Swarthmore students and parents can you update this? That thread stickied to the top of the Swarthmore section is very negative, was written by someone who did not go there, and veers off into a discussion of Williams College. It’s also over 9 years old. Is Swarthmore the same – all work? My D really wants to go there but I am having a hard time finding positive stores about Swarthmore. Please update me!
Here is my post from 01-04-2017. Check Environment at swarthmore? thread.
I have two sons affiliated with Swat. One graduated in 2016, and one is a sophomore. The 2016 graduate was an English special major, had lots of time to devote to extracurricular activities, graduated with above 3.9 GPA and is attending a great funded graduate program. The sophomore is Chemistry major, has time to participate in clubs and has great grades. Both love it and have no regrets. According to them, students are not competitive with each other at all, rather they put pressure on themselves to succeed, like probably students at most other elite colleges.
@jacobmatias. Thanks. Of course its called environment 
My d is a prospective English major also.
Engineering is among the toughest majors, at any college, and that may be the source of negative comments. Who knows!
My son is from an average high school and finds Swarthmore’s workload to be about the same as his high school work load. He double majors, plays an NCAA sport, participates in one club and finds time to socialize one or two nights a week. He loves SWAT. My other children and I have degrees from various large, private universities … and based on our collective experience … I love Swat too.
My son is a freshman double major and LOVES Swarthmore. He is considering a double major (or major and minor) does lots of outside of the classroom activities including a sport, has gone to Philadelphia several times and is getting top grades. Is it intense? YES. Put top students together in a small college environment and it is likely to be intense. But it is not TOO intense. He is very comfortable with the academic level, the amount of work, and the opportunities to socialize.
@Burgermeister
Do you know how Swarthmore is like for science majors on premed track? I’m really interested in Swarthmore but the negative things I heard about workload is scaring me.
Pre med is only a half dozen classes. Calc, chem and bio are the same material at any college. Swat’s premeds do well. Go to Swarthmore for all of it’s virtues not specifically premed. Find an enriching major and realize that pre med is a “minor”.
Hi! Current Swat Freshman here! Yes, the workload at Swarthmore is heavy. But, by no means are we all stuck inside all day studying! Most of the time, I study with friends or between classes. The library is a social place as well as a place to get work done (with free snacks every night!).
Another great thing about Swat is that the first semester Freshman year is pass/fail, so you have time to adjust to college classes without the stress of worrying about GPA. I am a double major on the pre-med track, and, while work is sometimes time consuming, it is never to the point where I can't go out with friends or have to pull all nighters. In addition, teachers are unbelievably accommodating with office hours, so it is easy to get help on confusing assignments.
Swat is a great school. Everyone I know here (including me) feels very lucky to be admitted. It's not the right school for everyone, but don't be scared off by myths about the workload!!