<p>Which would be best for an English lit, creative writing, visual arts-oriented kid? Also likes dance, plays several instruments...not as intensely focused on academic acheivement, though capable of it; dislikes academic competition. Doesn't mind spending lots of time on academics as long as there is time for creativity in the mix. Education credentials may have to be an eventual goal. Accepted at both. </p>
<p>Also, what are the chief differences in the social culture? Which would be better for a quietly happy, completely unneurotic kid who enjoys close friendships, and who is not what I would consider as intense or especially intellectual relative to what I read about students at Swat in particular? Not a fan of drinking culture, likes to watch theatre, film, likes music. Nature loving, and cares about environment, but not politically active (doesn't get all that angry about issues). Straight, relationship-oriented female. Has a great sense of humor and maturity.</p>
<p>“Also, what are the chief differences in the social culture? Which would be better for a quietly happy, completely unneurotic kid who enjoys close friendships, and who is not what I would consider as intense or especially intellectual relative to what I read about students at Swat in particular?”</p>
<p>Haverford especially based on that quote. I’m a freshman here and love it. I think you’d definitely find a niche for all those interests you listed here- there’s apparently going to be a “Film House” next year that will show movies on a projector every Thursday night. Feel free to PM if you have any other questions.</p>
<p>Both are super schools. Swat has some major pluses, however (USNWR, Forbes and WSJ notwithstanding): larger student body, equal M:F ratio (Haverford effectively skewed toward female given close ties with Bryn Mawr), much wealthier (far higher per student endowment- higher, in fact, than several ivies). Swatties tend toward the intellectual, but encompass a wide range of personalities and interests. Given the choice, I’d recommend Swat.</p>
<p>Thanks for the feedback. The endowment difference shows–FA at Swat was more generous, and costs are a little less than at Hvfd. Swat wins that particular comparison.</p>
<p>I agree that you should consider money, but I don’t think for the rationale Dad2 implies. </p>
<p>I think who you describe would be perfectly happy at either school (which are both wonderful) but I get the feeling that HC seems like a slightly better fit based on what you wrote. Money is important though. If HC is the better fit (and it’s hard to gauge this from 1 short paragraph), is it worth the additional expense to your family? It may or it may not. Only you/your family can make that determination. </p>
<p>Dad2 points out a perceived (-) with the skewed M:F ratio because of the Bi-Co consortium but does not also in my mind fairly point out to you its obvious benefit. To be accurate, Swat has a slightly larger student body at around 1450 students compared to HC but it should be noted that <em>Swat is functionally the smallest of the LACs</em>. Every LAC in Swat’s comparison group functions at around 2000+ students because of true size or consortium arrangements. Swat isn’t in a consortium like the Bi-Co and operates essentially independently given its distance from the Bi-Co. It is very small.</p>
<p>The comparison is Swat vs HC+BMC. If the comparison were Swat vs HC, then given what Dad2 wrote about student body size and endowment, Swat would win out usually but not always (there are some fields of study that HC does better). However, there are some fields of study BMC does best among the 3 and there are many more areas that the pooled resources of the Bi-Co can either match or exceed what can be provided by tiny Swat. Extrapolating educational resources or academic experience based on endowment size is misleading. All these schools have a student/faculty ratio of 7-8/1 so…</p>
<p>Swat 1450 students = about 193 faculty
Bi-Co 2500 students = about 330 faculty</p>
<p>Imagine being a classics major in the Bi-Co who can complement their studies with archeology (BMC’s is very well known); or a comparative literature or history of art major who can take Italian; or a fine arts/sculpture major who is trained in bronze casting or a psychology major who can focus on either behavioral (HC) or developmental (BMC), ect… There are some academic areas that are at Swat and not the Bi-Co, such as linguistics and engineering, but the faculty used for these departments must mean thinner faculty offerings elsewhere. </p>
<p>What are the course offerings like in the fields you mentioned between HC/BMC and Swat?</p>
<p>Agree with HC Alum that HC better matches the things you chose to highlight in the short blurb you shared here. Dad2 makes some good points…which, on a general basis, are well-taken.</p>
<p>“not as intensely focused on academic achievement, though capable of it; dislikes academic competition.”</p>
<p>“not what I would consider as intense or especially intellectual”</p>
<p>“not politically active (doesn’t get all that angry about issues)”</p>
<p>I read these things and I hear you telling us to not tell you that Swat’s the better match. I respect your apparent gut feeling and, if you’ve chosen your words wisely when describing yourself, I think HC Alum is right to think you match up well with what I know about HC.</p>
<p>So while Dad2 is correct in pointing out ways that Swat scores points on some generic basis, I’m not feeling it for you and that’s mainly because I’m picking up on your signals that maybe you’re not feeling it either. Except that Swat’s a little less expensive. And, on a generic level, it’s a great school.</p>
<p>You’ll still have to sort out the final equation. But I think your decision boils down to whether a slightly-cheaper, higher-rated school is something you can turn down in favor of a slightly-more-expensive, highly-rated school that seems to match up well with the type of person/learner you are.</p>
<p>Thanks again for your thoughts–it’s not entirely about school culture, fit with personality, and cost–which has better art studios, dance studios, music lessons, fiction writing classes, faculty in all of these areas? And enough other creative spirits to create a crowd?</p>