Swarthmore College Top Questions

Pretty accurate.

I don't think so...there are some really brilliant people on my athletic teams.

I would say that coming to Swarthmore has certainly made me view things a lot differently than I originally had. Many of the stereotypes are indeed true. There's a very queer-friendly environment here which may encourage people to formally come out of the closet. People's invariably liberal views definitely make newcomers very likely to adopt the same views. The plethora of different subjects and classes to choose from often leads new students who attend and find new interests in them to a state of utter confusion with regard to what they really want to do with their lives. Though I don't particularly know why most students here generally share all of these characteristics, I have found that these stereotypes do hold some truth.

Yes, it's a school of really smart kids. But most people do like to go out, don't care about getting straight A's and have a sense of humor. And there are only a few people who wear capes.

Yes.

I believe both are fairly accurate. Ever since I've joined the student body, I've always felt welcomed here at Swarthmore; however, no matter how you are different from the rest of the student body, you will always be accepted. As an engineer, I see that the only way to succeed in the engineering program here at Swarthmore is to be continually working and thinking about what you are going over in class constantly, but I find the material to be interesting and engaging so it doesn't bother me that much.

extremely innacurrate

It is not true that students are necessarily hard working as there are people who use every opportunity to slack off.

There's a grain of truth in probably all the stereotypes. But for the most part, Swat isn't as good or bad (or ugly, seriously, come on) as some of the stereotypes say.

We are an extremely liberal campus, but there are very few people here that I would classify as a "hippie." Also, I don't think that people are especially unattractive, but people are kind of quirky and I wouldn't say that there are a lot of especially attractive people here. As for the social life, I have amazing friends and go out almost every weekend. Like any small school, the social life is what you make it.

There are definitely students who live up to the stereotype, but as many if not more who don't.

all to an extent. people can't always see things in a negative light

absolutely

I think to a certain degree, yes but i think it varies from student to student.

evidently

Yes and no. We are all very intelligent, passionate kids, trying to make a positive impact on the world. A lot of times, the first half of friday night does include work, but we know how have a good time. Swarthmore is a part of a tri-college consortium with Bryn Mawr and Haverford colleges....they come to swarthmore to party. enough said.

DK

Somewhat. Everyone cares about their grades and does spend lots of time in and out of the library. We do know how to balance work time with social time - which makes it ok. It is also very true that Swatties are also socially awkward.

Yes, I'd say that all of those are correct; the "nerd" thing is more just an enthusiasm for learning, though. It's not a bad thing, so long as one's in the right company, and since it's Swarthmore, it's definitely the right company.

Yes D=