Schools that are surprisingly similar to Swat

<p>To those of you who are considering Swat: Swat is an awesome place. However, you've probably been told that you shouldn't have your hope set on just one school as that is risky. So where else to apply? One thing to consider is that there may be other colleges with a different atmosphere in general, but they may have smaller programs within the college that make it pretty similar to Swat. For example, one of my good friends is seriously thinking of being in FroSoCo next year at Stanford (Fres-Soph College). In this particular dorm you get more interaction with faculty (they have lots of random dinners, lecturers, etc.) and a smaller close-knit environment. It is also known for being a bit more intellectual than the rest of campus, a place where everyone thinks learning is cool. This is just something I really wish I had known earlier on in the process. If anyone knows of any similar programs at other institutions (probably larger research universities) please post!</p>

<p>If someone is worried about not getting accepted at Swarthmore, I'm not sure that applying to Stanford should give them much additional piece of mind!</p>

<p>There are, however, quite a few liberal arts colleges that offer a similar academic experience -- many of which are better admissions "bargains". One is right up the road in Bryn Mawr. Smith would be a terrific alternative as well -- very academically oriented place. Several of the midwestern LACs also fit the category -- Oberlin, Grinnell, Earlham, St. Olaf, etc.</p>

<p>I have heard that Pomona is like Swat, except more laid back and sunnier...</p>

<p>Personally, I think the whole natural approval of academia and intellectualism is hard to find in the college process. Of the schools I applied to, only Swat happened to have it. Guess I lucked out.</p>

<p>marlgirl ,
If you are looking for a close-knit intellectual community at Stanford, you should look into SLE. It is not "competitive" (pretty much anyone who applies gets in), and it's not for everyone. But it is, I think, as close to Swarthmore as you can get at Stanford.
So you picked Stanford after all? Btw, if you want FroSoCo, you can apply for it when you fill out your housing preferences (it requires additional application, but anyone can apply. The main advantage of FroSoCo is that you don't go to housing lottery your sophomore year. I am not so sure about that dorm being any more intellectual though...)</p>

<p>It is SUPPOSED to be more intellectual at least. It seems to be, based on my visit during admit weekend. I think neither SLE nor FroSoCo are for me though.
And weird things happen in admissions. It is quite possible to get into HYPS type schools but not Swat. Swat seems a bit more predictable, but you just never know.</p>

<p>Sorry you picked Stanford Marlgirl, but I'm sure you won't regret it. You sound like a very capable young Marwoman and I am sure you will make your mark in the world wherever you go to school. As I'm sure you know, it is the students who make the school much more than the converse.</p>

<p>You may remember me from those meaning of meaning all-nighters I told you about last fall. Too bad my son won't get to know you. His loss.</p>

<p>BTW, I don't think there are really any HYPS type schools except HYPS. Not even M.I.T. or Columbia, but I'm not the last word.</p>

<p>As for Pomona. It was very high on my son's list. Very happy students, great weather, the socal beaches I grew up on. Downsides are smog and (crassly) a little less prestige.</p>

<p>Good luck on the Farm. Go Bears!</p>

<p>I also know a couple of Pomona students from S's high school that did a joint project w/ some Swats. The Pomona students did complain that the Swats were a trifle to intense for their tastes...possibly confirming the Surfing Safari theory.</p>

<p>whoa, sorry to intrude, but whats this "Surfing Safari theory" that you associate with my future alma mater?</p>

<p>Sorry, Kosuke, I was just goofing around. If I had a point it was probably that Pomona is likely to be somewhat less intense than Swarthmore. I have a sneaking suspicion that Pomona just might be the best marriage of ambiance and intellectual rigor available in the country. I understand they do roll up the sidewalks pretty early in Claremont, but I'm pretty sure the sidewalks on Hollywood Blvd. still stay on the ground all night like they did when I was a teenage surfer wannabe from beautiful downtown Burbank/Tujunga back in the late 60's. Despite the fact that noone in LA has ever seen an unpimped 50 year old woman (more goofing), as a new Angeleno you are in for a treat and a sensory bombardment that will be an education in itself. Have a ball and try to get to class from time to time.</p>

<p>gladdad - I hate to be so childish, but this <em>IS</em> the Swat board you're posting on. Nice weather and crazy culture in the surrouding area is nice, but I wouldn't trade the innately crazy and quirky student culture at Swat away anyday.</p>

<p>To each his own.</p>

<p>thanks gladdad. no need to apologize though, i never really took any offense. and yes, gphoenix, to each his own. maybe if i do the swat-pomona exchange thing ill see you there.</p>

<p>gphoenix, I thought you were the one who introduced Pomona to this thread. </p>

<p>I believe I am agreeing with you in my belief that Swarthmore is the best liberal arts college in the country. Period. My son just finished his freshman year @ Swarthmore. Would I rather he had attended Pomona? No.</p>

<p>At the same time I believe that any young person fortunate to spend 4 years @ Pomona is unlikely to have any regrets and will have no one to blame but themselves if they don't obtain a world class education a nice, if life threatening, tan.</p>

<p>As for this being the Swarthmore board, you should read the thousands of words dedicated to Williams, Amherst, Smith, Carleton and countless other schools herein. Some of us empty nesters have too much time on our hands.</p>

<p>Good luck @ Swarthmore, where you are unlikely ever to hear "surf's up", even on Parrish beach, gphoenix. I was going to say you are lucky to be heading to Swarthmore, but I'm sure your spot was earned through exceptional achievement.</p>

<p>gladdad, how was your son's first year?</p>

<p>"Some of us empty nesters have too much time on our hands."</p>

<p>Ain't that the truth!! :-)</p>

<p>My apologies. The suggestion that Pomona "might be the best marriage of ambiance and intellectual rigor available in the country" seemed to suggest that Swarthmore was not. I think my Swat pride overreacted, and it shows in my post above.</p>

<p>Eclipse0, 1st year was awsome, if not perfect. His interests are philosophy & poli sci, but he also took courses in astronomy, linguistics, music composition & black history, sampling much of the menu. It was a real learning experience, if you'll pardon the pun. Not everything went swimmingly academically, but he made lots of friends, got involved in several (too many?) extracurric's., had a few interactions of an amorous nature and matured significantly. He is extremely glad to be home for the summer where he hopes to put the 17 lbs. he dropped back on, earn some $$$ and hang w/ his old friends (I'm resisting calling them homies or his crew, here), but is also looking forward to 2nd year and the adventures (w/ will hopefully not include any more 55 hour spans w/o sleep) and opportunities it promises.</p>

<p>D is home from her first year at Swat, too. She expressed sadness that her first year is over. She's going to miss some of the seniors that she met.</p>

<p>I can tell she's a Swattie because she logged on to my Netflix list before she come home and loaded up with Indian cinema films. Sheesh! What happened to Bruce Williis or Sandra Bullock explosion movies?</p>

<p>BTW, she took me around to some parts of the campus I hadn't seen before. Kohlberg coffee bar is a very nice gathering space, as is the new coffee bar/sushi bar common space in the Science Center. Coffee there was fantastic. I really like how the academics side of the campus is chock full of informal meeting spots. </p>

<p>She also showed me the inside of Trotter Hall with its renovated atrium area. Wow. Can't wait 'til the construction barriers come down at Parrish. Bet it's going to be pretty nice, too.</p>

<p>Long-time lurker here, finally posting. I had to laugh, gladdad, when I saw this: "when I was a teenage surfer wannabe from beautiful downtown Burbank/Tujunga back in the late 60's". I was a teenage surfer wannabe from beautiful downtown Burbank/Tujunga back in the mid-70's!!
As the mother of a DD who will be Swat '09, this just seems to confirm her observation that all the Swatties she has met so far are eerily similar (in a very good way)!
Looking forward to meeting you all on campus in the fall--thanks for all the helpful information over the last year or so:)</p>

<p>Sounds like the Tujunga/Swarthmore pipeline is getting bigger by the minute! Nice to hear from siusplau. You didn't go to Verdugo did you? I actually lived in Glendale, Eagle Rock, La Cracenta, Burbank, Tujunga & Sunland (one step ahead of the truant officer) at various times.</p>

<p>Congrats to your daughter. If you are still on the west coast, the flights to & from Philadelphia are bad at all, though 4 days for Thanksgiving is pushing it.</p>

<p>Gladdad--just as I thought, VHHS it was, but Sun Valley is where I grew up. But we now live on the east coast, after living in many different states/countries. Both my husband and I graduated from one of the Claremont Colleges, so that is the other thing that struck me about this thread--how much cross interest there is between the schools. DD was also accepted to Pomona, and would have been happy there, but she is a Swattie through and through. Having lived in many different places, I can definitely vouch for the culture shock in switching coasts. However, that is not always a bad thing--everyone should do it a least once in their lifetime!</p>