<p>I've heard the two are similar. Can I have some indepth descriptions of both and details on how and why the two are different? thanks</p>
<p>I applied to Haverford and not Swat because Swat is known for being all work and no fun. This might not be true, but everyone I know (including my college guidance officer) said the same thing.</p>
<p>Fundamentally, Swat and Haverford are very similar schools. We're both small, elite liberal arts colleges with active student bodies, strong science departments, emphasis on the individual, fairly lame social life...and of course, both situated in the suburbs of the same major metropolitan city- good old Philadelphia. From most accounts, Swatties are regarded as a little more high strung than Haverford students and a little farther left on the "wow, that kid is kinda weird" scale. There's always been a certain rivalry between the schools (the classic phrase "Swat Sucks" comes to mind), but I haven't really seen too much of it. </p>
<p>It's all a matter of individual preference (Swat has a better economics department, Haverford has a better bio program). When you're deciding between colleges like Haverford and Swarthmore, it more comes down to social life and environment than academics and opportunities. I think you'd actually have to spend a night at each school to really find out about how things are different.</p>
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<blockquote> <p>There's always been a certain rivalry between the schools (the classic phrase "Swat Sucks" comes to mind), but I haven't really seen too much of it. </p> </blockquote>
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<p>Is it true that when the 'Ford fans yell, "Swat Sucks", the Swatties chant, "Safety School. Safety School."?</p>
<p>I think a popular cheer for both of these schools is, "Kill, Quakers, Kill!"</p>
<p>There is a huge rivalry between Haverford and Swat, and it is indeed true that we yell "swat sucks", while they chant "safety school". However, we tend to get more creative, and we're definitely more into games than they are. We filled up an entire side - albeit the smaller side - of their gym for the men's game, while they barely even brought enough people to fill up a section on one side of our bleachers when their team came to play. Also, our men's team makes tshirts every year that say "Swat sucks". This year they say, "Swat sucks.
Swarthmore student (sworthmor stood'nt) n.
1. Endangered species of the nerd family identifiable by its unusually high squeaky voice and awkwardness towards the opposite sex. 2. Usually travels alone, but has been known to congregate in structures called libraries for long periods of time. 3. Recluse; someone you've never seen nor spoken to in a social setting. 4. One who is wholly incapable of functioning within the norms of society. 5. Was rejected from haverford after a failure to converse with their interviewer. 6. Ended up at their safety school." :)</p>
<p>HAHAHAHA! nice, mycow08 :P</p>
<p>go to swat. better academics, better people, bigger endowment, better life.</p>
<p>What makes the academics better at Swat, Mazzo? Is it better profs? higher achieving, more serious students? </p>
<p>How different is life (you say 'better life')at Swat compared to Haverford? Is the fact that it is bigger (more students) part of that?</p>
<p>Mycow:</p>
<p>I think it's delightful to think about Haverford and Swarthmore having a heated athletic rivalry! The whole thing has a real tongue in cheek humor to it that I like.</p>
<p>Florus:</p>
<p>If I'm not mistaken, Mazzo is not happy at Haverford. It happens. So I would take the comments with grain of sand. IMO, saying that the academics are "better" at Swat isn't really a knock on Haverford, which is a great school. Swarthmore is widely considered to have perhaps the most rigorous academics, workloads, and classroom experiences of any college or university in the country. That doesn't mean that a ton of other schools aren't very, very good.</p>
<p>I don't know about Matt (Mazzo), but I couldn't give you a reliable comparison between the two schools 'cause I don't go to Swat. However, unlike Matt, I'm really happy at Haverford, so i'm obviously going to tell you good things about our school. The kids here (with the exception of myself, lol) seem to be extremely good at balancing work and play, and the academics are top-notch. That said, I've definitely heard the classes at Swat are crazy and that the kids work nonstop, so if that's what you're looking for, maybe swat's the place for you, but just know that the academics here aren't exactly a joke either. Good luck with the whole thing, and don't stress out too much - it'll be over soon. :)</p>
<p>look at it this way: swat kids don't care about the sports rivalry. i think that says a lot.</p>
<p>yeah, that we're way more fun.</p>
<p>B UUU m P</p>
<p>listen to interesteddad. he knows everything.</p>
<p>Thank you for all your insights and humor, interesteddad. You are truly helpful on this forum.</p>
<p>"Swarthmore is widely considered to have perhaps the most rigorous academics, workloads, and classroom experiences of any college or university in the country. That doesn't mean that a ton of other schools aren't very, very good."</p>
<p>To me, I read this and it instantly tells me that Haverford is "better" for about 99.5% of the human population. ;)</p>
<p>Not necessarily. I think Swarthmore is a really incredible place for some people. Their academics are rigorous but really amazing. As are Haverford's. I think it all comes down to finding the place that you get the right feeling from. I know that sounds trite but I know I didnt believe that until I felt it. Also, I'm sure Swarthmore specializes in some things that other schools don't so...there are a lot of benefits to both schools.</p>
<p>lol you guys are so loving and diplomatic now, but you'll change your tune when you get here, and all you'll be saying is "SWAT SUCKS". It's contagious. ;)</p>
<p>sorry, i love rivalries.</p>
<p>My advice is apply to both and then visit, see which one you like. Whichever one you choose you'll be able to experience life at the other, so it just depends. I go to Bryn Mawr and I find Swat a nice place to take classes and hang out with friends, but get more support from the administration and campus community living at Bryn Mawr than I would have at Swat. It all comes down to how you feel, and the great thing about the tri-co is that you get to experience life at the other colleges no matter which school you end up at.</p>