Obviously, it depends on your friend group…but I’m going to suggest that going to Philly happens less than you probably think. I’d say a few times per semester. I think that’s a good thing…for good reasons. I also had a student at Haverford, and I would guess it’s the same at both.
We live in the area, and they both had friends at Penn who they visited occasionally. One, in particular, went to parties at Penn. It’s easy to get into town.
The reality is that they had a lot going on “on campus”. Both of these schools have very limited restrictions on drinking. Unlike other schools where the Public Safety officers crack down on drinking, at the Tri-Co schools the focus is on responsible partying and staying safe. If you have someone overdo it, you don’t call 911…you call public safety. That level of openness and support makes it very easy to gather with friends and relax/hang out on campus. When you turn 21, you’re ready to get off campus a bit more and visit bars in Philly.
Obviously…concerts are also a big draw. Most of the time they aren’t too close to the train, so a group will Uber in and out. $10/each or so with 3 or 4. Super easy.
Our Swattie did take a class on Philly architecture (it was a Bryn Mawr class), and loved going into Philly weekly to see buildings, and do research.
If you go to Swat, you’ll be in Philly enough to know it’s there… but not enough for it to feel like you know all of the city when you graduate.
Both of our grads now live in Philly, as do a shocking number of their friends from college. Kids from California, Texas, and even Europe have all migrated into the city and are working or going to grad school in Philly.