W&M vs UVA vs Swarthmore?

[Anonymous]

Searching for info about Swarthmore and came across this thread. I had high hopes before our visit because of Swarthmore's reputation. I also love the idea of a small school where kids and professors really get to know each other. But I hated it and so did my DC. The campus is lovely but we barely saw any students walking around (maybe because the campus is big for a small school). The campus was lifeless. The few students we saw were studying. the presentation seemed to place a lot of emphasis on academics, not about community, clubs or fun. Hate to write off the school (though I think my DC might have). Am I missing something?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Searching for info about Swarthmore and came across this thread. I had high hopes before our visit because of Swarthmore's reputation. I also love the idea of a small school where kids and professors really get to know each other. But I hated it and so did my DC. The campus is lovely but we barely saw any students walking around (maybe because the campus is big for a small school). The campus was lifeless. The few students we saw were studying. the presentation seemed to place a lot of emphasis on academics, not about community, clubs or fun. Hate to write off the school (though I think my DC might have). Am I missing something?

When did you visit? Did you visit during a break? During exams?

[Anonymous]

Swarthmore seems miserable. I’d choose UVA.

[Anonymous]

Easy choice W&M, great school, involved faculty, excellent grad school and job placement, warm welcoming student body.

[Anonymous]

My kid would pick Swarthmore out of those options. W&M would be second choice.

[Anonymous]

Similar. Dilemma. We picked uva over Williams. Wanted commerce.

[Anonymous]

My very smart (NMSF, top grades, etc) but very social kid HATED Swarthmore. HATED it. We have a family who is a professor there so really wanted to like it but it was probably the school this kid liked the least of the 20 we visited.

Didn't like W&M either. Campus felt dead, kids seemed very quirky.

Kid is now at UVA and loving it. It's been a perfect fit for a smart kid who wants a social, traditional college experience.

You have to find the right college for the kid.

[Anonymous]

It's a wonderful place for the right kid. It's the right place for mine who is very happy there. Fortunately, there are hundreds of other choices so there is no need to wonder "what you're missing."

[Anonymous]

This was a thread from a prior year. They would have already made their choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Similar. Dilemma. We picked uva over Williams. Wanted commerce.

Yikes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Searching for info about Swarthmore and came across this thread. I had high hopes before our visit because of Swarthmore's reputation. I also love the idea of a small school where kids and professors really get to know each other. But I hated it and so did my DC. The campus is lovely but we barely saw any students walking around (maybe because the campus is big for a small school). The campus was lifeless. The few students we saw were studying. the presentation seemed to place a lot of emphasis on academics, not about community, clubs or fun. Hate to write off the school (though I think my DC might have). Am I missing something?

My DD is a junior at Swat, and your impression is similar to mine. We have been there several times, often when the weather is perfect, and . . . there is absolutely no one around. It's weird. She is mostly happy there, but it's definitely not as social as other schools.

[Anonymous]

My DC is at Swat. Very social, outdoorsy, takes on a tough workload. Has made a great group of friends. It's not a party school but they do have a lot of fun on campus. Very happy with the choice of Swat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If they like small, William and Mary if you’re in state. I can’t imagine paying for Swarthmore when they have choices loke UVA and W&M.

Don’t listen to these penny pinching folks: Swarthmore is way more prestigious than UVA. It is not even close. Hard to believe this is even a serious question….

Loved Swarthmore when we visited -- but a completely different experience than UVA. Depends on type of college experience kid wants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Similar. Dilemma. We picked uva over Williams. Wanted commerce.

Yikes

Yikes indeed! Econ at Williams is a direct pipeline to the street (not be confused with Bucknell, of course). And you chose….Virginia????

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Searching for info about Swarthmore and came across this thread. I had high hopes before our visit because of Swarthmore's reputation. I also love the idea of a small school where kids and professors really get to know each other. But I hated it and so did my DC. The campus is lovely but we barely saw any students walking around (maybe because the campus is big for a small school). The campus was lifeless. The few students we saw were studying. the presentation seemed to place a lot of emphasis on academics, not about community, clubs or fun. Hate to write off the school (though I think my DC might have). Am I missing something?

My DD is a junior at Swat, and your impression is similar to mine. We have been there several times, often when the weather is perfect, and . . . there is absolutely no one around. It's weird. She is mostly happy there, but it's definitely not as social as other schools.

Isn’t this partly a function of it being a small student body on a large campus?