<p>I've picked andison's brain enough to report on his overnight and wanted to share because the success of his visit was partly attributable to advice gotten here. </p>
<p>Flew to Philadelphia Airport and took trains to Swat. Not a difficult trip even for someone who hasn't traveled alone in a significant way. Only problem came when he forgot to get off first train due to reading a book. </p>
<p>He had a great meeting with a music prof who spent 45 minutes talking with him and seemed very invested in sharing his passionate views on music/ education. Then he met with a friend of his in the music library (learned that it's a great place to study because it's so quiet, until they started talking of course) and learned a whole lot more about some wonderful opportunities for serious music students. There are a couple of well respected teachers who come out to the school from Philly to instruct and the school will even sponsor highly qualified musicians to study with profs at Curtis and even Juilliard. Wandered around music building and introduced self to boy playing piano in practice room who was friendly and happy to share experiences.Even though boy was majoring in something else and hadn't even taken any or many music courses, he was able to be very involved in the music program there. Very talented player.</p>
<p>When he was in the dorm during the evening and his host had to work, he wandered into different rooms and chatted with lots of kids. Even met a former gf of one of his hs buddies. Despite the mixing of different classes, the dorm was mostly freshman, because it's not high on the lottery system. (I believe this is the one with the basement that some of you have mentioned) A bunch of kids came into their room around midnight and they all watched a movie until 2 a.m.</p>
<p>He attended a freshman seminar on the history of Philly and also a physics class and introduced himself to the profs. Liked classes, said physics more theoretical than course he's taking at MIT which involves lots of problem sets. </p>
<p>Checked out some other dorms that he said were fantastic, although I can't remember the names-- around a quad I think. Campus even more beautiful than he had remembered.</p>
<p>Didn't feel that his interview went well. Felt that interviewer wasn't friendly and only seemed pleasant when talking about herself. Since he had met so many students he liked, the interview didn't negatively color his opinion of the school, but hopefully it won't hurt him.</p>
<p>Trip definitely worthwhile, best way to get to know a school.</p>
<p>Thanks for the report. My (junior) daughter is also very interested in music among other things, although not as much as your son I'm guessing, and her interest is in composition. She liked Swarthmore a lot when she visited over the summer, but didn't have time to do more than the tour and info session, and students and profs weren't on campus, so I appreciate hearing about your son's visit. What we saw of the music building was quite impressive. I hope you'll report on his other visits, too.</p>
<p>The dorm he stayed in had to be Willets. It is the only dorm at Swat that is mostly all doubles, so it is split about equally between sophmores and freshmen. Other dorms tend to be the opposite: juniors/seniors and freshmen.</p>
<p>Willets tends to be one of the most "social" dorms -- a good place for meeting a lot of people. It was popular in the sophmore room draw this year for that reason and because it has a convenient location.</p>
<p>One more thing. Andison was trying to avoid bringing his sleeping bag so he wouldn't have to lug it on planes and trains. His host, after initially advising him to bring it, then wrote back that he had used force and procured him a cot. Evidently the athletes have a supply for when they have recruited athletes as guests. Something for future visitors to keep in mind. :)</p>
<p>Andison was accepted to the Worcester Polytechnic Institute
He was named a WPI Presidential Scholar one of the highest level merit aid ( $60,000. over 4 yrs)</p>
<p>I think Andi-son plans to wait 'til April to see what all of his options are and then go from there. His strategy this year was designed to ensure multiple options, as evidenced by an early write acceptance with a hefty merit-aid discount.</p>
<p>Wisely, IMO, Andi-son has kept his application list to himself this time around. Your guess is as good as mine.</p>
<p>It would be pretty amazing, however, if both andison and NJPitcher wind up at Swarthmore, after all. But I'm sure they will each have lots of good choices for Fall 2006!</p>
<p>NJPitcher's Presidential Scholar award is a different award. His is a national award and the WPI Presidential Scholar award is the college's own merit award. If that's the connection your were making?</p>
<p>No, just that both had seemed to like Swat and NJPitcher was deferred for now, and both he and your son are generally waiting for RD decisions. And the Swat board is aware of both, and I think we are rooting for them to have lots of good choices, including Swarthmore. The Presidential awards (both different) were not the similarity I was referring to, it was more the interest in Swarthmore.</p>