<p>Sadly, I cannot make it to ride the tide so I was wondering since Swarthmore is such a small school will the people who do go make most of their future friends at ride the tide or am I not at much of a disadvantage if I do not go?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Swarthmore has about 1500 students. You’re not going to make fewer friends at Swarthmore just because you didn’t spend a couple of days here before even starting classes. Some students who go to Ride the Tide end up not going to Swarthmore. Whether you attend Ride the Tide or not really won’t impact the friends you’ll have at Swarthmore.</p>
<p>I totally second dchow. On top of that, often the friends you make at RtT simply aren’t the people you’re going to be friends with once you’re here: they’re unlikely to end up on your hall, where many people make really strong friend groups, or in your department, or in the clubs you’re a part of, etc. Although I knew a lot of people at my RtT, they really didn’t end up as the friends I’m currently closest to now, two years in. So definitely, definitely not - don’t worry! :]</p>