Did I make a mistake...?

College Search & Lists
1

Hello!

I have recently started feeling like I made a mistake when I committed to a college. I’m even more upset right now because I made that mistake without informing myself…

So I got into Amherst, Williams, Reed, Davidson and Swarthmore. It was really just between Amherst, Williams and Swarthmore. I took out Amherst after realizing it’d be about 5k more expensive per year, which I could not afford.

I realize I was very fortunate to be able to pick between Swarthmore and Williams, but I don’t think I made an informed choice, which is why I’m looking for people to help me out.

I chose Swarthmore, without even visiting Williams. For some reason, I liked Swarthmore more than I liked Williams when I was applying (probably the location), but location doesn’t matter to me as much anymore. I liked the idea of going to Williams, but I never knew much about it and I never even considered it.

However, for the last month, I’ve been reading about (on this website) and talking to people who got into Williams and are going and they just sound so excited - much more excited than I am about going to Swarthmore. After reading more about it, it also sounds like an amazing school to me… I know Williams is more prestigious, and that doesn’t really matter to me, but could someone help me out and reassure me that I did not make a bad decision.

I (now) view (after talking to some people) Swarthmore as the place that fun goes to die, and I view Williams as an academically challenging, but also fun place - sort of similar to a boarding school (or hogwarts haha).

I regret not even going to the admitted student days at Williams before making my decision bc what if I had liked it more! I know this was a stupid choice (and I had many influences, including my parents). I also know Swarthmore is just as good…

But… could people reassure me that I didn’t make a bad mistake? Is Swarthmore a better school than Williams? Or could people just tell me more about williams (mainly the cons) that would stop me from feeling this bad…

2

It’s easy to have buyer’s remorse. Both schools are outstanding. Tens of thousands of students, maybe more, would trade their college spots with you in a second. I graduated from a national university with a reputation as a place where fun goes to die. My friends were/are talented and hilarious, and I had a blast. I promise you there are fun people at Swarthmore. You could have done well at Williams too. It’s a great school. But you are attending one great school, not the other. HOW you go to Swarthmore will determine how it goes. Be positive. Embrace Swarthmore. Embrace opportunities. Learn from/with the amazing people around you–faculty, staff, and students. Work Hard. Have fun. It’ll be great. Good luck!

3

Agree with the above. I don’t know that I’d say Williams is more prestigious - maybe that depends on where you live. I"m in NJ and Swarthmore has a great reputation - basically Ivy quality. In fact, our valedictorian was flat out rejected from Swarthmore and is going to U Penn. You’re going to a great school, stop second guessing yourself!

4

Buyer’s remorse. I would choose Swat any day over the others. And saying Williams is more prestgious is like saying Harvard is more prestigious than Yale. No one cares. You chose Swat for a reason. Forget Williams, which, IMO, Is stuffy and overrated. You are missing out on your opportunity to get excited about an amazing school with admittedly lousy dorms. Have a great time and don’t look back.

BTW, U Chicago is the place fun goes to die. I think Swat sounds fabulous.

5

You did make a mistake in looking back on a school that you have declined the admission offer. Why would you even waste your time on that.

6

Do you know if you could change if you wanted to?

Because if you can’t change, why worry over it?

And if you can, go for it!

The locations are different enough that that could be a factor.

(someone posted about wanting to go to Yale, then changed their mind for Stanford, and it all worked out and they were very happy at Stanford)

Frankly, either do something about it NOW - like contact Williams and see if they would still let you in, and then you can call Swarthmore and lose your deposit, OR, you’ll be fine at Swarthmore.

We can’t tell you you made the wrong or right choice, but either it is too late to change or not.

If you were my kid, I would want you to look into the courses in your major, the percent of graduates employed in their field, and the housing and campus life issues. PA and MA are far enough away from each other that the amount of snow might concern you.

7

@TTG @NJWrestlingmom @Lindagaf Thank you for your kind words! I didn’t know that many people preferred Swat over Williams…

8

@rhandco Well, I want to go to med school so I wasn’t sure which school was better… and I’m still not sure. I just think that the location could lead to more opportunities.

9

Both schools are excellent and equal in prestige. They do have very different vibes. Yes, Swat has a reputation for intensity. It’s probably less balanced then Williams. BUT, you chose it because you found lots of things to like about it, so that’s what important. It doesn’t matter what others think. Some kids are turned off by Swat, others are by Williams. But if you visited Swat and liked it, you will be fine.

10

My DS had your same exact choices. He choose Swarthmore and loved his time there!

11

Stop going to the Williams forum. Stir things up in the Swat forum.

12

I’ve been to Williams and I didn’t like the campus layout. I haven’t seen Swarthmore, but hear it’s absolutely beautiful. I promise you that you can find fun people at any school. Even serious places. Swarthmore is one of the most prestigious LACs in the country, so no worries there about reputation. Enjoy!!

13

It’s true that location isn’t everything. But as someone who has lived and worked near Williams, I can tell you that it is in a lovely small town and is several hours away from anywhere you’re likely to go other than other lovely small towns. Swarthmore is close to Haverford, Bryn Mawr, and Philadelphia, and it’s more accessible to New York than Williams is to either Boston or New York.

There obviously will be fun to be had at Swarthmore, but you’ll also have other options around there you would not have had at Williams.

14

You should ordering college shirts, figuring out roommates and room décor! The excitement at Swarthmore is about to begin!

15

Both are lovely campuses. You visited and you liked Swarthmore so look forward – not back.

Focus on the positive. If you are looking for opportunities to visit an urban area (maybe for testing the waters re your future in health care?) Swarthmore has a very convenient transportation system.

16

@fellyz1, Wrt med school.
https://www.■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/infographics/top-feeders-medical-school

17

You made a choice between two wonderful LACs and not it is time for you to look ahead, not behind.