Swarthmore vs. Yale

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:OP back to add that DD is not anticipating a career in music. She's thinking a professional career (actuary? CPA? lawyer?) so the draw of Yale Music is less. Lots of great thoughts here. We are taking a break from the family discussion tonight. I suspect she'll commit to one and tell me after the fact. I do support her either way. The danger in me telling her what to do is the risk that she will blame me if she doesn't like whatever she chooses. She and I are very close, but I am not willing to risk that. This is the first truly adult decision of her life and I'll guide her, question her, research for her, but I won't decide for her.

I have not followed this whole thread but if it were my child she would be going to Yale even if she wanted Swat.

I would never force my kid to go somewhere just for the name. And I went to Yale.

Yale is not just a name.

I am pp. it’s more like I don’t love swat for various reasons and would put it below many schools, whereas Yale is Yale. I think kids sometimes lack perspective in making important decisions.

DP here. You are certainly entitled to your opinion. But I find it perfectly reasonable to pick Swarthmore over Yale.

Yale is at least fun

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:DD is torn in deciding. She likes the beautiful, smaller campus of Swarthmore and the arts programs but she doesn’t know if that’s enough reason to turn down the name of Yale. Majoring in music and math. I would say a touch immature for her age where a smaller feel might be the difference between surviving and thriving. Don’t know how to advise her!

Thoughts?

If she selects Swarthmore, be sure to purchase a Yale hoodie to prove that she got in as know one is likely to believe her otherwise.

Quite a few kids turn down Yale for other Ivies and top SLACs. Yale has lost some of its academic prestige. It's basically Brown now with a larger endowment and a worse location.

Um no

DP but what really is the major difference between Yale and Brown-they're pretty similar other than Yale's residential college system which I'm sure impacts the culture. Both have strong programs in the humanities and a more lax, supportive academic culture.

I work all over the world. Everyone knows Yale. No one really knows Brown. Brown has a relatively have a lax academic culture but Yale definitely does not. I have a kid at Yale and a nephew at Brown. Other family members have gone to both as well.

Why would you say so? Every alum from DS's high school that's gone to Yale has reported back it's much easier and chill compared to high school. It really doesn't have a reputation for being academically rigorous.

Then why did Rory have to drop that econ class?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Students at Yale have more fun; Swarthmore students experience high levels of stress due to academics. But, the location of Swarthmore is beautiful while New Haven is not.

Yale has a stronger math and music program

[Anonymous]

https://catalog.yale.edu/search/?P=MATH%202560

This course, which can be taken by freshmen, has no equivalent at Swarthmore

[Anonymous]

I think I commented on this thread but if not - Yale.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You'd be an idiot to go to Swarthmore over Yale College.

Anyone who thinks that Yale is a no brainer over Swarthmore is an idiot. Swarthmore is arguably more of an intellectual heavyweight than Yale (or Harvard). One of my high school classmates wanted to attend Swarthmore but got rejected; another got waitlisted at Amherst and Williams. So they both went to Yale. The year before, a classmate who was accepted at Harvard and Yale matriculated at Swarthmore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You'd be an idiot to go to Swarthmore over Yale College.

Anyone who thinks that Yale is a no brainer over Swarthmore is an idiot. Swarthmore is arguably more of an intellectual heavyweight than Yale (or Harvard). One of my high school classmates wanted to attend Swarthmore but got rejected; another got waitlisted at Amherst and Williams. So they both went to Yale. The year before, a classmate who was accepted at Harvard and Yale matriculated at Swarthmore.

Your experience two decades ago is less than irrelevant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://catalog.yale.edu/search/?P=MATH%202560

This course, which can be taken by freshmen, has no equivalent at Swarthmore

It’s literally just an intro analysis course. It’s not that deep.

[Anonymous]

Recently visited Swat with my DC. The campus is beautiful but seemed devoid of student life. We didn't see many students. The vibe was depressing. Maybe because the campus is large for such a small student body? The day we went was beautiful so the lack of kids walking around wasn't due to the weather. Also, very little emphasis on groups and activities. The focus was on academics. DC won't be applying.

We haven't toured Yale yet, so can't comment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:You'd be an idiot to go to Swarthmore over Yale College.

Anyone who thinks that Yale is a no brainer over Swarthmore is an idiot. Swarthmore is arguably more of an intellectual heavyweight than Yale (or Harvard). One of my high school classmates wanted to attend Swarthmore but got rejected; another got waitlisted at Amherst and Williams. So they both went to Yale. The year before, a classmate who was accepted at Harvard and Yale matriculated at Swarthmore.

Your experience two decades ago is less than irrelevant.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Swarthmore/comments/1c1yovl/deciding_between_swarthmore_stanford_and_harvard/

https://www.reddit.com/r/ApplyingToCollege/comments/1jxrqkp/swarthmore_urochester_or_harvard/

https://www.reddit.com/r/ApplyingToCollege/comments/1iyrpof/admitted_mit_harvard_swarthmore_pomona_and_reed/

[Anonymous]

Yale campus is gorgeous, adjacent areas of New Haven vibrant with great restaurants and bars. Tons of social life on campus particularly for music and arts students (built in group). Have two kids there one got a double freshman year and single sophomore year and the other a single both years, both in suites with 5 other students. Live off campus but very close Jr and Sr years. Colleges living set up gives a the school a smaller group feel with dedicated dining halls although you can eat anywhere. We are not Jewish but kids love the dining hall at the Jewish Center where lots of different kids congregate. Have been to Swarthmore which is very pretty but lacking the stately architecture in my opinion. Could seem too small by Junior year but depends on the student, obviously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yale campus is gorgeous, adjacent areas of New Haven vibrant with great restaurants and bars. Tons of social life on campus particularly for music and arts students (built in group). Have two kids there one got a double freshman year and single sophomore year and the other a single both years, both in suites with 5 other students. Live off campus but very close Jr and Sr years. Colleges living set up gives a the school a smaller group feel with dedicated dining halls although you can eat anywhere. We are not Jewish but kids love the dining hall at the Jewish Center where lots of different kids congregate. Have been to Swarthmore which is very pretty but lacking the stately architecture in my opinion. Could seem too small by Junior year but depends on the student, obviously.

Stately architecture is hilarious.

[Anonymous]

Yale without a doubt

[Anonymous]

Yale is ugly but worth the opportunity

[Anonymous]

OP, what did your student decide??