Visit Report by bingle (Member since January 04 2008 with 85 posts) Visit Date - April 2008
Visit to Swarthmore College in April 2008 by bingle (Student, HS Class of 2008)
Visit Activities:
Information Session:
Yes - Run by admissions rep and student-good overview of academics, activities, and admissions. Key elements- global engagement; world citizen. Civic engagement and social action integral to Swat culture Campus Tour:
Yes - Senior gave tour - clearly loves Swarthmore and able to answer all questions. Classroom Visit:
Yes - My daughter sat in on the 2nd semester intro Bio class. Friend said it was her worst class- big with an ok lecturer. My daughter still thought it was fine, tho it was stuff she's learned in AP
Swarthmore College Campus:
Friendliness/Courtesy of Students: 4 - Very Good Friendliness/Courtesy of Staff: 4 - Very Good Appearance of Campus: 4 - Very Good -
Beautiful time of year to visit - lots in bloom. Main grass quad a bit big and empty. Bldgs seemed a bit squashed together
Building/Facilities Maintenance/Cleanliness: 5 - Excellent Dormitories: 3 - Good -
minimal cooking facilities; No wellness housing (our guide said all are sub free; seems unlikely)
Lounge in dorm was pretty pathetic - just a few chairs stuck together
Security/Safety: 4 - Very Good Overall Campus Impression: 4 - Very Good
Off-Campus:
Area Immediately Around Campus: 3 - Good -
nice residential area
City/Town/Community: 2 - Fair -
Almost nothing in Swarthmore - few not great restaurants.
Campus Visit Notes for Swarthmore College:
Visit Description:
Lots of faculty support and student study groups. Our friend struggled with Calc and prof met w her 1 on 1 weekly to help.
~45% go on off-campus study not Swat faculty run
Dining choices limited not much after 10pm, nothing after midnite. Limited dorm cooking facilities, so not lots of food options after late night studying
Dining hall food okay good cookies on Monday; lots of variety
High student involvement in campus decisions very egalitarian, but decisions take awhile
First semester is pass/fail supports transition to self mgt of time and workload, gives opportunity to try something new, or get something reqd that you're not great at over with.
Community svc seems to be bulk of social life.
~40% involved in sports at some level (~25% varsity).
Almost everyone resides on campus
Weekend vans to Philly; shuttle between Swat, Haverford and Bryn Mawr but don't seem to be used alot.
Transcript should show increased rigor and availing yrself of opportunities
Recommendations indicate that youre collaborative, engaged, put yourself out there
Xtra curricular either engaged in lots or focused on one explain yourself (caring for a family member or long commute may be your xtra and thats ok)
Daughters perceptions: social life too structured (when asked about social life, students listed committees rather than baking brownies/playing cards/Frisbee)
Students friendly; looked like a normal variety of folks.
Good mascot Phoenix (cuz original bldgs burned and college was rebuilt on them)
Hotel/Lodging Recommendations or Comments:
Howard Johnson Springfield
650 Baltimore Pike, Springfield, PA was nice and quiet. About 15 min wait for taxis to and from campus $7 ride.
Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:
Renato's pizza in town was ok
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minimal cooking facilities; No wellness housing (our guide said all are sub free; seems unlikely)
Lounge in dorm was pretty pathetic - just a few chairs stuck together
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Almost nothing in Swarthmore - few not great restaurants.