Visit Report by posterX (Member since August 22 2005 with 2153 posts) Visit Date - July 2006
Visit to Swarthmore College in July 2006 by posterX (Other, HS Class of 2011)
Visit Activities:
Information Session:
Yes - Student and admissions officer gave an overview of the school. They were bright, articulate, and able to answer the audience's questions very well. Campus Tour:
Yes - The campus tour was enjoyable, but mostly focused on the outside spaces of the college. It would have been nice to see more of the actual facilities.
Swarthmore College Campus:
Friendliness/Courtesy of Students: 3 - Good -
Students were friendly and helpful, if a little self-absorbed. Students kept going on about how Swarthmore students focus heavily on their work, how they are "intellectual" and how there's less grade inflation, but other than the presumptu
Appearance of Campus: 3 - Good -
The campus is well manicured, but it doesn't have the "sense of place" you see at some other campuses that have more well-defined quads, beautiful architecture, etc.
Building/Facilities Maintenance/Cleanliness: 5 - Excellent -
Facilities are top-notch. The library is one of the best of any small liberal arts college I have ever seen. Laboratories and other buildings were all impressive.
Security/Safety: 4 - Very Good -
Given that the campus is in a boring suburb and is a gated community, it is fairly secure. If you don't want to interact with any real community, this is the place for you. Just don't go wandering off campus under the train tracks alone.
Overall Campus Impression: 4 - Very Good -
Excellent facilities, bright students, overall a great choice for someone seeking a very small college atmosphere.
Off-Campus:
Area Immediately Around Campus: 2 - Fair -
There's nothing to do near the campus. One of the least interesting "college towns" (if you can call it that) I have ever seen, but I suppose that can be expected given that Swarthmore is so tiny.
City/Town/Community: 3 - Good -
Luckily, a long train ride from the campus can bring you to Philadelphia, which, while nothing like New York City or Chicago, has a few fairly interesting areas. There are also a few local shopping malls which are good for basic purchases.
Campus Visit Notes for Swarthmore College:
Visit Description:
This school has a beautiful campus and a very smart, energetic, if a little self-righteous, student body. The facilities are top-notch and it is definitely one of the best places in the country for undergraduate education.
The surrounding area leaves a bit to be desired, which can be a problem given that the school itself is so small - there are few options. But even given the lack of other options, students at Swarthmore will assure you that drinking is not too much of a problem (though given the experiences of people I know at many other colleges of this size, I have doubts - if you are really interested in this school, try to stay over on a weekend to compare it with a university, and see what happens socially).
Hotel/Lodging Recommendations or Comments:
The Philadelphia area is filled with cheap hotels.
Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:
South Street in downtown Philadelphia (a long trip, but worth it since Swarthmore is basically devoid of anything interesting).
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Students were friendly and helpful, if a little self-absorbed. Students kept going on about how Swarthmore students focus heavily on their work, how they are "intellectual" and how there's less grade inflation, but other than the presumptu
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Facilities are top-notch. The library is one of the best of any small liberal arts college I have ever seen. Laboratories and other buildings were all impressive.
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Given that the campus is in a boring suburb and is a gated community, it is fairly secure. If you don't want to interact with any real community, this is the place for you. Just don't go wandering off campus under the train tracks alone.
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There's nothing to do near the campus. One of the least interesting "college towns" (if you can call it that) I have ever seen, but I suppose that can be expected given that Swarthmore is so tiny.