Visit Report by mccubed (Member since March 28 2006 with 0 posts) Visit Date - June 2005
Visit to Swarthmore College in June 2005 by mccubed (Parent of Student, HS Class of 2005)
Visit Activities:
Information Session:
Yes - Unlike other colleges that simply have an administration dean give a speech about the school, Swarthmore had two students using a “question” and “answer” dialog to introduce their school. Campus Tour:
Yes - The tour included the Science center, classrooms, student dorms, the "beach” and amphitheatre.
Swarthmore College Campus:
Friendliness/Courtesy of Students: 5 - Excellent -
It was a hot day when we visited. The student guides brought water bottles for all the visitors. That bottle of water probably was the best water I’ve had!
Friendliness/Courtesy of Staff: 5 - Excellent -
When we walked around the campus, everyone smiled and said hello.
Appearance of Campus: 5 - Excellent Building/Facilities Maintenance/Cleanliness: 5 - Excellent -
We visited the Science building, a seminar classroom, cafeteria, observatory, and a dorm room. All of them were clean and well maintained. I especially liked the Science center hall way -- it was bright and cheerful.
Dormitories: 4 - Very Good -
The dormitory we saw had 4 bed units. It was quite adequate. There was no “theme” dorm or “freshman” dorm. My daughter likes the fact that she gets a chance to meet people from different backgrounds-e.g. not all the athletes stay by themselves
Security/Safety: 5 - Excellent Overall Campus Impression: 5 - Excellent -
Swarthmore’s campus,without a doubt,is one of the most beautiful campuses (if not the most beautiful) we visited. The peaceful and relaxing atmosphere it exuded was at odds with what we had expected given Swarthmore’s reputation of intellectual intensity
Off-Campus:
Area Immediately Around Campus: 4 - Very Good City/Town/Community: 5 - Excellent
Campus Visit Notes for Swarthmore College:
Visit Description:
My daughter had only been interested in “big” schools before we visited Swarthmore. She liked the campus, the philosophy of the school (open and fair), the small interactive classes and its friendly and peaceful atmosphere.
The session we attended in Swarthmore was quite different than other college info sessions. It was a hot summer day; they held the session in the new Science center “theatre” – the biggest classroom in the college with a “stage”.
Unlike other colleges that simply have an administration dean give a speech about the school, Swarthmore had two students using a “question” and “answer” dialog to introduce their school. Not only was I impressed by their information, I was even more impressed with the presentation. Their enthusiasm, attitude and stage presence made me feel that Swarthmore must have done a lot right.
The tour included the Science center, classrooms, student dorms, the beach” and amphitheatre. Our tour guide walked backward (including upstairs and downstairs) so that he could face the visitors as he talked. Several times, I was nervous that he might trip on a tree or a pole. However, he seemed to have eyes in his back and he avoided all problems with ease.
Everyone was friendly. Once when my husband was wandering around, an older gentleman enthusiastically showed him many things including Swarthmore’s observatory. As a Physics major, he got a big kick out of that.
The most impressing part of our visit was Swarthmore’s students. Not only did they present their information clearly, but also as enthusiastic, wholesome individuals.
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It was a hot day when we visited. The student guides brought water bottles for all the visitors. That bottle of water probably was the best water I’ve had!
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The dormitory we saw had 4 bed units. It was quite adequate. There was no “theme” dorm or “freshman” dorm. My daughter likes the fact that she gets a chance to meet people from different backgrounds-e.g. not all the athletes stay by themselves