Tell us about Swarthmore

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Swarthmore seems to have a very unique approach to engineering. Any thoughts from grads and/or practicing engineers as to their program’s quality and career-preparedness? My daughter wants the LAC experience and yet wants to study engineering so it’s a tough hybrid to find. Most LAC’s offer at best a physics or a non-certified engineering degree.

Swarthmore is overrated to begin with, one has to wonder how good its engineering department really is. It would be difficult for a liberal arts college to duplicate even a state university engineering dept because of the cost of the infrastructure. There are schools like Wellesley that partners with Olin and MIT to address liberal arts college’s shortcomings. I’d be skeptical of Swarthmore’s going it alone. If PP could visit Swarthmore engineering, s/he might want to use a state university engineering dept as a yard stick. I doubt Swarthmore’s engineering is as well funded as a state uni engineering dept.

Yikes, what an ill-informed post. Swarthmore is one of the most well-funded colleges on earth.

Swarthmore College is well funded. We are talking about Swarthmore engineering. Engineering dept isn’t cheap. I’d be skeptical Swarthmore engineering is as good as a state uni engineering dept.

So...what you have to offer us is your skepticism. Based on nothing. Gotcha. Hey thanks. So glad you stopped by.

https://best-engineering-colleges.com/swarthmore-college

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Swarthmore seems to have a very unique approach to engineering. Any thoughts from grads and/or practicing engineers as to their program’s quality and career-preparedness? My daughter wants the LAC experience and yet wants to study engineering so it’s a tough hybrid to find. Most LAC’s offer at best a physics or a non-certified engineering degree.

Sounds like PP already made up his or her mind. If s/he’s not interested in hearing anything that opposes Swarthmore’s “very unique approach to engineering,” one has to wonder why s/he posted about her daughter and Swarthmore engineering. Doesn’t make sense - unless this is a troll post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Swarthmore seems to have a very unique approach to engineering. Any thoughts from grads and/or practicing engineers as to their program’s quality and career-preparedness? My daughter wants the LAC experience and yet wants to study engineering so it’s a tough hybrid to find. Most LAC’s offer at best a physics or a non-certified engineering degree.

Sounds like PP already made up his or her mind. If s/he’s not interested in hearing anything that opposes Swarthmore’s “very unique approach to engineering,” one has to wonder why s/he posted about her daughter and Swarthmore engineering. Doesn’t make sense - unless this is a troll post.

I’m the one who allegedly made up his mind. Unique in that it is a general engineering degree with a heavy dose of other non-engineering classes. The latter doesn’t allow time for the specialization and depth that the traditional approach affords. Didn’t say it was better or worse, merely unique, and curious what those in the discipline thought of their approach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There’s one ranking of Swarthmore engineering at #313 in the USA.


https://best-engineering-colleges.com/swarthmore-college

These rankings seem pretty strange. Where is the methodology identified? Princeton in front of MIT?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Swarthmore seems to have a very unique approach to engineering. Any thoughts from grads and/or practicing engineers as to their program’s quality and career-preparedness? My daughter wants the LAC experience and yet wants to study engineering so it’s a tough hybrid to find. Most LAC’s offer at best a physics or a non-certified engineering degree.

Sounds like PP already made up his or her mind. If s/he’s not interested in hearing anything that opposes Swarthmore’s “very unique approach to engineering,” one has to wonder why s/he posted about her daughter and Swarthmore engineering. Doesn’t make sense - unless this is a troll post.

I’m the one who allegedly made up his mind. Unique in that it is a general engineering degree with a heavy dose of other non-engineering classes. The latter doesn’t allow time for the specialization and depth that the traditional approach affords. Didn’t say it was better or worse, merely unique, and curious what those in the discipline thought of their approach.

There’s nothing “unique” about Swarthmore’s following the footsteps of so many research unis, both private and public, offering engineering degrees. The only unique aspect is that Swarthmore is supposedly a liberal arts college that generally avoids pre-professional programs such as finance, accounting, nursing, physical therapy, etc. As such, I am skeptical of its offering, primarily because of the cost involved in setting up a research-level engineering dept. It’s no wonder S’s engineering is rated so low. The most successful liberal arts schools offering engineering programs work in tandem with research universities with dedicated engineering programs, e.g., MIT, Caltech, Columbia SEAS, Dartmouth Thayer, WashU... there’s just no way a school like S can hope to match the resources and breath of these research schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The ones I’ve known from Swarthmore are arrogant tools. I wish it wasn’t the case because it sounds like an amazing place.

Good friend with a fairly successful career yet still pulls that Swartmore card out whenever she gets the chance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Swarthmore seems to have a very unique approach to engineering. Any thoughts from grads and/or practicing engineers as to their program’s quality and career-preparedness? My daughter wants the LAC experience and yet wants to study engineering so it’s a tough hybrid to find. Most LAC’s offer at best a physics or a non-certified engineering degree.

Sounds like PP already made up his or her mind. If s/he’s not interested in hearing anything that opposes Swarthmore’s “very unique approach to engineering,” one has to wonder why s/he posted about her daughter and Swarthmore engineering. Doesn’t make sense - unless this is a troll post.

I’m the one who allegedly made up his mind. Unique in that it is a general engineering degree with a heavy dose of other non-engineering classes. The latter doesn’t allow time for the specialization and depth that the traditional approach affords. Didn’t say it was better or worse, merely unique, and curious what those in the discipline thought of their approach.

There’s nothing “unique” about Swarthmore’s following the footsteps of so many research unis, both private and public, offering engineering degrees. The only unique aspect is that Swarthmore is supposedly a liberal arts college that generally avoids pre-professional programs such as finance, accounting, nursing, physical therapy, etc. As such, I am skeptical of its offering, primarily because of the cost involved in setting up a research-level engineering dept. It’s no wonder S’s engineering is rated so low. The most successful liberal arts schools offering engineering programs work in tandem with research universities with dedicated engineering programs, e.g., MIT, Caltech, Columbia SEAS, Dartmouth Thayer, WashU... there’s just no way a school like S can hope to match the resources and breath of these research schools.

PP, don’t listen to this clown. Has no clue. Wait for an actual engineer or someone with an informed opinion to respond.

[Anonymous]

One advantage of Swarthmore’s engineering is that if your daughter decides it isn’t for her the school is strong in so many other areas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Swarthmore seems to have a very unique approach to engineering. Any thoughts from grads and/or practicing engineers as to their program’s quality and career-preparedness? My daughter wants the LAC experience and yet wants to study engineering so it’s a tough hybrid to find. Most LAC’s offer at best a physics or a non-certified engineering degree.

Sounds like PP already made up his or her mind. If s/he’s not interested in hearing anything that opposes Swarthmore’s “very unique approach to engineering,” one has to wonder why s/he posted about her daughter and Swarthmore engineering. Doesn’t make sense - unless this is a troll post.

I’m the one who allegedly made up his mind. Unique in that it is a general engineering degree with a heavy dose of other non-engineering classes. The latter doesn’t allow time for the specialization and depth that the traditional approach affords. Didn’t say it was better or worse, merely unique, and curious what those in the discipline thought of their approach.

There’s nothing “unique” about Swarthmore’s following the footsteps of so many research unis, both private and public, offering engineering degrees. The only unique aspect is that Swarthmore is supposedly a liberal arts college that generally avoids pre-professional programs such as finance, accounting, nursing, physical therapy, etc. As such, I am skeptical of its offering, primarily because of the cost involved in setting up a research-level engineering dept. It’s no wonder S’s engineering is rated so low. The most successful liberal arts schools offering engineering programs work in tandem with research universities with dedicated engineering programs, e.g., MIT, Caltech, Columbia SEAS, Dartmouth Thayer, WashU... there’s just no way a school like S can hope to match the resources and breath of these research schools.

PP, don’t listen to this clown. Has no clue. Wait for an actual engineer or someone with an informed opinion to respond.

Waiting for a legitimate Swarthmore engineer would be like waiting for Goudeau. Good luck with that. Network opportunities are minimal compared to MIT, Caltech, Columbia SEAS, Harvey Mudd...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Swarthmore seems to have a very unique approach to engineering. Any thoughts from grads and/or practicing engineers as to their program’s quality and career-preparedness? My daughter wants the LAC experience and yet wants to study engineering so it’s a tough hybrid to find. Most LAC’s offer at best a physics or a non-certified engineering degree.

Sounds like PP already made up his or her mind. If s/he’s not interested in hearing anything that opposes Swarthmore’s “very unique approach to engineering,” one has to wonder why s/he posted about her daughter and Swarthmore engineering. Doesn’t make sense - unless this is a troll post.

I’m the one who allegedly made up his mind. Unique in that it is a general engineering degree with a heavy dose of other non-engineering classes. The latter doesn’t allow time for the specialization and depth that the traditional approach affords. Didn’t say it was better or worse, merely unique, and curious what those in the discipline thought of their approach.

There’s nothing “unique” about Swarthmore’s following the footsteps of so many research unis, both private and public, offering engineering degrees. The only unique aspect is that Swarthmore is supposedly a liberal arts college that generally avoids pre-professional programs such as finance, accounting, nursing, physical therapy, etc. As such, I am skeptical of its offering, primarily because of the cost involved in setting up a research-level engineering dept. It’s no wonder S’s engineering is rated so low. The most successful liberal arts schools offering engineering programs work in tandem with research universities with dedicated engineering programs, e.g., MIT, Caltech, Columbia SEAS, Dartmouth Thayer, WashU... there’s just no way a school like S can hope to match the resources and breath of these research schools.

PP, don’t listen to this clown. Has no clue. Wait for an actual engineer or someone with an informed opinion to respond.

Waiting for a legitimate Swarthmore engineer would be like waiting for Goudeau. Good luck with that. Network opportunities are minimal compared to MIT, Caltech, Columbia SEAS, Harvey Mudd...

Its spelled Godot

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Swarthmore seems to have a very unique approach to engineering. Any thoughts from grads and/or practicing engineers as to their program’s quality and career-preparedness? My daughter wants the LAC experience and yet wants to study engineering so it’s a tough hybrid to find. Most LAC’s offer at best a physics or a non-certified engineering degree.

Sounds like PP already made up his or her mind. If s/he’s not interested in hearing anything that opposes Swarthmore’s “very unique approach to engineering,” one has to wonder why s/he posted about her daughter and Swarthmore engineering. Doesn’t make sense - unless this is a troll post.

I’m the one who allegedly made up his mind. Unique in that it is a general engineering degree with a heavy dose of other non-engineering classes. The latter doesn’t allow time for the specialization and depth that the traditional approach affords. Didn’t say it was better or worse, merely unique, and curious what those in the discipline thought of their approach.

There’s nothing “unique” about Swarthmore’s following the footsteps of so many research unis, both private and public, offering engineering degrees. The only unique aspect is that Swarthmore is supposedly a liberal arts college that generally avoids pre-professional programs such as finance, accounting, nursing, physical therapy, etc. As such, I am skeptical of its offering, primarily because of the cost involved in setting up a research-level engineering dept. It’s no wonder S’s engineering is rated so low. The most successful liberal arts schools offering engineering programs work in tandem with research universities with dedicated engineering programs, e.g., MIT, Caltech, Columbia SEAS, Dartmouth Thayer, WashU... there’s just no way a school like S can hope to match the resources and breath of these research schools.

PP, don’t listen to this clown. Has no clue. Wait for an actual engineer or someone with an informed opinion to respond.

Waiting for a legitimate Swarthmore engineer would be like waiting for Goudeau. Good luck with that. Network opportunities are minimal compared to MIT, Caltech, Columbia SEAS, Harvey Mudd...

Its spelled Godot

Well, you get the point. It’s June 15 now. OP’s kid probably has committed and paid a deposit to S and Dad looks like he’s having a buyer’s remorse at this point. He probably does need an alum to give him reassurance. IMO, he is needlessly worrying about his daughter.

[Anonymous]

^^She’s a junior. You seem bright.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^She’s a junior. You seem bright.

Then don’t worry until you get there. Not everyone gets into S. It’s kind of like a junior worrying about a Harvard engineering program. Come back after your kid gets in first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^She’s a junior. You seem bright.

Then don’t worry until you get there. Not everyone gets into S. It’s kind of like a junior worrying about a Harvard engineering program. Come back after your kid gets in first.

But to get in in the first place you have to show that you are a good fit through essays. Add in the commitment if you get in ED plus the cost of applying to each school and it’s totally normal to discern fit before you even apply.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you

No football team. What are you supposed to do on a Saturday afternoon in the fall? Watch a women's soccer match against Wellesley?

No thanks!

No football team? No school spirit. And if you ain't got school spirit at a small LAC, you ain't got the prototypical SLAC experience.

You may as well enroll at Drexel.

You're either a neanderthal or a troll. Maybe both.