Tell me about your happy Swarthmore student or recent alum?

[Anonymous]

My nephew, a HS junior, recently visited Swarthmore and really liked it. He's a quiet, amiable, friendly, thoughtful kid with a wry sense of humor. He is being recruited to play a team sport. He's an excellent student and will have many options. Our family includes alums of several highly-ranked LACs, but no Swarthmore grads. There's a lot of pressure on my nephew to go to one of these other schools. Last night, as we gathered for pre-Thanksgiving pizza, some family members were open about their perception that Swarthmore students are, in general, unhappy. I felt terrible for my nephew and refrained from joining in, though I've certainly heard this critique of Swarthmore before (and though I'd love for him to attend my own alma mater). If you have a child or close family member who attends or recently graduated from Swarthmore, I'd appreciate your thoughts on the campus vibe. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

I have a good friend whose son is a junior there. He’s on the baseball team and he’s very happy. My son has a friend there who’s a senior on the men’s soccer team and he also likes it.

If your nephew goes there and likes his teammates and coaches, he’ll probably enjoy his experience.

[Anonymous]

It's a weird school for quirky kids and it sounds like he will fit in just fine. Excellent place if it's your jam.

[Anonymous]

My DD is a senior. She has had a good experience there, but she will be the first to tell you that the academics are intense and can be overwhelming if you let them. She also says that athletes are much more social than the rest of the student body.

[Anonymous]

My daughter’s best friend is a freshman athlete and having the time of her life. There seems to be very little interaction between the athletes and other students.

[Anonymous]

I know a current junior athlete who seems very happy there. Nice, normal, well-adjusted kid. Chose Swarthmore over other top SLACs. Liberal arts major.

[Anonymous]

Friend’s athlete son tried pre-med route but switched to Econ and is a lot happier now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD is a senior. She has had a good experience there, but she will be the first to tell you that the academics are intense and can be overwhelming if you let them. She also says that athletes are much more social than the rest of the student body.

Our tour guide said the athletes sort of run the on campus party scene. Sounded like others tend to go into city or to Haverford frats or study.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My nephew, a HS junior, recently visited Swarthmore and really liked it. He's a quiet, amiable, friendly, thoughtful kid with a wry sense of humor. He is being recruited to play a team sport. He's an excellent student and will have many options. Our family includes alums of several highly-ranked LACs, but no Swarthmore grads. There's a lot of pressure on my nephew to go to one of these other schools. Last night, as we gathered for pre-Thanksgiving pizza, some family members were open about their perception that Swarthmore students are, in general, unhappy. I felt terrible for my nephew and refrained from joining in, though I've certainly heard this critique of Swarthmore before (and though I'd love for him to attend my own alma mater). If you have a child or close family member who attends or recently graduated from Swarthmore, I'd appreciate your thoughts on the campus vibe. Thank you!

Swarthmore is changing a lot, for better or worse. Between the 30% or so athletes and the 1/4 of the class first gen (almost no overlap), you have lots of pre-professional types wanting to major in something “practical” and not in it for the old intellectual experience. It is becoming more and more like any other top SLAC. Housing sucks though — many kids we spoke with said you can’t rely on getting a single until senior year (while most freshmen at Haverford have them).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My nephew, a HS junior, recently visited Swarthmore and really liked it. He's a quiet, amiable, friendly, thoughtful kid with a wry sense of humor. He is being recruited to play a team sport. He's an excellent student and will have many options. Our family includes alums of several highly-ranked LACs, but no Swarthmore grads. There's a lot of pressure on my nephew to go to one of these other schools. Last night, as we gathered for pre-Thanksgiving pizza, some family members were open about their perception that Swarthmore students are, in general, unhappy. I felt terrible for my nephew and refrained from joining in, though I've certainly heard this critique of Swarthmore before (and though I'd love for him to attend my own alma mater). If you have a child or close family member who attends or recently graduated from Swarthmore, I'd appreciate your thoughts on the campus vibe. Thank you!

Swarthmore is changing a lot, for better or worse. Between the 30% or so athletes and the 1/4 of the class first gen (almost no overlap), you have lots of pre-professional types wanting to major in something “practical” and not in it for the old intellectual experience. It is becoming more and more like any other top SLAC. Housing sucks though — many kids we spoke with said you can’t rely on getting a single until senior year (while most freshmen at Haverford have them).

Intellectual community is driven by faculty making crap hard, in simple words. The issue they have is they wouldn’t dare fail a student, but if they could, the community would change over night.

[Anonymous]

Sophomore student there now. Musician and dancer not athlete. Very happy. Studying mathematics. Doing well academically but not all A’s like high school. Campus friends are a good match for her. She studies but has plenty of time for her hobbies and friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter’s best friend is a freshman athlete and having the time of her life. There seems to be very little interaction between the athletes and other students.

If she’s an athlete, she just needs to go talk to students who aren’t like her. There’s not really a reason for non-athletes to avoid talking to athletes.

[Anonymous]

Your nephew sound just like DC who is having a wonderful time at Swarthmore. The days are just packed and academics is intense. If your nephew is prepared to put in the effort, he'll have a wonderful time at Swarthmore and have fun doing it. DC loves the learning environment (it is collaborative),professors (most are very good), friends (great bunch of really nice kids who do stuff together on and off campus) and the stunningly beautiful campus.

I agree with a previous poster who pointed out that a greater % of majors are pre-professional. I tend to think this is a good thing as it creates highly employable graduates. But to be clear, most do take a breadth of courses beyond their major. Also, nearly 40% of Swat grads double major.

As a rule of thumb, if you did well in rigorous high school courses, you should have no problem navigating Swarthmore, even though you will feel the pressure from time to time. If you come from an under-resourced school you would likely feel a lot more pressure.

[Anonymous]

I know a few kids there now because I graduated in the 90's so a few of my college friends' kids have started to go. My kid applied ED this season and is anxiously awaiting news next week and has a few friends there. They looked at many SLACs and ultimately loved Swat the most. Yes it's changed a bit as discussed in this thread (more pre-professional focus) but it's still beautiful, academically rigorous, full of passionate students doing interesting stuff, and offers a lot of other opportunities because of the Philly proximity.

[Anonymous]

Next week? Have they moved up the response date? My child applied ED and we are anticipating a decision around Dec 11-13.