Swarthmore College
- Parking

Quick Stats

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

Don’t bring a car to campus—you won’t need it, even if you want to go into Philly every week. SEPTA is pretty reliable and a lot cheaper than the cost of gas and parking, which are more reasons why few students have cars. If you must have a car on campus, you will need to apply to a campus committee the year before you’d like to bring your car. Students need fill out an application that they can get through Public Safety or online; then, the Car Authorization Committee evaluates the applications, giving preference to upperclassmen. The process is a lottery system, and even if you get a permit, it does not mean you will be guaranteed a parking space.

If you are approved, you will be assigned your very own Swarthmore parking pass. There is one catch, though. If you get a campus parking permit, you are required by Worth Health Center to take students to and from doctors’ offices or the hospital once in a while. If you don’t get a campus space, there’s always the borough of Swarthmore, although it’s sometimes much harder to find a space there. You can get a parking permit in the Ville for $50, but the police are on constant lookout for illegal parkers, so unless you have a good reason and are willing to put up with the hassle, leave your car at home with your parents.

Swarthmore Student ReviewsWhat's This?

Sort by:

Most RecentMost PopularHighest Grades

Parking at Swarthmore College

cofitz

'15

Political Science and Government

2.7

C+

Scarce

The campus, though only 20 or so miles from Philly, is fairly isolated and few students have cars. Although the lack of cars also has to do with the lack of available parking spaces. I think this semester, over 40 students applied for fewer than ten spaces.

Jan 25, 2012

Comment actions: Rate

12345

Report as inappropriate/inaccurate

Parking at Swarthmore College

collegedarling14

'14

Political Science and Government

2.3

C

What Parking?

The percentage of students on campus is relatively low since the majority of students live within a mile of campus. It's convenient to be able to walk everywhere in less than 25 minutes (and it only takes this long is you get oh so lucky to live in Mary Lyons). For those who still feel the need to bring a car have fun with the people that administer the parking permits. You have to give a REALLY REALLY REALLY good reason that you need to park on campus.

Feb 07, 2011

Comment actions: Rate

12345

Report as inappropriate/inaccurate

Parking at Swarthmore College

Huzilla

'12

Economics

3.1

B-

Parking

Permits aren't that expensive but generally reserved for upperclassmen. It's only reasonable to have a car if you like going off campus a lot, as parking spots are in bad places for going to class. Underclassmen are screwed but can pay a small fortune to park in the Ville. But why would they?

Nov 02, 2010

Comment actions: Rate

12345

Report as inappropriate/inaccurate

What do you think of your school? Register to submit reviews to let others know what it's really like »

First

Previous

Page 1 of 6

Next

Last

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate the campus parking on the following topics

How convenient is off-campus parking?

Facts