Swarthmore College Reviews

Available but Pricey

The R3 train line runs right through Swarthmore, so if you plan it right, it's really easy to get into Philadelphia. The school also provides a shuttle, sometimes. Because it's regional rail instead of the subway, though, taking the train is kind of expensive, about ten dollars for a round trip, sometimes more depending on the hours.

Greek Life's Kind of Insular

The frats don't really bring much to the community as a whole, and they don't have nearly enough parties. But they seem to be a lot of fun for the people who are in them. In general, people at Swarthmore kind of look down on being in a frat or in LaSS, the girls' equivalent to a sorority. It's a good place to start if you're looking for someone attractive, though.

As a vegetarian, I know I’m pretty...

As a vegetarian, I know I’m pretty lucky to be at Swarthmore. There’s a good variety of vegetarian and vegan options. And although the dining hall can be a bit repetitive.

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.

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.

Swarthmore girls rarely wear a lot...

Swarthmore girls rarely wear a lot of makeup and are very low maintenance. Boys often wear their hair a little bit long. People on the whole are very open-minded about sex. Although long-term relationships are definitely the norm, it is easy to find a hookup if you want one.

Beauty is in the eye of the...

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. People here seem to find someone one way or another.

Swatties are generally considered...

Swatties are generally considered some of the least attractive people of any college. That may not be that far off, although there definitely are some cute girls here. Still, most people aren’t all that interested in how they look. Even if the people aren’t the most attractive, the girls (and guys) here are definitely more interesting than the hot ditzy girls you’ll find at a state school.

The facilities are nice—well-kept...

The facilities are nice—well-kept and well-stocked. Also, the gym is free, so I really can’t complain.

Generally, guys and girls aren’t...

Generally, guys and girls aren’t hot here. No one comes to Swat for the booty. It’s hard to date casually, and there are lots of serious couples. It’s all about marriages of the mind here.

Around Swat, you won’t need public...

Around Swat, you won’t need public transportation; walking is sufficient enough. Anywhere else, it’s best to take the train or bus. They both run on a schedule that they normally stick to rather well. As a New Yorker, my transportation system has spoiled me, so I won’t comment on it.

The weather here is not paradise...

The weather here is not paradise by any means. However, at least we don’t have to worry about hurricanes, tornados, or any other natural disasters.

We experience all four seasons, so...

We experience all four seasons, so bring all types of clothes. If you don’t, you’ll be sorry.

There is very convenient access to...

There is very convenient access to Philly and the surrounding area available. It’s pretty inexpensive, too.

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.

Classes Are Hard but Rewarding

Swarthmore's definitely difficult. I've taken a lot of discussion-based, smaller classes. It requires me to work really hard and really delve into the material I'm covering, and a lot of the time there isn't a right answer. It can be really overwhelming sometimes, but professors are generally available and helpful. People don't talk about their grades or if they're struggling, usually.

Gross Weather

The TV show It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia was making a joke. It usually rains in Philly, and there's pretty heavy yearly snowfall. April is probably the nicest month.

Essie Mae’s is very good. You can...

Essie Mae’s is very good. You can use your meals there and customize your food if you are feeling inventive. Weeknights, you can go to Paces, a student run café, that has very good food, but you have to pay out of your own pocket. Qub is a chill spot where you get tea for the most part, but it’s a good place to hang out.

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.

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.

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.

I think there’s a pretty decent...

I think there’s a pretty decent amount of attractive folks here . . . apparently, campus is getting more and more attractive every year.

Between the academic environment...

Between the academic environment and spending four years with an incredible group of people, you end up becoming a brilliant, interesting, and compassionate person by the time you graduate. Now that’s saying something about the quality of a university.

I actually like it here because...

I actually like it here because the people keep me entertained and are really loyal friends in the end. The profs are mad cool, and they write very nice recommendations. Profs here actually know who you are, which is not often the case at larger schools. Furthermore, despite the rain and humidity, the campus is beautiful, so it is relaxing to be outside. In the end, I’m glad I came.

My favorite thing about Swat is...

My favorite thing about Swat is definitely the students. Everyone I have met has an interesting story. The seemingly typical, quiet boy in your biology class may be writing a novel, or the friendly girl from down the hall could lead the Sierra Club student coalition. You’ll just never know, unless you get involved. I have stayed up until 3 a.m. with friends doing everything from taking tequila shots to discussing the problems with globalization to mud wrestling in the softball field.