Swarthmore is challenging, beautiful, and has a very suburban liberal feel. The students are really all individuals, and it seems like you could find any type of person on campus. I feel like as long as you're dedicated and passionate about something, you'll fit right in.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Be open to new things. SEPTA will be your frienemy, take the train into Philadelphia and explore the whole city (I recommend getting a day pass and a map and just seeing all the sights). Go to the Amphitheater when it's full, and alone or with just a few friends. Take advantage of all the free opportunities around town. Get a ridiculous amount of candy from the Head Nut when you're having a bad day, or fries from Renato's. Be friendly to everyone, because everyone is friendly (given, some of them might actually be evil, watch out for that). Also, visit!!! The people I've talked to said that their visit was what made them choose Swarthmore.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
Swarthmore is no doubt academically challenging, but I hear the professors are pretty cool (depending), so make sure you go to them for help. There's a lot of work, and the school can get kind of competitive amongst students, so just stay on top of things and know who's cool.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
The dorms aren't that great. I guess it depends where you stay. They look really pretty from the outside, but inside they're just okay. The walls can be kind of thin, so just don't go around shouting. People really seem to make homes out of them though, and from what I can tell you'll enjoy the people you live with.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
I hear students complain about food a lot. Mostly about their meal plans and having to skip meals. There are some cool places right next to campus (Dunkin' Donuts & Baskin Robin's, coffee/sandwich shop, Chinese, Mediterranean, pizza place, and a few other shops, there's also a small grocery store [kinda expensive] that should have the basic stuff you need), but they get kind of expensive and if you don't have the money you're stuck with on-campus dining, which I'd imagine is pretty decent but people aren't quick to praise it.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
Go to the giant hammock, the more the merrier. Also, the giant chair, at least once, even if you think it's cheesy. Join a random game of quidditch (the team is super cool and accepting). Walk down to the falls to do homework, totally beautiful and worth it. There's usually lots of stuff happening on campus, just walk around. There's a good bit to do in Swarthmore, but there's even more if you walk or take the bus into Springfield (mall, shopping center, just explore baltimore pike). There are also swings on campus!
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
It's really expensive, but you'll probably get a really good education and financial aid if you need it. Swarthmore is also kind of an expensive neighborhood (not all of it), so a lot of people there will have money, and there will be random expensive crap.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Go to the trestle (ask someone about it, it's really cool). Again the giant hammock & chair, and the amphitheater. There are also a lot of weird statues around, climbing them is kinda fun/kinda dangerous. I've encountered a lot of streakers, and you probably will too. No one in Swarthmore really cares about much.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Hippies for sure. You have to be a geek about something, or like really passionate. It can be a multiple of things, but you have to be able to really geek out about something. Students are generally nerdy and liberal. Also artsy, and sometimes painfully existential.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
People seem to really enjoy sports (play quidditch, I'm serious), and there seem to be a large variety of clubs on campus. I'm sure you'll find your niche somewhere, and if you can't, people are open-minded enough you can probably start something.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
It seems to be pretty nonexistent, even though I'm pretty sure they have one (kind of). You'll definitely encounter a lot of drunk bros, though (like I said, streakers).
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
There was an article published a little while ago about someone having $9 stolen out of their car and people were revolted. You should be fine. It's a very sheltered environment, but the cops can kind of be a pain. But I've hand friends just walk around in the middle of the night and nothing ever happens to them. Nothing really ever happens to anyone in Swarthmore.
Swarthmore is challenging, beautiful, and has a very suburban liberal feel. The students are really all individuals, and it seems like you could find any type of person on campus. I feel like as long as you're dedicated and passionate about something, you'll fit right in.
Be open to new things. SEPTA will be your frienemy, take the train into Philadelphia and explore the whole city (I recommend getting a day pass and a map and just seeing all the sights). Go to the Amphitheater when it's full, and alone or with just a few friends. Take advantage of all the free opportunities around town. Get a ridiculous amount of candy from the Head Nut when you're having a bad day, or fries from Renato's. Be friendly to everyone, because everyone is friendly (given, some of them might actually be evil, watch out for that). Also, visit!!! The people I've talked to said that their visit was what made them choose Swarthmore.
Swarthmore is no doubt academically challenging, but I hear the professors are pretty cool (depending), so make sure you go to them for help. There's a lot of work, and the school can get kind of competitive amongst students, so just stay on top of things and know who's cool.
The dorms aren't that great. I guess it depends where you stay. They look really pretty from the outside, but inside they're just okay. The walls can be kind of thin, so just don't go around shouting. People really seem to make homes out of them though, and from what I can tell you'll enjoy the people you live with.
I hear students complain about food a lot. Mostly about their meal plans and having to skip meals. There are some cool places right next to campus (Dunkin' Donuts & Baskin Robin's, coffee/sandwich shop, Chinese, Mediterranean, pizza place, and a few other shops, there's also a small grocery store [kinda expensive] that should have the basic stuff you need), but they get kind of expensive and if you don't have the money you're stuck with on-campus dining, which I'd imagine is pretty decent but people aren't quick to praise it.
Go to the giant hammock, the more the merrier. Also, the giant chair, at least once, even if you think it's cheesy. Join a random game of quidditch (the team is super cool and accepting). Walk down to the falls to do homework, totally beautiful and worth it. There's usually lots of stuff happening on campus, just walk around. There's a good bit to do in Swarthmore, but there's even more if you walk or take the bus into Springfield (mall, shopping center, just explore baltimore pike). There are also swings on campus!
It's really expensive, but you'll probably get a really good education and financial aid if you need it. Swarthmore is also kind of an expensive neighborhood (not all of it), so a lot of people there will have money, and there will be random expensive crap.
Go to the trestle (ask someone about it, it's really cool). Again the giant hammock & chair, and the amphitheater. There are also a lot of weird statues around, climbing them is kinda fun/kinda dangerous. I've encountered a lot of streakers, and you probably will too. No one in Swarthmore really cares about much.
Hippies for sure. You have to be a geek about something, or like really passionate. It can be a multiple of things, but you have to be able to really geek out about something. Students are generally nerdy and liberal. Also artsy, and sometimes painfully existential.
People seem to really enjoy sports (play quidditch, I'm serious), and there seem to be a large variety of clubs on campus. I'm sure you'll find your niche somewhere, and if you can't, people are open-minded enough you can probably start something.
It seems to be pretty nonexistent, even though I'm pretty sure they have one (kind of). You'll definitely encounter a lot of drunk bros, though (like I said, streakers).
There was an article published a little while ago about someone having $9 stolen out of their car and people were revolted. You should be fine. It's a very sheltered environment, but the cops can kind of be a pain. But I've hand friends just walk around in the middle of the night and nothing ever happens to them. Nothing really ever happens to anyone in Swarthmore.