W&M vs UVA vs Swarthmore?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

I don't think so. The campus isn't really that large, the dorms are not far-flung, and most of the students live on campus. My alma mater is the DCUM-hated Colgate, so I know my experience is skewed to the party side of college life . . . but the difference could not be more marked. Even parents weekend at Swat felt very quiet. My DD does have a social life there, but the overall vibe is not carefree and fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
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.

Most of them are doing something all the time. You want to see them, go to McCabe or Sharples or Clothier or Lang or to any of the dorms like Willets or any of the other halls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First, congrats on having such great options.

Second, if money is not a factor here, definitely Swat. W & M and UVA are excellent schools, but Swarthmore is nearly unparalleled in terms of the intellectual experience that it offers students.

This point right here. +1,000,000. Also, easy public transportation into Philly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

I don't think so. The campus isn't really that large, the dorms are not far-flung, and most of the students live on campus. My alma mater is the DCUM-hated Colgate, so I know my experience is skewed to the party side of college life . . . but the difference could not be more marked. Even parents weekend at Swat felt very quiet. My DD does have a social life there, but the overall vibe is not carefree and fun.

I don't know, I think 425 acres for that many students is proportionally large and the some of the dorms are spread out by the athletic fields and beyond. I agree it's quiet, but for some that might be a plus. Fun is defined differently for each kid.

[Anonymous]

If you would like to consider Swarthmore in the context of universities, this analysis ranks it highly and included it as one of just four featured schools (along with Princeton, Yale and Hamilton):

https://wallethub.com/edu/e/college-rankings/40750

[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….

Some people go to college for an education, not prestige.

[Anonymous]

If they want shall, throw out UVA.

I prefer the vibe of W&M over Swarthmore. Both attract smart students, but at W &M they seem happy and bonded. Swarthmore students seem driven and competitive (in a bad way).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If they want shall, throw out UVA.

I prefer the vibe of W&M over Swarthmore. Both attract smart students, but at W &M they seem happy and bonded. Swarthmore students seem driven and competitive (in a bad way).

And you're basing this on what? Competitiveness (in a bad way) has not been our DC's experience at Swat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC likes small college community but worried about limited number of courses esp in stem.

Swarthmore's weakness in physical sciences may be its lack of a geosciences program. However, I don't believe U.Va. offers much in the way of the geology component of geosciences, which I'd regard as a lack of breadth in physical sciences as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you would like to consider Swarthmore in the context of universities, this analysis ranks it highly and included it as one of just four featured schools (along with Princeton, Yale and Hamilton):

https://wallethub.com/edu/e/college-rankings/40750

This site ranks Swarthmore at a rarefied #11, University of Virginia at #44 and William & Mary at #77.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you would like to consider Swarthmore in the context of universities, this analysis ranks it highly and included it as one of just four featured schools (along with Princeton, Yale and Hamilton):

https://wallethub.com/edu/e/college-rankings/40750

This site ranks Swarthmore at a rarefied #11, University of Virginia at #44 and William & Mary at #77.

Correction: William & Mary placed 71st.

[Anonymous]

You should visit Bucnell. Has everything you want or need. And has a Pipeline to The Street.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to HYP and Swarthmore is one of the few colleges that seriously impresses me. If it were even money and STEM were not a factor, I'd say swat in a heartbeat. But if your kid is doing STEM, and if the price differential is high, I'd go with a public.

Ha ha what a ridiculous post showing a complete lack of self awareness. That you went to HYP gives no greater weight to your OPINION. And that’s what we’re talking about here - opinions, not facts.

Are you this insufferable in real life?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ha ha what a ridiculous post showing a complete lack of self awareness. That you went to HYP gives no greater weight to your OPINION. And that’s what we’re talking about here - opinions, not facts.

Are you this insufferable in real life?

It wasn't a ridiculous post and actually their opinion carries far more weight than that of a boorish uncredentialed lout like you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ha ha what a ridiculous post showing a complete lack of self awareness. That you went to HYP gives no greater weight to your OPINION. And that’s what we’re talking about here - opinions, not facts.

Are you this insufferable in real life?

It wasn't a ridiculous post and actually their opinion carries far more weight than that of a boorish uncredentialed lout like you.

I didn’t offer an opinion.