Swarthmore College Summary

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Parrish Hall

Basic Statistics

Location
Swarthmore, PA
Website
www.swarthmore.edu
Full-Time Undergrads
1,510
Part-Time Undergrads
14
Setting
Suburban
In-State Tuition
$39,260
Out-of-State Tuition
$39,260
Room & Board
$12,100
Acceptance Rate
15 %
Admission Difficulty
Very Hard
Average SAT Scores
2030–2300
Average ACT Scores
30–34

Best ThingsMore . . .

  • Arboretum and a beautiful campus
  • Close-knit, family-like campus community
  • Free parties (free alcohol)
  • Administration and Public Policy officers are there to help you, not get you in trouble.

Worst ThingsMore . . .

  • The feeling of being drowned by the workload
  • No Wawa (the Philly area's most popular convenience store)
  • Lack of dining options (only one main dining hall)
  • Sometimes students are too caught up in their work.

Frequently ComparedCompare . . .

Overall ExperienceWhat's This?

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.

Swarthmore Student Reviews

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2
Swarthmore College Greek Life was reviewed by mburdan1
B-

The Greek life is practically non-existent at this college. The school actually phased out all sororities, and the two surviving fraternities are very small and have little clout in the social scene. It is perhaps for the best, as the attitude of Swatties focuses on egalitarian, anti-elitism. All parties, if funded by the school, must be open to the entire campus. If you are looking for a dynamic Greek scene, choose another school.

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1
Swarthmore College Academics was reviewed by mburdan1
A

I studied within the three major divisions; a major in psychology and double minor in biology and English Literature (Social Sciences, Physical Sciences, Humanities respectively). The only problem I had was that I had spread myself too thin. I noticed many peers having tremendous relationships with their professors, but I barely knew many of mine as I had little overlap between classes. Regardless, I felt that I could approach any professor at any time and receive the help I needed. That was a good feeling.

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1
Swarthmore College Scholarships was reviewed by mburdan1
A-

I received an excellent amount of financial aid, given my circumstances. I was, however, disappointed that the move towards no loans occurred during my senior year. Therefore, I only received that benefit for two semesters. Today, Swarthmore does not include loans in aid packages, which means less debt for students. There are merit-based scholarships available, too, but I did not receive any.

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0
Swarthmore College Academics was reviewed by mburdan1
A+

Exceptional faculty and diverse classes are available. I was able to study psychology, biology and English Lit., while taking dance, Old English and linguistics. The courses cover a breadth of information, but the discussions allow for deeper understanding. Easy to sign up, the registrar's office is very accessible. The workload is not for the faint of heart, however.

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0
Swarthmore College Diversity was reviewed by sweetome1
C-

Phenotypically speaking people are different. However, we hear the same damn annoying voices speaking up and crying about the same damn thing. Most people here are liberal and if you don't fit that, don't come if you don't like being attacked. IRONY!

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