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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Swarthmore alum here. Amazing, amazing school, with nothing quite like it in terms of intellectual intensity. It has a reputation for being an academic powerhouse. Many Swatties end up at the U. of Chicago for grad school, and find it "easy" in comparison. Also, at reunions, I found that every other classmate ended up being a professor. Almost everyone I met while a student there was exceedingly smart, if not brilliant, committed to social justice, and just interesting to engage in conversation.

It is very liberal, politically speaking, so if you're conservative, it can be hard finding like-minded souls there. It's also, as you know, a small liberal arts college, so for those who want a large university setting, it is not the school for you. However, for those who thrive in intimate settings, love academic rigor, and want to be in a gorgeous suburban setting, it cannot be beat. Also, the resources at Swat are phenomenal. I believe that the per-capita $$$ are among the highest in the country. Excellent financial aid for those who qualify. No football team, which I like, but many might find odd; lots of students do play team sports, however.

Contrary to the PP, I visited Philly and NYC all the time. There is a SEPTA train stop literally at the foot of the campus with a commuter train that goes straight downtown, so I'm not sure why anyone would consider it a hassle to get to downtown.  [/quote]

You do know that you are reinforcing every stereotype of Swarthmore with this post, right?

If some schools have a reputation for really bright people who don't flaunt their intelligence, Swarthmore's reputation is exactly the opposite - people who may or may not be really brilliant, but who definitely work overtime to make sure you know how smart they think they are.   It's nice that people don't feel obligated to hide their intelligence, but the back-patting comes dangerously close to revolting.  [/quote]

Do you actually have first-hand experience? I'm the PP who used to occasionally take classes at Swat. This is a ridiculous statement. If anything, I'd say that Swatties are (and I say this with love) kind of dorky and are just really into whatever they're into. Nerdy, yes: snobby, no. They remind me of people I know from MIT.

It actually reminds me a lot more of Bryn Mawr than Haverford does. (Haverford is also a great school, but the intense-dorky atmosphere of Swarthmore is much more Bryn Mawrish).

OP, as you can tell, some people love Swarthmore and (obviously) some people hate it. I suspect that if you and your kid step foot on campus, you'll quickly figure out which side of that divide you're on. Definitely worth a visit. Good luck![/quote]

I don't hate it.  I just find posts like the PP's absurd on their face.  Swarthmore's reputation is very much that of a group of pampered and extremely self-impressed students stuck in a 1968 time warp, eagerly waiting for the next SDS meeting to convene.  [/quote]

You have no first-hand experience with Swarthmore. You are also completely out of touch with Swarthmore's reputation. I really see no reason for your vitriol. Statistically, it is extremely competitive to get into; the students are bright by any measure. It's a self-selecting bunch of students who unabashedly love academia. Most Swatties today probably don't even know what SDS means (you only age yourself with that reference).  The thing that I love the most about Swat (speaking as an alum) is how its Quaker values are found in so many aspects of the school, even though its official ties to Quakerism are no longer there. All the events on campus were free, so as to prevent economic discrimination against students who didn't have money to go to these events; sports trips were sponsored by the school; campus housing was allotted by lottery, not by how much money your parents could spend. Maybe you find this too "liberal" for your taste, that's fine, but I really so no reason for you to be so mean-spirited.

OP, Swarthmore is worth a visit. It is beautiful and for some students, it really is a special place to go to college. Good luck![/quote]

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