Swarthmore College - Overall Experience

College Prowler Take

Prospective students be warned—Swarthmore is not for everyone. However, the many students who do happen to find their niche here are generally happy they came. So, what type of student is the College suited for? Well, in the broadest sense, someone who is open-minded, ultra-liberal, and possesses a true passion for intellectual stimulation tends to thrive at Swarthmore. This leads us to another important question that must be addressed. What type of student should stay away from Swarthmore? Well, anyone who considers their normality a personal virtue, conservatives (and most moderates, for that matter), reckless individuals who constantly choose their social lives over academics, students longing for a true big name/big game athletic experience, and anyone who doesn’t care to make a difference in their (and others’) lives.

Well, with that being said, Swarthmore at its worst can make you feel claustrophobic, inept, apathetic, and extremely frustrated. You might even be tempted to heave your laptop out of the window of the library at the height of finals week. However, Swarthmore at its best can make you feel like you’re part of a select group as you increasingly become able to see the world through a different perspective. Most students here truly comprehend class concepts, while realizing just how much more there is yet to learn. Here you will witness some of the most amazing lectures, performances, and cultural events of your lifetime. You will meet some of the most intriguing people in the world, and among them will be your fellow classmates and professors. One thing’s for sure: After four years here, your life will be changed, for better or worse, and you’ll have Swarthmore to thank or blame for that.

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

I’m really happy to be at... I’m really happy to be at Swarthmore. If you want to meet incredible, intelligent, motivated people and you’re okay with sacrificing sleep, social life, sports, or schoolwork (I manage all of them, somehow), come to Swat. I know it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. 12345 Overall Experience Report

Anonymous says:

There are two weeks every semester... There are two weeks every semester when I wish I was anywhere else but Swarthmore. Those weeks are usually the week before midterms and the week before finals. There are also times when I feel overburdened with work and want to be at a school where professors don’t assign 150 pages of reading and call it a ‘light week.’ The rest of the time, I am glad that I am here. I have learned about five times as much in all of my classes as I ever did in high school. Swarthmore is a very intense school, but there is still plenty of room to have a social life and make friends. 12345 Overall Experience Report

Anonymous says:

I would say that Swarthmore has... I would say that Swarthmore has been really great and I don’t think there’s anyplace better that I would have rather gone to college. The academics are probably the best in the country—I really believe that you can get a better education here than at an Ivy League school. Getting a degree here is an arduous task, but in the end it’s worth it. 12345 Overall Experience Report

Anonymous says:

Let’s get this straight:... Let’s get this straight: Swarthmore is not for everybody. You have to be willing to work hard or else you’ll be miserable during your tenure here. You also have to be pretty idealistic to be comfortable here. Finally, the vast majority of students here were nerds in high school, so if you don’t feel comfortable around us, you won’t be happy here. 12345 Overall Experience Report

Anonymous says:

I don’t regret coming here, and... I don’t regret coming here, and it’s definitely become a part of my life and my future. Earning a Swarthmore degree is certainly not something everyone can accomplish. 12345 Overall Experience Report

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