Reply to what "good" college did you attend but would not necessarily recommend to your kids or others?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Swarthmore -- too small and too intense for most kids

I got a great education but I think I would have had a more balanced experience at a larger school. Most of my classmates loved it, though, so for the right person, it can be a great place.[/quote]

+1 I loved my time there, but you really do have to be a particular person to thrive at Swarthmore. [b]Most students at other top SLACs and universities would dislike it. 
[/quote][/b]

Can you elaborate on this?  Aren't other top SLACs very competitive and focused as well?[/quote]

Sorry for the late reply.

Swarthmore has a rigorous, almost singularly oriented academic experience. The workload is relentless, the grading is challenging, and most students make great sacrifices to their social and personal lives in order to succeed academically. There is a term commonly used at Swarthmore called "misery poker" in which there is this vocal culture to outrank other students regarding how difficult they have it. The food and student life at Swarthmore is not great; the town has little to offer to students, and few venture out to Philly more than once a semester due to the workload. Although students are generally well-intentioned and cooperative, they also can be reserved, distant, and difficult to connect with due to their eccentricity.

The students I know who have attended similarly ranked LACs (including my daughter) and top universities seem to heavily value a well-rounded experience. Academics are important, but so is a good social life, opportunities for extracurricular and professional engagement, and access to a diverse scene of activities nearby. [/quote]

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