Help me choose between these three. Older, non-traditional student. Aspiring philosophy academic. Looking to go to a top 10 PhD program and eventually become a tenure-track university professor. Maybe enter into public life sometime thereafter.
I like Reed because of its intellectual atmosphere and excellent undergraduate philosophy program. I like Swarthmore because I’m drawn to its prestige, and it has a lot of great public service fellowships and other scholarships. Also has a cool honors program. And the school of General Studies at Columbia sounds great, though I do have some worries about its grad-school placement. Any thoughts?
As an older, non traditional student you might be more comfortable at Columbia because of their graduate and research programs. There would be more people in the same stage as life as you on campus even though your classes would still be primarily the younger, traditional undergraduates.
I was going to say the same thing. Don’t know how old you are, but you would be more likely to find mature students at Columbia, and be able to blend more.
Bear in mind that Reed has very few non-traditional/older students, though it did have a few when I was there. Reed’s campus culture that’s appealing and inclusive to people who’ve been square pegs all their lives. You’ll need to visit to figure out if that’s what you want in a school and if you’ll find a tribe there. Academically, it suits what you want to do. It’s a rigorous place, though, and can be difficult socially. Visit, and you may fall in love. Or not.
I’m a Swarthmore alum and parent and agree with the previous. I don’t think there are many (if any) older, non-traditional students there, which might make it a less comfortable place for you. But of course that would be for you to judge-- I’m sure the intellectual and social environment would be very welcoming to you.
I think as an older, non -traditional student, Columbia seems like the best choice by far. The other two are small, insular, and going to be almost entirely 18-22 year olds. I like Reed & Swat fine for HS students looking for colleges, but think you’d find more peers and be happier at Columbia. And it isn’t like it is a lesser school!
Thanks for the comments! To clarify a bit, I’m not that much older than the average student (by the time I graduate, I should be 25 or 26). However, I do think it would be nice to be surrounded by a cohort of peers that are a bit more mature.
Some of the comments may be conflating SGS with Columbia College. This doesn’t negate the responses, of course, but I’d weight this as you consider your choices.
Regarding Reed and Swarthmore, note that these schools accepted you knowing your age. In the opinion of their committees at least, they could make good academic and social matches for you.
I’d think that at SGS you’d find that the students might express relatively divergent academic paths, so you might miss the concentration of students with interests highly similar to your own as you might find elsewhere. However, if you feel comfortable with following your own path, I think you could reach all of your goals from SGS while benefiting from the overall Columbia University experience.
Go wherever you’d like. You’ll be 22, so what? The school admitted you and knows your age.
Yes many will be a bit immature but that’s not your worry, get the best degree for you major.
It’s not your worry if someone can’t handle a friend being 3 years older. Perhaps you can room with a junior transfer. I would go to swat. And enjoy philly too. Call them and see if there’s anyone coming in as a transfer or after a gap year. It will be fine.
But I do understand the comments above. I just don’t agree. The time will go by fast in the big picture.
Would either Reed or Swarthmore allow you to room with a junior or senior? It’d likely be off to room and live with teenagers. However rooming with older students may be a bit isolating.
Email both residential colleges wrt to your age/rooming with non teenagers (either transfers or older students).
That’d likely be the biggest issue - in class there wouldn’t be a problem.
He’s 21 and they are 18 maybe 19. He could marry someone that age or be dating. It’s not a like the students are 14 or 15. They’re young adults. Can vote,drive, fight in wars , get married and drink in Canada.
If they were in a Fox hole or barracks would it be “off putting” ? I’m sure in an elite bubble, they’ll be able to survive. it will be ok.
And they don’t have to best friends. They don’t even have to hang out, like each other or anything. It’s a roommate. You can be friendly and courteous. It’s a place to chill and sleep.
It will be fine op. You can handle it, I’m sure of it.
I disagree. The maturity level between an 18 (17, 19) year old freshman and a young man who’s had a life is a matter to think about. It’d be more comfortable to be with older students for OP, more relatable, more fun too.
(The Army comparison doesn’t stand: rank supersedes age.)
True, but same thing applies for female students. There may not be the same maturity gap as for teenage boys but it’s still easier to relate to peers if we’re not talking “fresh out of high school/home kid”.
OP might feel even more out of place as a female student, to be honest - a woman among boys. Not that 18 year old female students aren’t women, too, but you know what I mean. A lot of 18 year old male students will definitely be boys…
