<p>Hi, his first choice was Columbia. He applied there ED and did not get in ED and did not get in RD either. He applied to Swarthmore RD and only because I asked him and said he had nothing to lose but the $60 application fee. I was impressed with all the info they were sending us by mail. He was, too, but his GC had sort-of discouraged him by saying it was a huge reach. He warmed up to Swarthmore after he got in and after we visited. His initial reaction was, it was a small school and he would find it too claustrophobic.</p>
<p>He is glad he chose the school. He works hard but he came from a rigorous high school as well. Swat is a bit more rigorous than high school but not much more according to him. I hope people don’t think I am being blasphemous. He can manage his work and other activities so far. On the other hand, he is not a science/engineering/premed student. He enjoys his courses, especially this semester his Poli Sci course. He loves the small class size and personal attention. He even managed to get a recommendation from one of his professors for summer work.</p>
<p>As far as claustrophobia, well, it is a small school. But he can get away to Philly when he wants and he does that quite often for a few hours. The only thing he does not like is the food at Sharples. He eats at another small cafe in the school but he says the food is nothing to write home about.</p>