Swarthmore, Brown, Pomona, or Amherst?

interesteddad
Sun, 19 Oct 2008 22:03:06 +0000

What are the pros/cons of Swarthmore’s housing of freshmen with upper-classmen?



IMO, this is the single most important policy at Swarthmore (just barely beating out pass-fail first semester.

It is so valuable for new college students, trying desperately to figure it all out, to live side by side with veteran college students. They get so much information on classes, on how to prepare, on professors, on majors, on seeing senior honors preparations first hand, on job hunting, on grad school apps, on socializing, and on just generally how to conduct yourself as a college student. It’s a glimpse and some perspective into the future, all passed along goofing around in the hall, shaving in the bathroom, or whatever. In turn, it’s rewarding for older Swarthmore students to take “their freshmen” under their wing. There’s a passing along of community and culture that is impossible when freshmen are isolated from the rest of campus.

I also think not having freshmen ghetto dorms is a huge reason that Swarthmore’s drinking scene is not out of control. Upperclass students set a tone of have fun but don’t behave like an idiot that is a moderating influence at an important time.