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<p>As much as I love Swarthmore, I can’t honestly say there is any advantage one way or another in size, diversity, or academics compared to Amherst. I view them both as equally incredible.</p>
<p>There IS one major difference in the two schools and that is the campus culture/social scene. Not to beat around the bush, Amherst is one of the hardest drinking schools in the northeast; Swarthmore is one of the lightest drinking schools. If the issue is important enough to pick into a sub-free dorm, I question the logic of choosing a school with a very heavy drinking culture. Why should you have to go out of your way to avoid a dominant social culture that you aren’t comfortable with?</p>
<p>My advice to all kids: look at the big picture.</p>