My favorite aspect of Swarthmore is the intimacy: of the classes, student relations, and the administration. While our politically and socially active students are often known to make their voices heard loud and clear to the administration, the transparency of each dean’s function and open communication lines make it possible for their voices to actually be heard. The attentive attitude on campus also ensures that there are student activities for every kind of student, as...

By junior year, a lot of Swatties chafe at the limited size of the school, but I don’t really mind. Yes, it’s annoying trying to hide from people I wished I hadn’t hooked up with, but even that adds tension to the day. I like recognizing most people around campus, or at least their names; I like how familiar and close the community is. The “college town” is a big weakness. Everyone rolls their eyes at the Ville. It’s tiny and unaccommodating and DRY, so there are no off-campus bars. I love...

Best Thing: the liberal administration. you don't get in serious trouble for most things here. you just have to sit and have some talks with the dean, where he holds your hand and helps you through your rough time. you have so much more freedom here than at any other school I've heard of. One thing to change: the food situation is dismal. get used to ordering a lot of late night pizza and chinese take out. When I tell people I go to Swarthmore, they either have no idea what it is and try...

The best thing about Swarthmore is the "Quaker atmosphere" - the people here are very open and caring. It would hard to find a place filled with as many genuinely good people anywhere. If I had to changes something I would build a new athletic facility and give people more team spirit and pride for their athletics. Many people are afraid to come to Swat because it is so small, but it really isn't that bad. I love being able to walk around and run into people I know, but at the same...

The most common complaint: 'I hate the food at the dining hall' However, relatively speaking, most colleges do not have very high quality dining. Swarthmore is a tiny little suburban town in which the main urban attractions are Target and Dunkin Donuts. Although, there is a delicious little Chinese-American restaurant within walking distance of the school. When I tell people I go to Swarthmore, the most common reaction is "Swarthmore?... Where exactly is that?"

I love Swarthmore and it has provided me with just about everything I have needed in four years. I love the culture, the intensity, the professors, the friends, everything. That said, four years is just the right amount of time and I'll be ready to move on this June.

the best thing is definitely the rigorous academics and the professors who actually care about teaching. hmm, the thing i'd change isn't really something that is possible to change - my biggest issue with swat was A) everyone separates by race and other cliques and B) there are a lot of really annoying insufferable people. oh well. i kind of liked that it was small, although it made it hard to avoid ex boyfriends. most people don't react at all when i tell them where i went to school,...

There is a lot of money in the student activities account, which is run by students and flows towards student groups to host activities and parties on campus, so there is always a lot going on that is open to everybody. I think the relatively small size of Swarthmore is great, in that it keeps everybody wanting to be a good, honorable person (you can't hide behind anonymity here), and yet it is large enough that there is always somebody new and interesting to meet. Since it is a small college,...

Swarthmore is an amazing place to be, but it isn't for everyone. It's great because everyone is smart. I've been in class and assumed that guys in my class won't have anything to say because they look like bros that aren't serious about academics. Then they open their mouths and have a lot to say about capitalism or can quote the Canterbury Tales or something. There are all types of people, and everyone is good at something. On the other hand, not everyone likes how people are very uptight...

My most important advice about Swarthmore: don't come here if you're unhappy. Swarthmore doesn't make people unhappy, but it does have a tendency to make things worse unless you're a pretty happy person in general.