<p>hows the social scene here? is it a close student body?</p>
<p>I would list the cohesiveness of the student body (and the faculty and the administration) as one of Swarthmore's defining characteristics. There are several reasons for that, but one of the key factors, IMO, is housing first-year students in regular dorms with upperclass students. This brings new students into the Swarthmore community from day one along with an expectation for upperclass students to provide mentoring about college life on some level.</p>
<p>The last accreditation committee review (led by the Pres. of Oberlin) pointed out that the students, faculty, and administration are all on the same page to a striking and unusual degree.</p>
<p>Even when you have natural groupings (jocks, engineering geeks, etc.), they tend to be Swatties first.</p>
<p>Social scene is about what you would expect on any college campus. Statistically, the percentage of heavy drinkers is significantly below the national average, but that doesn't mean that alcohol isn't widely available at parties.</p>
<p>There's a tradition of all college funded events being free and open to all students. So, there are [almost] never closed parties. All of the campus groups throw parties: the frats, the debate team, the Af-Am students, the Asian American students -- open to, and attended by, students from all over campus. There are usually two or three campus-wide parties each weekend: DJ, dancin', and so forth. There are several big event parties each semester, some of which are notoriously wild. There's a name band each semester (this fall is The New Pornographers) and indie band type acts every weekend or every other weekend at The Olde Club on campus. Movies.</p>
<p>Thursday night every week is Pub Night, which is pretty much like it sounds: $3 or so, kegs set up in the Tarble snack bar -- a nice break from studying after 10 pm.</p>
<p>Some students go into Phila a lot. Others not so much. My daughter has averaged about once month or so...dinner with friends, the art museums, etc.</p>
<p>I had the same question. Does anyone else have any other insights about Swarthmore's social life?</p>
<p>It's active - real active. If we're talking parties with alcohol, there are 5 or 6 a week (some nights with more than one). There's always plays, performances, random get together events. I'm real happy with what I've experienced.</p>