<p>Hi, we are looking forward to visiting Swarthmore with my son (junior in high school) over Columbus Day weekend. I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions as to where to stay- we are looking for a place close to campus, clean and cozy. We plan on driving in from NJ early Sunday, exploring Philadelphia a bit, and then heading for overnight in Swarthmore for early am tour. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!</p>
<p>We have stayed at the Day’s Inn in Springfield. It is only about a mile or so from Campus. It is very basic, but clean and pleasant. We are talking the motels of our youth, with the outside walkways. I know there are also some B & Bs in town, but I don’t have any experience with them. Are you aware that the students will be on vacation that week? It is a beautiful campus. I hope you have a great time.</p>
<p>Thank you Nursekay. I think that is where I will make my reservation- I called the college, and they said that the Days Inn is the closest to campus. We are not really interested in a B&B, as we will be bringing older brother along, and are on a budget. (This is last son to attend college, so funds are really tight!) I am not sure if Columbus Day is when we will visit now that I know they are on fall break- I appreciate your help.</p>
<p>The Days Inn was a Howard Johnsons, completely renovated about 4 years ago and then sold to Days Inn. We stayed there for two or three years and had nothing but good esperiences. It’s right next to Best Buy on the Baltimore Pike.</p>
<p>There are plenty of restaurants along the Pike. Bertucci’s Brick Oven Pizza is a favorite of ours if you just want something easy after driving all day. Or, drive over to Media (about five minutes) for a whole street of really good ethnic and other restaurants. The Indian place is really good.</p>
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<p>Excellent retro imagery! Gracias.</p>
<p>Thank you, Interesteddad! I was going to research where to eat next, so I appreciate your advice. We have decided to hold off until early November (Teachers Convention, so kids are off a few days) so he can get a better idea of Swarthmore. He wonders if it will be much, I mean in the liberal sort of way, he is not conservative, but more in the middle. He noticed there are alot of alternative clubs for such a tiny student body, so we want him to visit when school is in full session so he can get an idea if it is a social fit.</p>
<p>Here ya go. This map of dining and lodging is a couple of years old, so who knows what is still current. For example, the Days Inn was still the Howard Johnsons and Target hadn’t opened their new store in the mall. But, at least it will get you started. There is a lot of shopping and dining very close to Swarthmore. I think that tends to get overlooked.</p>
<p><a href=“Google Maps”>Google Maps;
<p>As for the whole liberal, moderate, conservative thing, I never perceived that to be an issue (and I’m hardly a radical lefty!) Actually, I’m in a “predict the November election” pool with a bunch of recent Swattie alums as we speak, although I suspect my predictions are a bit of an outlier. I’ve encouraged them all to turn to DailyKOS for in-depth analysis of the House and Senate races before making their picks!</p>
<p>There are Swatties represented in conservative pundit and government circles, although the spectrum tends to run, as it does in most of academia, from moderate Yankee New York Times style Republican to hard lefty. Not too many Sarah Palins at Swarthmore although they have one fairly well-known neo-con hawk defense policy expert in the Poli Sci department. Swatties tend to go a little deeper than the cable news network talking points when it comes to classroom discussions of complex issues. I was always impressed with the breadth of the reading in courses my daughter took on “political” issues. I mean, she was assigned an essay by Pat Buchanan in one course.</p>
<p>Thank you again! And I am glad to hear that that you never felt strong leanings one way or another. I will post in November after we visit.</p>
<p>Don’t get me wrong. Swarthmore is a liberal place, but so are Harvard and Princeton and so forth. It probably would be a bit much for a social or religious conservative (opposing gay rights and so forth), but I don’t think that’s much of an issue in Swarthmore’s applicant pool. There aren’t many elite northeast schools that are likely to challege Hillsdale or Liberty U. on the political spectrum.</p>
<p>This is video of panel discussion among three Swarthmore alums on the topic of civil discourse in politics. It will give you a reasonable flavor of the Swarthmore spectrum, politically.</p>
<p>[Swarthmore</a> College :: Inauguration of President Rebecca Chopp :: Leadership, Liberal Arts, and the Common Good](<a href=“http://www.swarthmore.edu/x29706.xml#Panel1]Swarthmore”>http://www.swarthmore.edu/x29706.xml#Panel1)</p>
<p>Thanks again, Interesteddad. That was so nice of you. I will show it to my son as well. We have already assumed that the campus is accepting of others- that is expected from any school he would consider. Maybe this will explain: He would like plenty of dating opportunities…of girls. :)</p>
<p>njmom,
My son just started as a freshman at Swat and I have an older son who graduated in '07.
My new freshman son recently told me that he’s met a lot of Republicans! 
Or at least their parents are, he said. If you have any questions that a current student might be able to answer I’d be happy to get answers for you. I do think it’s a great idea that you were able to switch your visit until November.</p>
<p>Momof3sons, I am also blessed with 3 sons as well, and appreciate your kind offer! I am sure we will take you up on asking a few questions after we visit. This will be a new experience, as his brothers attended southern schools, oldest just graduated Wake Forest and middle is a junior at Elon. That is why it was so important to see the school in full swing- we visited his brothers quite often, so he is used to very vibrant campuses, the excitement of football and basketball games, ect. I know Swarthmore is not known for sports, but this son gets excited about sustainability as well as sports! I am thinking that it might also be end of leaf peeping season, making it an extra nice drive. Thank you once again, and best of luck to your son.</p>
<p>Wake Forest was one of the schools we visited with my daughter. Early decision at Swarthmore meant no Wake application, but there were a lot of things to like about it.</p>
<p>There is no doubt that Swarthmore is more liberal politically than Wake. The similarity is a focus on rigorous academics.</p>