Visit Report by Ruella76 (Member since September 28 2005 with 256 posts) Visit Date - July 2006
Visit to Swarthmore College in July 2006 by Ruella76 (Student, HS Class of 2005)
Visit Activities:
Information Session:
Yes - I found the information session very helpful, and the speakers (an admissions officer and an alum who had just graduated a couple months earlier) especially engaging. Campus Tour:
Yes - Also very good. Student was very helpful and could answer everyone's questions explicitly. I had the feeling that we didn't see a lot of the campus, particularly the athetic facilities.
Swarthmore College Campus:
Friendliness/Courtesy of Students: 5 - Excellent -
I didn't visit while school was in session, so my opinion shouldn't carry much weight. But the tour guides were very friendly.
Friendliness/Courtesy of Staff: 5 - Excellent -
Again, I didn't get the opportunity to talk to any staff, except for one of the admissions officers.
Appearance of Campus: 5 - Excellent -
Anything you've heard about Swarthmore's campus is probably correct - it is absolutely beautiful.
Building/Facilities Maintenance/Cleanliness: 5 - Excellent -
We went through a few of the classrooms, the library, the theater, and the original college building (Parrish Hall) and the facilities are very nice and well-maintained.
Dormitories: 3 - Good -
Size is probably about average for a private LAC. There is no air conditioning and the rooms are very stuffy in August, but presumably it is better during the school year.
Overall Campus Impression: 5 - Excellent -
The school seems to do a good job of spending its money appropriately. The campus is beautiful and the facilities are very nice.
Off-Campus:
Area Immediately Around Campus: 2 - Fair -
Immediately surrounding the campus is a bunch of strip malls. It's convenient if you want to get a bite to eat quickly, but otherwise not the best environment.
City/Town/Community: 4 - Very Good -
If you have time to venture farther, Philadelphia is a 20-minute train ride from the school. Accesible enough to go there every now and then, but I imagine that it becomes difficult when you have a l
Campus Visit Notes for Swarthmore College:
Visit Description:
I was very impressed with the school overall, and will definitely consider applying there.
Hotel/Lodging Recommendations or Comments:
I stayed at the Howard Johnson motel, about a 5 minute drive from the school. Good enough for a couple of nights.
Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:
Try to go to someplace nice in Philadelphia if you have time. It will make your visit much more enjoyable. Otherwise, there are some cheap restaurants and fast food places right near the school.
Other Comments (Transportation, local attractions, parking, etc.):
Parking was not a problem during August, but I can imagine that it's worse during the school year.
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I didn't visit while school was in session, so my opinion shouldn't carry much weight. But the tour guides were very friendly.
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Size is probably about average for a private LAC. There is no air conditioning and the rooms are very stuffy in August, but presumably it is better during the school year.
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Immediately surrounding the campus is a bunch of strip malls. It's convenient if you want to get a bite to eat quickly, but otherwise not the best environment.
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If you have time to venture farther, Philadelphia is a 20-minute train ride from the school. Accesible enough to go there every now and then, but I imagine that it becomes difficult when you have a l