<p>As of right now, I have to choose between Swarthmore, Dartmouth, Amherst, or Grinnell for 1/2 price. I am leaning towards Swarthmore at this moment.</p>
<p>However, I really like Amherst, so please try to convince me to go there over the other schools.</p>
<p>I just see a slightly more intellectual, less partying focused atmosphere at Swarthmore.</p>
<p>Any final thoughts on how the two compare?</p>
<p>Well, what are your thoughts? Feel free to think it out here. It may convince you too.</p>
<p>I chose Amherst b/c I like things in alphabetical order.</p>
<p>Go to Swarthmore. As you yourself seem to know there is a more intellectual environment geared towards academics. Amherst, while it is a fantastic school, is not as academics oriented as Swarthmore is. Swarthmore is very intense and it can be difficult for the average joe. However, not just anyone gets accepted into Swarthmore and Amherst. Amherst has no core requirements which can be both a good and bad thing. Some students might tend to take "easier" classes than challenging themselves. Swarthmore will prepare you with a work ethic that will lead to a greater chance of success should you choose to pursue a higher degree. If you plan on going to graduate school in the not too distant future, go to Swarthmore.</p>
<p>Nickleby, on a different board, you asked me to "humor you with 'Why Amherst'" (<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showpost.php?p=766249&postcount=10%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showpost.php?p=766249&postcount=10</a>)</p>
<p>For anyone else, possibly lurking, I found this to be very wise and very helpful when I finally decided: *pick one of them, and see if you will regret the other ones. that's where your heart is. and if you regret more than one, see which one you would most regret not going to. *</p>
<p>I'd listed a bunch of reasons for 'Why Amherst' on my 'cold feet' thread. I run the risk of repeating myself, but here are some reasons from my pro-and-con list:</p>
<p>[ul]
[<em>] open curriculum = freedom
[</em>] no AP credit
[<em>] great English heritage (Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost)
[</em>] Northampton (art)
[<em>] College town
[</em>] has everything I need, all the shops, theaters, etc., with a really pretty backdrop
[<em>] campus (~1000 acres)
[</em>] athletic facilities
[<em>] most likely to get a fantastic single junior and senir years
[</em>] money - very good
[<em>] friends already in the area
[</em>] I feel really at home. :)
[/ul]</p>
<p>Allure: does this mean you chose Amherst? I've been watching all your threads because I also was choosing between the two and I had basically the same money at Amherst as you mentioned. It was easier for me since Swat didn't offer the same fin. aid, but I hoped you'd pick amherst so I'd know I wouldn't be the only poor kid there.</p>
<p>Reasons I chose Amherst, other than money:
I really really like the open curriculum more the more I think about it-I love that I can learn about whatever I'm interested in.
I also loved the town-it's a cute little town with lots of bookstores, food, and little shops. Dorms were nice, campus is pretty(true of Swat too...)
Food was good, not wonderful, but better than swarthmore, and ranked pretty high of all the colleges I ate at. (note: I only consider the vegetarian options)
The classes I went to were both very good-very discussion based. One was pretty big, but still seemed excellent.
Everyone was super friendly
People seemed interested and involved in classes without being horribly stressed-I want to learn and be challenged, but I still want to sleep, chat with friends, and be involved in groups.
Social life--it seemed like there was a lot to choose from. I don't want a party school, I don't drink. Amherst seemed like there was some of that, but there was also plenty of other stuff to do.</p>
<p>Good luck choosing!</p>
<p>Hey, Cynthia, </p>
<p>Yes, I did choose Amherst. This morning I sent out the rest of the letters to the other colleges, saying, "no thanks." For sure you won't be the only poor kid there... us poor kids will be well cared for ;). </p>
<p>Did you attend Open House? While there, I made friends with some pre-frosh, all of whom ultimately decided to matriculate, and one is as poor as us, who's also going for free. </p>
<p>Thing is, my parents are expecting an income increase for 2005, so the fin aid may be less in the future. Thus the Swat Scholar deal was very tempting, but after thinking through the matter 23981276754 times, Amherst won again.</p>
<p>Like you, and like a great percentage of Swatties, I don't drink. But unlike Dartmouth, there is more to do in town than guzzle beer. </p>
<p>class of '09! yeah!</p>
<p>Another poor non drinker will be joining you from TX - my DD. Although not a full ride, good FA. She stayed in the Spanish-French dorm at the overnight, and is going to pick substance free. She's excited about Barnes & Noble, where she likes to go to hang out.</p>
<p>Hey, I'm picking substance free too! Maybe your D and I will end up as roommates.</p>
<p>That would be terrific. And if you don't, look for the girl from the Houston area.</p>
<p>allureNY86: My D wants to know if you love Pride and Prejudice. Whoever she rooms with will have to be subjected to seeing it on TV a LOT!</p>
<p>definitely choose amherst!</p>
<p>I'd choose Amherst or Grinnell (if it were in the northeast, I think it would compare favorably with the others WITHOUT the half tuition scholarship). (I take it the money doesn't matter? $70k can buy an awful lot in terms of educational opportunity: more than a year of medical school; two years studying art in Italy; 3 years of ecological research in the Amazon; 5 trips to Europe and 3 years of unpaid internships; etc.)</p>
<p>evitajr1 ~ no, I haven't seen Pride and Prejudice... I have read Sense and Sensibility, though, and liked it pretty much!</p>