Swarthmore College Top Questions

What should every freshman at Swarthmore College know before they start?

Marc

Visit, Visit, Visit. How else can you know whether you will be happy at a place unless you know what it feels like to be there. Think about this: you will live, sleep, eat, socialize, study, work, and do a whole host of other activities in this area for the next approximately 18, 816 hours. That's a lot of hours. You need to know what kinds of students go to the school, what they care about, what they want to do with their lives, what they after class, how they do in class. And when you do visit, try to do an overnight visit. When you get away from the parents, professors, and tourguides: then, you will see whether people really like the school or not. In order to make the most out of college, ask yourself this question every day: when I am 50, and I look in the mirror, what will I wish I had done with my life, what experiences will I want to have experienced. Then go out and do it. You're the only person who can. Not your parents, not your friends, not your professors. College is fun: enjoy it!

Not

Find a college that fits you. How the college "rates" academically doesn't mean nearly as much as everyone seems to think, as you can easily succeed with a degree from any half-way respectable school. However, the college experience will be lacking if you do not take to its social aspect. Few of us get to choose what the social life of our high schools are. Now you have the chance to make that choice for your college education. Don't waste it. Find the place that you fit academically, and that fits you socially.

Micaya

If you possibly can, visit schools and have interviews on campus. Also, speak to students.

Twan

Visit! If you can see yourself there, then that is the place for you. Know what you want experiences you would like to have in college. Know what the academic, social, and career options/goals you want. Most important besides visiting, be open to change. You may think you want to be a forensic chemist going in, but may find that political science speaks more to your mode of thinking.

Justin

Make sure you visit Swarthmore, take a tour and stay over night if you can to make sure the atmosphere is right for you. Political activism is very big at Swarthmore, as is reverse cultural trends such as promoting homosexuality and race by putting it RIGHT IN YOUR FACE. I'm neither homophobic nor racist, but after a while such militant accept-us-and-everything-we-say-or-else-you're-a-terrible-person becomes grating. The liberal stance works both ways for Swarthmore, as the drug and alcohol policies are virtually non-existant. I have drank and played beer pong on main walkways as tours have navigated around us. People have smoked pot openly on the steps of Parrish, the main administrative building. Swarthmore is not that small of a school--1400 enrolled, if I remember correctly--but after the first month or so of freshman year it will seem smaller because students self-segregate. Many Swatties don't do anything but study. Most of the crowd that goes to frats are athletes, which is good & bad, as you will probably get along with them as they are normal, but there is not exactly a ton of athletes.

Isabel

Applying to college can be one of the most nerve-wraking experiences of your life, and there are bound to be a lot of people telling you what to think. Always remember that you are the one making the decision. No one but you can tell what school is right for you, so always listen to yourself. It is often difficult to verbalize exactly what about a school feels right or wrong to you, but usually you know. Follow that feeling, and don't let anyone tell you that it's wrong becuase it's not quantifiable. That being said, always make educated decisions and do your research; know what is important to you and don't give up looking for that. Be idealistic in looking for a college, but pragmatic when you choose. Another important thing to remember is that people are flexible; chances are you'll be happy at a couple different schools, not just one. So if you don't end up at your "dream school," don't worry and keep an open mind. You'll probably love whatever school you're at. After all, the school chose you. Once you're there, love every moment.

Katie

It isn't about which college you like the best, but about which college fits the best.

Rachel

Visit the school and talk to students -- see if you remind them of a "typical" student, or one who would enjoy it. Sit in on a class -- tour a variety of schools and know which kind you prefer (liberal arts v. larger, north v. south, big on athletics and school spirit v. not so much). I think finding out that type thing is really important, because the differences between schools within these categories, though significant, is negligible compared to, say, the differences between schools in different categories. Read all the guides and student review books/ websites. Research, talk, evaluate, compare!

Jenelle

Start searching as early as possible (at the end of sophmore year in high school). Don't choose a school simply because of financial aid reasons. And if you aren't sure exactly what you want to go to school for then I would highly suggest taking a year off between high school and college to get to know YOU before you start the college path. Most importantly, travel abroad! As many places as you can go! And be active in college. Serving as the President of some random committee might seem like a waste of time now, but it will p ay of later when future employers see that you have leadership and management skills. Most of all, enjoy college and make the most out of it.

Corey

Talk to your guidance councelors.