<p>Does anyone know the basic schedule for Ride the Tide? I called Admissions, but the receptionist wasn't sure about any of the details. She thought it started early on Thursday, April 15 but she didn't know when it ended on Friday, April 16. Can any of you veteran Swatties help out? Our D is trying to figure out her travel plans, and she'd appreciate any details that would help her choose her flight times.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Ideally, you would like to arrive as early as you can – say by lunchtime on Thursday – and schedule your departure for late in the day on Friday – say 5 pm. In reality, people are arriving all day on Thurday and departing all day on Friday (mostly with little or no sleep).</p>
<p>I found this schedule (for parents) from last year. It shows a parent lunch with staff from 1 to 2 and checkout from 11 to 2:30 pm on Friday. Figure the earliest plane you would want to book with an 11 am checkout would be 1 pm. A flight later (say 4 pm) would let the student eat lunch at Swarthmore and grab one of the later shuttles. Depending on where you live, a 5 pm flight would take away any time pressure for making the flight.</p>
<p>[Swarthmore</a> College | Parents’ Dashboard](<a href=“http://www.swarthmore.edu/x17817.xml]Swarthmore”>Parent & Family Resources :: Swarthmore College)</p>
<p>Here’s what the Dean posted on the facebook group:</p>
<p>Start:
“Official registration begins at 9 am on April 15.”</p>
<p>Finish:
“You can check out as early as 11 am, but the program will officially end by 3:30 pm on the 16th.”</p>
<p>That’s exactly what I needed to know. Thanks, interesteddad and gc414!</p>
<p>ID - What arrival time would you recommend for someone driving in? I live close enough to be picked up shortly after I call home on Friday, but I don’t want to arrive at 9am sharp and be lonely.</p>
<p>Hard to be lonely there. The first time my daughter stepped foot on the Swat campus (we were in the midst of a 1,300 mile, 13-college tour in February of her junior year in h.s.), she had not gone more than 50 feet from the car where we had just parked in the visitors’ lot when a nice kid asked if he could help her, direct her etc. They then engaged in a 20-minute conversation (as I faded into the background). So if you arrive before the rest of your RTT cohort, you shouldn’t worry. Take the time to look around & talk to Swatties, who, for the most part, are pretty decent & accommodating people. They remember when they were in your shoes as well. And they really do want to engage. You are their legacy in a certain sense. BTW, in said visitors’ parking lot, my daughter opened the car door, put one foot out on the pavement, and–while still sitting in the car–said, “This is it. This is where I want to go.” She never looked back…</p>
<p>Funny northforker! Those are the same words that my two friends that have gone to Swat said, “One step on campus and you never look back!” My S is accepted. I hope he chooses Swat.</p>
<p>^^Well, I applied EDII (and have visited 3 times already) so the decision is made already. 
But since it’s so close, I have no reason not to attend, and hopefully I’ll sway some RDers.</p>
<p>Sarah,</p>
<p>My D visited in her junior year and twice in her senior year. The last visit being RTD. Her feelings about attending were not strong like north’s child’s or your friends’. If anything, her reaction was just the opposite. </p>
<p>At the emotional level she had doubts because of all the horror stories she had heard about how serious the students were and had experienced some of that intensity during her visits. She had not been privy to much of the lighter side. She is very outgoing and likes to do other things besides studying 24/7; so she vacillated. On the other hand, whenever she tallied the academic side of the equation, she knew that it would be a great fit. During RTD she had an opportunity to sit down and talk at length with some faculty with whom she shared interests. It sealed her decision, but did not erase her doubts. </p>
<p>My H and I knew in our hearts that it was the best place for her, so we reassured her that if she was not happy she could always transfer. About a month and a half after school had started she e-mailed me thanking me for “gently pushing” her towards Swarthmore. She had found a great group of like minded kids who study hard but who also enjoy being silly and do not take themselves too seriously. Now in her second year she cannot think of a better place to have landed. </p>
<p>At least twice a month, she ventures into Philly for social outings and also regularly pursues some of her interests off campus. She has managed to make it into NYC at least a couple of times. On campus she is thriving academically while freely engaging in her bouts of silliness with her friends. </p>
<p>So if your child is not as sure as your friends’, remind him or her that one of the best things that Swat has to offer is an incredible group of peers with whom to spend what will probably be the most important formative years of his or her life.</p>
<p>Well, my son made 3 trips to Swarthmore to see if he wanted to apply ED. Just before his last trip his college counselor said to him, “I want you to come into my office with a decision on Monday. No more procrastinating!” On Monday morning he walked into her office and said, “This is the place I want to be, if they’ll take me.” She looked at him and said, “I could have told you this three months ago and saved you from looking at all the other schools.” She knew exactly what the best fit was for him before he did.</p>
<p>^I also visited three times and vacillated a lot (for so long that I applied EDII! though there were other reasons). I never had that instant “click” fit–actually, I best “clicked” at a different school–but Swat is perfect for me academically and a very strong fit socially/financially. It is not my perfect college because such a school doesn’t exist; I’m too picky and have far too many wants. But it’s my best overall fit and I don’t regret applying ED even if I might prefer aspects of other schools to those same aspects at Swat (e.g. weather, food).</p>
<p>And for those worried about social life, DD just this week caught Pub nite last night, is going in to Philly tonite with friends for a concert, and is looking forward to the big Sager party Saturday nite. Plus, she’s doing honors & is under a lot of pressure right now. She says it’s all about time management.</p>
<p>Anyone know if we have to plan our trip through BTI</p>
<p>I assume that BTI is the travel service Swarthmore has asked you to use because they are paying for your flights. If Swarthmore is paying, then use their travel service. If you are paying, then do whatever you like (Hint: check Southwest fares to Philly).</p>
<p>For DiscoSwat this year they used BTI and although they weren’t incredibly friendly, they got me a great flight with no connections (LA-Philly). When I was on other visit programs, the other travel agencies saved a bit of money and had me fly with connections… Basically, BTI is great because they don’t cut corners… And plus this way they pay for your trip :)</p>
<p>Sorry everyone. For the overnight portion of Ride the Tide, am I supposed to bring a sleeping bag, or anything special in particular? Thank you!</p>
<p>Absolutely, bring a sleeping bag. You will either be sleeping on someone’s floor or, as my son did, sleeping out on “Parrish Beach” which is the Swat equivilent of a quad. He only used his host’s room to shower. He had a great time. Sleeping outside was fun, but they were up early. Make sure you try to find some of the kids you’ve met here.</p>
<p>Great, thanks very much! Sleeping on the quad? Sounds interesting!</p>
<p>Ah! …were they going to tell us any of that? lol.
i’ll look around and see if i can find a info page i suppose</p>
<p>I was wondering about the same things. Has anybody received any sort of information for ride the tide? ie. your host (i guess in this case we might just be in the “quad?”), the schedule, ect</p>