Swarthmore vs. Yale

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the input. She’s leaning Swarthmore. She did not like New Haven and the large intro classes. She felt like the Swarthmore students were more “like” her. I suspect she’ll choose there. I think she wants me to decide for her which I will NOT do. I tell her she must own her decision but there is no right or wrong one. She likes to work and she is not a big party person. We didn’t love the construction at Swarthmore but most of the campus is breathtaking.

Sounds like she is a great fit for Swat, but she will also find her people at Yale. Certainly plenty of hard-working kids who aren't party-oriented. I would say Swat is more intense though, just attracts that kind of kid. Does that feel right to her?

Agree Swat is intense but Yale is more competitive, if that makes sense. Is she the kind of kid who will be lost at a bigger school, and not show initiative in terms of finding internships, making connections with professors etc.? Or do you feel confident she'll find her way. If the latter, I'd lean Yale. If the former, Swat. SLACs really do offer a superior UG education, and your kid can take classes at Penn if wants to expand her options as she matures.

[Anonymous]

OP again. We may make one more trip up to Yale. It’s farther so we have been there less. I suspect this will be an April 29th call!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FWIW our guide on the Yale tour was a lovely young woman involved in the arts. She talked about how much the students support each other, go to each other’s events, etc. she also talked about professors inviting groups of kids to dinner and how the college system promoted a feeling of community within the larger school. New Haven isn’t great but the kids seemed to love the school. Made me want to go there! I wouldn’t pass that up for Swarthmore, but everyone is different.

I have colleagues who teach at Yale and I can tell you they have never once had UGs over for dinner. They are far too busy. Perhaps the arts is a different beast, but I find that hard to believe given how high-powered and competitive the arts are at Yale.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again. We may make one more trip up to Yale. It’s farther so we have been there less. I suspect this will be an April 29th call!

Definitely make another trip. It's a big decision! Make sure she really observes dynamics, in classes (she should be able to sit in) and socially. Can she envision herself being part of that community, and being happy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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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?

Recently at Swat. A lot of construction everywhere but not for dorms: almost no suite/apartment-style living all four years. Spoke to many students: without accommodations or being an RA, you won’t be assured a single room until senior year. Chances of a single as a junior are around 40-50% at best. Meanwhile, down the street, Haverford has mostly singles — for freshmen.

That's true at many schools, including Yale. And no one deciding between Yale and Swarthmore cares about Haverford.

No, at the very least, for the richest liberal arts schools in the country, it goes like this: freshman live in doubles, 1/2 sophomores live in singles, all juniors live in singles, seniors live in single rooms in cool suites/apartment style living. Swat is unusually bad.

And as for the whataboutism. You want to tell me that you don’t get a single room at Yale until senior year? Not. True.

That is simply not true. Amherst has exactly the same setup at Swarthmore (fewer than half of juniors get singles). Again, this kid doesn't care about having a single at Haverford lol.

Nice deflection of your lie about Yale. Comparison is between Yale and Swarthmore. Yale has better housing. Period.

One factor amongst many to consider in comparing Yale and Swat, but it is definitely worth considering.

Most kids don't decide on colleges based on what year they're able to get a single ffs.

Housing is one factor amongst many to consider in comparing Yale and Swat, but it is definitely worth considering ffs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the input. She’s leaning Swarthmore. She did not like New Haven and the large intro classes. She felt like the Swarthmore students were more “like” her. I suspect she’ll choose there. I think she wants me to decide for her which I will NOT do. I tell her she must own her decision but there is no right or wrong one. She likes to work and she is not a big party person. We didn’t love the construction at Swarthmore but most of the campus is breathtaking.

Sounds like she is a great fit for Swat, but she will also find her people at Yale. Certainly plenty of hard-working kids who aren't party-oriented. I would say Swat is more intense though, just attracts that kind of kid. Does that feel right to her?

Agree Swat is intense but Yale is more competitive, if that makes sense. Is she the kind of kid who will be lost at a bigger school, and not show initiative in terms of finding internships, making connections with professors etc.? Or do you feel confident she'll find her way. If the latter, I'd lean Yale. If the former, Swat. SLACs really do offer a superior UG education, and your kid can take classes at Penn if wants to expand her options as she matures.

I do not feel confident she’ll find her way. She’s an anxious, socially immature kid with a gifted IQ and a high level of distractability. Personally, I think she would do better at Swarthmore. But to turn down her reachiest of reaches? Ugh, I almost wish she hadn’t been accepted! Lol.

[Anonymous]

Yale obvs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the input. She’s leaning Swarthmore. She did not like New Haven and the large intro classes. She felt like the Swarthmore students were more “like” her. I suspect she’ll choose there. I think she wants me to decide for her which I will NOT do. I tell her she must own her decision but there is no right or wrong one. She likes to work and she is not a big party person. We didn’t love the construction at Swarthmore but most of the campus is breathtaking.

Sounds like she is a great fit for Swat, but she will also find her people at Yale. Certainly plenty of hard-working kids who aren't party-oriented. I would say Swat is more intense though, just attracts that kind of kid. Does that feel right to her?

Agree Swat is intense but Yale is more competitive, if that makes sense. Is she the kind of kid who will be lost at a bigger school, and not show initiative in terms of finding internships, making connections with professors etc.? Or do you feel confident she'll find her way. If the latter, I'd lean Yale. If the former, Swat. SLACs really do offer a superior UG education, and your kid can take classes at Penn if wants to expand her options as she matures.

I do not feel confident she’ll find her way. She’s an anxious, socially immature kid with a gifted IQ and a high level of distractability. Personally, I think she would do better at Swarthmore. But to turn down her reachiest of reaches? Ugh, I almost wish she hadn’t been accepted! Lol.

Yeah, that's a tough one. Fwiw I was a lot like your kid and had to choose between HYP and Pomona back in the day. Pomona felt so right to me, but I chose HYP based purely on name recognition. It did take me a while to find my way, but it worked out well enough. Did I thrive? No. Did HYP help my career goals? Yes. Would I have been happier at Pomona? Yes. There is no perfect answer.

[Anonymous]

I posted earlier. These people who were talking about finding your way at a large university, I’m not sure they actually have much experience with Yale. I went to a wasp while dating someone who went to Yale. there was tons of community at Yale. I actually felt like it was easier to make friends at Yale because of the residential college system. The communal dining is really nice. I really don’t think you should worry about your child socially at Yale. I don’t think Swarthmore will be more beneficial than Yale, socially.

Personally, I think you should encourage her to go to Yale since she is uncertain, and looking for your advice. I do think the small liberal college model in some ways provides a better education, but there are plenty of small classes at Yale as well. She must’ve worked very hard to get into Yale. Don’t underestimate the doors opened by having that on your résumé and the lifelong benefit and people love Yale. Everyone I know who went there is positive about it.

She is uncertain and asking for your advice. I think you should tell her towards you. If she was saying saying, I don’t want to go there I want to go to Swarthmore then don’t pressure her. But she’s asking for your advice. And I think you should tell her to go to Yale.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I posted earlier. These people who were talking about finding your way at a large university, I’m not sure they actually have much experience with Yale. I went to a wasp while dating someone who went to Yale. there was tons of community at Yale. I actually felt like it was easier to make friends at Yale because of the residential college system. The communal dining is really nice. I really don’t think you should worry about your child socially at Yale. I don’t think Swarthmore will be more beneficial than Yale, socially.

Personally, I think you should encourage her to go to Yale since she is uncertain, and looking for your advice. I do think the small liberal college model in some ways provides a better education, but there are plenty of small classes at Yale as well. She must’ve worked very hard to get into Yale. Don’t underestimate the doors opened by having that on your résumé and the lifelong benefit and people love Yale. Everyone I know who went there is positive about it.

She is uncertain and asking for your advice. I think you should tell her towards you. If she was saying saying, I don’t want to go there I want to go to Swarthmore then don’t pressure her. But she’s asking for your advice. And I think you should tell her to go to Yale.

Thank you for your perspective. I appreciate it.

[Anonymous]

The smarter your daughter is, the more comfortable she can be in choosing Swarthmore, should that be her preference.

[Anonymous]

DC is at Swat. Absolutely loves the math professors at Swat and says it is their favorite subject. Participates in music for fun though not as a major. Swat is personal and nurturing and the cohort bright and collaborative. Dorms are great, the food terrific. DC has no hankering for a single as it is a lot more fun with a roommate and from Yr.2 you typically apply with a friend. DC has grown a lot at Swat , more thoughtful, less reactive, better listening, socially confident.

If your focus for college is personal development for life and/or preparation for grad school you won't go wrong at Swat. Alumni I spoke to cherish their time at Swat and consider themselves very fortunate to have gone there. If your focus is pre-professional/job market, Yale has broader name recognition that also opens more employer doors with less effort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC is at Swat. Absolutely loves the math professors at Swat and says it is their favorite subject. Participates in music for fun though not as a major. Swat is personal and nurturing and the cohort bright and collaborative. Dorms are great, the food terrific. DC has no hankering for a single as it is a lot more fun with a roommate and from Yr.2 you typically apply with a friend. DC has grown a lot at Swat , more thoughtful, less reactive, better listening, socially confident.

If your focus for college is personal development for life and/or preparation for grad school you won't go wrong at Swat. Alumni I spoke to cherish their time at Swat and consider themselves very fortunate to have gone there. If your focus is pre-professional/job market, Yale has broader name recognition that also opens more employer doors with less effort.

Agree with this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the input. She’s leaning Swarthmore. She did not like New Haven and the large intro classes. She felt like the Swarthmore students were more “like” her. I suspect she’ll choose there. I think she wants me to decide for her which I will NOT do. I tell her she must own her decision but there is no right or wrong one. She likes to work and she is not a big party person. We didn’t love the construction at Swarthmore but most of the campus is breathtaking.

Sounds like she is a great fit for Swat, but she will also find her people at Yale. Certainly plenty of hard-working kids who aren't party-oriented. I would say Swat is more intense though, just attracts that kind of kid. Does that feel right to her?

Agree Swat is intense but Yale is more competitive, if that makes sense. Is she the kind of kid who will be lost at a bigger school, and not show initiative in terms of finding internships, making connections with professors etc.? Or do you feel confident she'll find her way. If the latter, I'd lean Yale. If the former, Swat. SLACs really do offer a superior UG education, and your kid can take classes at Penn if wants to expand her options as she matures.

I do not feel confident she’ll find her way. She’s an anxious, socially immature kid with a gifted IQ and a high level of distractability. Personally, I think she would do better at Swarthmore. But to turn down her reachiest of reaches? Ugh, I almost wish she hadn’t been accepted! Lol.

Swat.

[Anonymous]

Why not go to Swat UG and aim for Yale for grad school? That's the ideal.