|
|
Comparable Schools'
Diversity Grades:
College Prowler Take
Swarthmore is a diverse place on paper. The problem with diversity at Swarthmore is that, despite there being people from around the world and from several different backgrounds, these people tend to stick to together. This certainly is not a problem exclusive to Swarthmore, but it is certainly evident in Sharples Dining Hall. There, you’ll find the table for African American students, the table for Latino students, and the rest of the dining hall is a “white” wash. This doesn't mean that diversity at Swarthmore is bleak because that is certainly not the case. There are exceptions in Sharples, and students of all backgrounds often become the best of friends. Swarthmore is a place to learn about and celebrate all cultures, and a place where the administration is truly sensitive to the needs of minority students. For minority students who find making the adjustment to Swarthmore particularly difficult, minority groups on campus, such as Enlace (a Latino organization), SOCA (a group for students of Caribbean Ancestry), and SQU (Swarthmore Queer Union), can provide excellent support networks. Minority organizations also play a major role in campus activities. Groups like DESHI, Enlace, SQU, and SASS have been known to throw the campus’s best parties and have also been known to attract the most interesting speakers and performers. Students Speak Out
Love your school more than free food? Hate your school more than term papers?
Somewhere in between? Show the world what YOU think of YOUR school:
Anonymous says:  |
One of my main reasons for coming...
One of my main reasons for coming to Swarthmore was because of its incredible diversity. I can claim that I have many friends from all different backgrounds from all over the world. Many are international students, and many more are unconventional students from unconventional schools. Swarthmore’s diversity provides an innumerable amount of opportunities to learn new things everyday. |
Anonymous says: |
I think I saw a Native American...
I think I saw a Native American once. |
Anonymous says: |
It’s fairly diverse here. People...
It’s fairly diverse here. People do self-segregate a little bit by race and ethnicity, but not completely. Also, there’s definitely a diverse mix of economic backgrounds. As far as I can tell, people don’t self-segregate at all based on economic status. |
Anonymous says: |
Surprisingly, despite high...
Surprisingly, despite high tuition, Swarthmore is very diverse. |
Anonymous says: |
Racially, it’s pretty diverse, but...
Racially, it’s pretty diverse, but self-segregated sometimes. Intellectually, everyone here is smart enough to have a great conversation with. Economically, there are way too many rich kids, though everyone tries to hide it. Sexually, there’s enough of each sex to go around. |
FactsEconomic Status
A little less than 50 percent of students at Swarthmore receive financial aid from the college. The figure seems to indicate a lower-to-middle-class student sector; however, once you flip the figure around, you’ll realize that a little more than 50 percent of students can afford to pay the $32,000 price tag every year. Judging from this figure, Swatties come from wealthier backgrounds than the average group of college students. Judging from the clothes they wear and the things they have, it’s hard to tell their economic status. “Poor chic” pervades the campus dress code.
Gay Pride
Swarthmore is notorious for being one of the most queer-friendly schools in the country. The active Swarthmore Queer Union (SQU) sponsors two queer pride weeks during the school year. The first, Coming-Out Week, occurs in the fall. The second, Sager Week, named for Swat alum Richard Sager, includes a week-long symposium on queer issues and one of the year’s biggest campus parties, “Sager.”
Minority Clubs
Minority groups on campus have a pretty prominent position in campus life. The groups are very active within the entire student body and support their members well. Minority groups are generally known among students to throw the best campus parties and bring the best speakers and events to campus.
Most Common Religions
Swarthmore has fairly active Christian, Muslim, and Jewish student groups that stay relatively quiet among the general student body, but are active among their own members. Despite this, Swarthmore has been named among the colleges “most likely to ignore God on a regular basis.” The claim is mostly true, and the average Swattie is probably a bit of a skeptic when it comes to religion.
Political Activity
Good luck at Swarthmore if you lean to the right on the political spectrum. Democrats certainly run the campus here, and they do so with an iron fist. For example, a student I met during a pre-frosh overnight asked me whether or not I was a Republican. I hastily said “no.” Then she said, “Oh good! You can’t be a republican and go here. I mean, not that we’re not okay with republicans, but there are about three of them on campus, and we know who they are.” Trust me when I say that her remarks represent the general consensus here.
Write for Us! College Prowler is actively seeking talented students to be "Contributing Authors," and assist with updating
the College Prowler guide to their school. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain internship experience, be a part of a nationally
recognized company, gain tremendous exposure, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life is
really like at your college. Read more >
|
|
