<p>When I visited the campus i felt like it was one of the most oppressive and depressing places i had ever been. My mom felt the same way. Anybody else?</p>
<p>Quite the contrary. I stayed overnight and loved not only my host and her roomate, but practically everyone I met as well. Sure, there were a few "quirky" individuals, but aren't we all? I attended a philosophy class and appreciated the initiative students took to transform a "lecture" class into one that was more discussion-based whole-heartedly. In general, I found the students, the faculty, and the overall atmosphere of Swarthmore to be intellectual, upbeat, and involved - and this was a freezing, rainy day!</p>
<p>Sorry to hear you had such a bad experience. Did anything in particular trigger such a strong reaction?</p>
<p>Yes. I'd love to hear some specifics as well. That has certainly not been my impression the times I've been on campus. And, it is not the feeling I get from staff, students, or alumni -- except possibly during exam week!</p>
<p>topper, was this Prof Eldridge's class? My son says he has a dry style of lecturing but he assigns his own work to read and when you read his papers and books, the clarity of thought and simplicity of his style comes through. He is eminently readable and understandable.</p>
<p>But he says the class does evolve into a discussion based class even though it is a lecture class.</p>
<p>Depressing? Did you visit soon after Bush was officially re-elected? I know there were a lot of people acting depressed for a few days after that.</p>
<p>I have been on the Swat campus many times, and found it lovely, especially in the Spring when the roses are blooming. It is a glorious place in Fall, too. The gray stone may be not to some people's liking, but I love it. I, too, would like to know if the academic atmosphere is what you, OP, sensed? I think "vibrant" is the word I would choose, even there.</p>
<p>momofthree, the amphitheatre in summer and fall is beautiful, don't you think? You just have to watch your foot when you go down there!</p>
<p>I know OP is probably a kid, and this is the INternet, but I wish people wouldn't make value judgments and disappear. Swat is one of my DD's top choices, and a bit of the odd one out, so statements like that are disconcerting!</p>
<p>oliverjl, many of us are interested in why you found Swat a downer. My impression is that it is the most lovely campus I have seen and the students love being there. From the tour guide on origianal campus visit to the helpers on move in day to d.'s attitude about the school, I have never heard a comment that has been less than enthusiastic. I have definitely visited campuses that fit your description but Swarthmore is definitely not one of them!!! So what is it that you and your mom experienced that left this impression?</p>
<p>Cangel, I wouldn't sweat it. As you note, the post was made by someone with 3 total posts...not a lot of investment here. I think Swat is a terrific school, one I would have suggested my D look at if her criteria had been slightly different in just a couple of respects (geography & ballet).</p>
<p>I see that the original poster has applied ED to Claremont McKenna. I wonder if he is a SoCal kid?</p>
<p>I can see how a SoCal'er could see Swarthmore (or many old East Coast schools) could be "oppressive". Not the word I would choose, but the old East Coast ambience of a city like Philly or a campus like Swarthmore could certainly be a culture shock to a West Coaster. What I see as "charm" could be just "gray", especially if you caught it on an overcast damp day.</p>
<p>Who knows? It was kind of a "drive-by shooting" post!</p>
<p>First off, I didn't mean to offend in any way. By all the good responses to the Swat campus I must have just caught it on an off day. By "oppressive" i meant that the campus felt void of life. Essentially, it seemed like nobody was having any fun in or out of the classroom. It was probably just not a good fit for me.</p>
<p>achat - it was, in fact, Professor Eldridge's class! I thought his verbal lecture itself was inspiring as well - very funny, but maybe at times dry. His would definitely have to be a class I take, should I attend.</p>
<p>Here's one reason why students might find Swarthmore oppressive: they don't want to study. There are plenty of people who just want the A, and see school as a means to a desired end, not something especially important in its own right. For a person like that, Swarthmore would be VERY oppressive. No easy A. I have no clue if this was the OPs concern, but I could easily see other people having this problem with Swarthmore.</p>
<p>achat, I agree that the amphitheater is gorgeous. I look forward for you to the day you experience your son's graduation there . . .I positively get chills when I think of that day last May. OP, I am glad you checked back in. There is a lot of teaming life at Swat, but it happens in certain places, like the chorus rehearsal room, or the individual dorm room. I thought it really funny that one year my daughter got together with all the girls in the dorm who have her same very popular name, and had a big slumber party. There is some "partying," but since most of my daughter's friends were not drinkers, I can remember a time they all (male and female) got dressed up in formal attire and drank non- alcoholic beverages out of wine glasses. Not really your typical campus activity maybe, but good stuff. Innocent fun. Never heard the word oppressive mentioned.</p>
<p>I can see how a visitor to Swarthmore could easily miss the fun on campus. </p>
<p>From talking to my daughter, most of the camaraderie takes place in small group settings, as momofthree says, in a dorm lounge, or one of several gathering places scattered around campus. There is not one central hub of activity (other than Sharples) where a visitor is likely to see large groups of college kids. There's certainly no place like "The Pit" at UNC-Chapel Hill, although my daughter has called home on a Sunday evening while sitting out on Parrish Beach watching a boisterous game of ultimate frisbee.</p>
<p>Also, to be fair, the campus IS pretty universally engaged in studying and extracurriculars during the week. For example, there seems to be pretty heavy participation in office hour sessions with the professors, study groups, etc.</p>