An article entitled "Smith: A College for All-Around Girls with high I.Q.'s," penned by New York University English Professor David Boroff, had appeared in Mademoiselle's March 1961 issue. Among other things, the piece reported that Smith students preferred "more authentically Ivy Stock," dismissing Amherst boys as "convenient, but Junior Ivy League." The College's men, however, fared better than did their UMass counterparts, who were "treated with even less interest, being largely ignored by the 'class-conscious Smithies.'"
The article also stated that, although social activity "starts off with a roar," junior year is apparently the "Great Divide" for Smith women. "In freshman year, you're just swept off your feet," commented an anonymous Smithie. But, says Boroff, "the edge wears off the social frenzy." Another anonymous Smith student agreed. "Later on, [Smith girls] relax on dates and prefer to do simple things like taking a walk." Boroff explain this baffling change of heart, stating that "the girls feel too old for Amherst boys, and running off for weekends seems like too much trouble." In addition, Boroff finds a "steady relentless pressure" on Smith women to marry, although Smith College President Thomas C. Mendenhall had declared the idea of young women rushing into marriages to be "absurd."
The Mademoiselle piece characterized Smith as committed to "purposeful activity, energy, health," and students were described as involved in "strenuous academicism and the intellectual life." Still licking his wounds, Richard Siegler, the author of the Student article, snidely commented, "The Smith training is at the very least considered ideal for a P.T.A. chairmanship."