<p>These colleges are so different, but still, I can't choose between them. I'm interested in majoring in Int'l Relations, History, Linguistics, English, Psychology, Sociology, etc. (basically anything in the humanities). I want small classes but with university resources like a wide array of courses to choose from. I prefer Swarthmore's location and Swarthmore's student body, but I like Penn's resources better. Also, I hear that Swarthmore's academics are excessively rigorous, and that many students there feel that they are in a pressure cooker. Still, I am not a party girl and I know that socially, Swarthmore is a much better fit. However, I don't want to die because of all the work and harsh grading that Swarthmore's so notorious for. </p>
<p>Basically, I need advice. And because I haven't applied to college yet, school suggestions based on the above would be greatly welcomed. Thanks!</p>
<p>Penn and Swarthmore are part of the Quaker consortium which allows you to take classes at I believe five colleges in the Philly area. So you could attend Penn and take classes at Swarthmore or vice versa.</p>
<p>The fields you mentioned happen to be ones in which Penn is ranked in the top 10 or 20 in the country, along with many other liberal arts fields in which Penn is ranked in the top 10 or 20 (Anthropology, Classics, Comparative Literature, Economics, French, German, Music, Physics, Religion, Spanish, etc.). Many intro and virtually all upper level classes in the fields you've mentioned will be fairly small at Penn and, as you've acknowledged, there will be a much greater selection of classes at Penn.</p>
<p>Also, Penn's student body is large and diverse enough for anyone--including "nonparty" girls :)--to be able to find plenty of compatible company.</p>
<p>Of course, for those who prefer the environment and feel of a small college, Swarthmore would be the better choice. But keep in mind that many different types of students are able to fit in at and enjoy Penn, and not just the party animals!</p>
<p>Swarthmore is 20 minutes from Penn by train. It is really feasible to take classes at Penn if you go to Swarthmore, and if you major in some fields (e.g., linguistics, sociology) it's probably a really good idea to do that. (I've met the entire Swarthmore linguistics department -- all 3-1/2 of them. they are lovely, smart people who really know and really care about their students. But, still, there are only four people. For an advanced course outside their areas of expertise, you want to go to Penn.) I don't know how many students at Swarthmore actually take advantage of this, but it's completely do-able.</p>
<p>The differences between the two colleges are probably somewhat less than you think. Upper-level humanities classes at Penn will not necessarily be a lot larger than the equivalent classes at Swarthmore. Penn has way more of them, and way more people, but at both places what you would do would be to latch on to 3-4 teachers you like, and that will represent most of your upper-level courses in your major. The difference is that at Penn that will be 3-4 out of 30-40, and at Swarthmore it may be 3-4 out of 5-6. But the education won't be so different.</p>
<p>The physical and social environments are pretty different, of course. It's really a question of what you prefer.</p>
<p>When I visited Swarthmore and stayed with a friend it seemed a lot more liberal about drinking and drugs. His hall reeked of weed (while at Penn only a few rooms will) and people were drinking outside. Usually at Penn if you are drinking around campus and are under 21 you will get written up. He has said that he has smoked weed with some professors too. He was in the whole party scene and I am too so I didn't really see what other students were doing for fun, but I know at Penn you are in such close proximity to Center City and there are so many more people that (even though lots of people go to frats and club hopping) you will find lots of non drinking activities to do on the weekends.</p>
<p>The social environments are extremely different. If Swarthmore is ideal, you won't like Penn so much. If you're just worried about the party atmosphere, it wouldn't problem- Penn's rep as a party school comes from a very visible minority, but most people aren't wild. But if you're looking for the earthy, liberal, artsy vibe of Swarthmore..well, I'm sure you could find some people like that here, but it's a very small minority.</p>
<p>On a side note, I strongly disagree with venkat. The administration/RAs and GAs here are very lax about drugs and alcohol. Write-ups are rare. On weekends like Fling, the end of classes, the first days of spring...you will see people roaming outside with alcohol, during the day. At night it's even less of an issue. I would guess that Penn is much more of an alcohol school and Swarthmore is more of a weed school.</p>
<p>If your an 18 year old standing outside a main building on Locust Walk with a beer bottle I'm pretty sure you might get written up. If you are drinking or getting high at a party of in your room nothing will happen to you unless you make a ton of noise. Maybe I'm wrong and maybe I can start walking around campus with an open bottle.</p>