Liberal atmosphere

Colleges and Universities A-Z Swarthmore College
1

<p>I realize that most colleges are going to lean towards the liberal side, since education in itself is liberal. I really like Swarthmore, but I am a conservative looking to major in political science. Would I feel trapped in the liberal atmosphere by attending?</p>

2

<p>no ..n ;kuh</p>

3

<p>Well... I think that Swarthmore as a whole would welcome the diversity that it would bring, (it's obviously a very accepting place) but I wouldn't be able to say that there wouldn't be people who were nasty to you about it once in a while. When I went on an overnight the first tuesday after election day, some students asked me who I would have voted for had I been of age, and they acted like they would have been upset if I would have said GWB.</p>

4

<p>Well, I think the first Tuesday after election day was still officially in the state of mourning, so people will be touchy. I was there a couple weeks after the election and no one seemed dogmatic, but I'm a dirty lefty anyway so I may not have noticed.</p>

5

<p>Apparently the Poli Sci department is not very politicized (pardon the pun) in that it is a far left or even a Marxist department. While the school is, by nature, liberal, there are some conservatives on campus and an active College Republicans chapter. I think that if you are a conservative who can support his views eloquently and intelligently, you'll be fine here.</p>

<p>Election Day 2004 was another matter. People on campus were so depressed that one of the comedy groups had to have a show and Student Council declared a moment of primal screaming!</p>

6

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<p>I think that depends. I think some types of hardcore right-wing conservatives (especially evangelic Christians) would be uncomfortable at Swarthmore. For example, there will be gay students in your dorm and they will be accepted. You won't find much anti-abortion sentiment. And so on and so forth. There are some social conservatives who would have trouble with the accepting, inclusive campus culture on moral/religious grounds.</p>

<p>If, we are just talking about politics, then no big deal. To be sure, conservatives are out-numbered and you'd find some closed-minded Swatties who would dismiss your views out of hand -- something that is true at virtually every elite college. But, if you are someone who enjoys a good political debate, can keep it good natured, and can have a little bit of a thick skin, being a conservative at Swarthmore could be a lot of fun.</p>