<p>I don’t really perceive Wesleyan and Swarthmore as being all that similar overall:</p>
<p>History</p>
<p>Swat: founded 1864, coed from the beginning
Wes: founded 1831, all male until 1970s</p>
<p>Location</p>
<p>Swat: close-in suburb of Phila, 11 miles to downtown by train, stunningly beautiful campus
Wes: urban, Conn. mill town</p>
<p>Size</p>
<p>Swat: 1475 students
Wes: 2777 students</p>
<p>Diversity</p>
<p>Swat: 62% white/US
Wes: 70% white/US
The difference is almost entirely in the size of the Asian/American enrollment at Swarthmore.</p>
<p>Per Student Endowment</p>
<p>Swat: $732,000
Wes: $187,000</p>
<p>Overall, Swat is more academically focused that Wesleyan (not a knock on Wes, just a trademark of Swarthmore), somewhat more difficult to get into and probably somewhat more difficult academically (on average). Swat probably has a bit less drinking scene. Both are “liberal” politically, but in different ways with Wes having more outwardly visible “radical” trappings (dress, in your face “causes”, etc.)</p>
<p>Wes is probably more “artsy”, but also with more emphasis on varsity athletics (no football at Swarthmore).</p>