<p>I am attempting to decide among Swarthmore, Kenyon, and U of M for college. I realize that U of M is a very different type of institution than Kenyon or Swarthmore. Nonetheless, I am interested in any insight that may make my decision a bit more informed. </p>
<p>My planned area of study is biochemistry and I wish to swim in college, which will be possible at Swarthmore and Kenyon but not at U of M. </p>
<p>As of right now, I'm leaning towards Swarthmore but my brother's attendance at Kenyon has given me a slight bias towards the school and I'm having a bit of trouble deciding. I would greatly appreciate any help!</p>
<p>My D also is choosing between Michigan and Kenyon. I was wondering if anyone else was on the fence between these two completely different, but excellent, schools. Like the OP, she is in aquatics (a diver), but both Kenyon and Michigan are both so strong in swimming and diving, she likely won’t be competitive even at Kenyon, which is Div III. She, too, may want to study sciences (possibly psychology or neuroscience). I’d be curious to know more about why Michigan is in the mix, and how to decide these two schools.</p>
<p>mrscollege is correct if you are going to make a decision based solely on prestige.</p>
<p>However, Kenyon is plenty prestigious enough (above a threshold where even a very talented student should be concerned at all), and you can fairly ask yourself where you will thrive academically but also best enjoy your overall experience. My guess is that Swat can be as grueling an experience as U Chicago. Only you (and those close to you) know whether you will happily embrace how grueling it is and therefore not experience it as grueling, or whether you indeed would be significantly happier somewhere else.</p>
<p>You have 3 very interesting, great choices.</p>