Swarthmore College

Date: Nov 07 2003
Major: Other (This Major's Salary over time)
Swarthmore is an amazing place to grow and learn. Top-notch education by faculty who are always available (even beg you to stop by and chat), yet manage to do important research in their fields. Profs and career services will work with you to find a job after college, and no one will push you towards a degree you do not want or need. Two or three of my friends are working towards a Ph.D., but most are not.

The students are the best part. I implicitly trust Swarthmore students and alumni. Yes, some people are a touch arrogant, but that's a result of the natural awkwardness of an academically successful young adult. My fellow Swatties are always expanding my horizons. If you are conservative and not okay with constantly defending yourself, Swarthmore may be uncomfortable at times. I know some semi-closeted Republicans. I am a liberal Christian, and have found the Swarthmore Protestant Community to be an amazingly supportive and welcoming group for people of all beliefs. I can't speak for the other religious groups on campus, but I haven't heard anything bad.

Some students spend too much time studying, but there are plenty of people here who like to party too (on the weekends). Free movies, parties and dances, lectures, concerts, etc. take place every day, open to all.

The financial aid department helps you with 100% of your need, and they've always been helpful and come through with extra grants or loans when I couldn't get the money together somehow. About a third of the students (including me) study abroad at some point, and payment is arranged by Swarthmore so you can apply your financial aid.

What is bad? Well, there is a lot of work. Come and visit, and you'll see. You need to be able to let go and realize that you cannot do it all. Might as well learn that lesson sooner rather than later. Don't be afraid to drop a class. You get to take several classes (including the whole first semester) pass/fail, so take advantage.

Hmm. What else—some people don't like the food. As a senior I can tell you that it is pretty repetitive after 4 years. Make sure you stop in the dining hall when you visit. Some of the dorms are as much as 20 minutes' walk away, which is unacceptable to me (so I live in the closer dorms, 2-5 minutes from my classes).

Obviously, some people fit better with the school than others, but I think a wide range of people do fit in here in some way. You should definitely visit, check out our newspaper, The Phoenix, and try to take in a class or two. Have fun!