong S.A.R., Mexico, Brazil, Canada, Ethiopia, Japan, Rwanda, Singapore, and Vietnam are the most represented countries by citizenship).
• By Land, by Air, by Sea: Of the 648 members of the class of 2030, 14% are international students ready to explore not only a new country, but a new campus and new home.
• Getting Their Heads in the Game: The class of 2030 includes 62 athletes who are poised to take the field, court, water, or track as they join one of Smith’s 11 varsity teams.

Looking for your new favorite board game? Check out Julia Brumer ’30’s Branch Out! It helps players make connections between constitutional history and its effect on current legislation and is accessible in public libraries in all 50 states.

After her experience with pediatric cancer, Willamina Clayton ’30 spent much of her high school career advocating at the state and national levels with Kids v Cancer, helping to advance legislation to support pediatric cancer treatment and research.

Recognized by New Haven, Connecticut, as a “rising changemaker,” Rania Das ’30 is a civil service fixture in her local community. She has served on mayoral campaigns and the New Haven Youth Commission and was selected as one of Connecticut’s two delegates to the United States Senate Youth Program.

An accomplished cello player herself, Maya Ferkel ’30 founded “Mello Cello,” a private studio that offers affordable cello lessons to young students, nurturing their own passions for music while sharing her favorite pastime.

As the co-author of a published research paper on 3D models of marine animals, Isabel French-Luce ’30 has got you covered when it comes to fun facts about sharks and marine biology.

Gammie Jungpaibul ’30’s work in the Model UN Club at her high school in Thailand inspired her to apply her passion for diplomacy, political systems, and human rights to real-world scenarios. She did so by landing an internship with the People’s Party—a leading progressive party in Thai politics.

During her senior year of high school, Sofi Parviz ’30 was able to combine her interests in art, painting, and design robotics as a puzzle design intern for Artifact Puzzles in Port Townsend, Washington.

Kailyn Rominger ’30 is ready to take off—literally. In addition to being selected as one of 15 students from across the country for FEMA’s Youth Preparedness Council, she’s also earned her student pilot license and is working toward her private pilot license.

Break out the bear claws and join us in welcoming and celebrating the class of 2030!