swarthmore or colorado college?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Swarthmore College
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<p>hey, i posted the following section a while back as i tried to narrow down the schools i was interested in. Since then i have narrowed my choices down to CC and Swarthmore (i've been accepted at both). Im waiting on my finaid package from Swat to come in, but if its similar to what i was offered at CC (which is likely) ill still be stuck. Here's a little general back ground on me (from a previous post on CC), followed by why i like/want to attend each school. any input would be greatly appreciated. thanks.</p>

<p>"im a freshman at UNC-Chapel Hill, but its simply not the place for me [too big academically and socially, too greek focused, too much like my home (im from NC about an hour away) and academically too focused on grades rather than learning/simply not challenging). </p>

<p>im pretty laid back, dont get too stressed out, esp about school (work). but i do take my studies seriously. i want to be somewhere that values learning, rather than simply getting good gradess; personally im not really motivated by getting an A but simply by studying what interests me (this was a big problem for me at UNC)... im trying to find a laid back atmostphere with this same approach to learning. i think im going to major in political science (theory) and english (literature and/or creative writing), so i'd definately like a school strong in one of these, and a strong writing program would be best. politically im pretty liberal, and (agreeing with Locke) feel that as long as you dont harm others, or infringe upon their rights, you should be able to do/think as you please: i definately want to go somewhere the reflects this idea; where free thinking and ideas are accepted and encouraged."</p>

<p>CC: block plan; in Colorado > enjoy outdoor activities (skiing, hiking, etc); seemed like everyone was relaxed and laid back, foucused on learning but not obsessive over grades/school</p>

<p>Swarthmore: diverse > tons of different types of people who seem open to everyone around them; a slight edge in academics (over CC); close of Philadelphia but still in a smaller setting; seemed like everyone was laid back, but still (overly?) focused/obsessed on/with school</p>

<p>thanks for the help.</p>

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<p>Swarthmore is a great school. Just my opinion, but if you are really looking for “a laid back atmostphere with this same approach to learning,” I think Swarthmore may not be the best place for you. Laid back it is not. It can be fun, exciting, challenging, infuriating, stimulating, frustrating, but laid back is probably the last adjective I’d use to describe it. I don’t know much about Colorado College, but it has a good reputation and will probably provide much of the change from UNC you are looking for.</p>

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<p>agree with dadx3 on this. i do think swat has a definite edge in academics, we have a fantastic polic sci department, and any major will whip your writing into shape at this school, but if you’re looking for creative writing there are many avenues for exploring that as well. yet colorado college is nonetheless a great school and the state is beautiful. swarthmore is very intense, so although a trip to our serene campus might fool you somewhat, it’s not particularly laid-back. students here are very, very busy with homework, clubs, saving the world, etc. they thrive on this lifestyle. and yes, they are very much so into learning for the sake of learning, but if you’re looking for a chill sort of place…swarthmore usually doesn’t quite fit that bill.</p>

<p>in any event, good luck wherever you go!</p>

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<p>thanks for the responses. would you describe the (academic) enviroment as collaborative or competitive? thanks</p>

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<p>Definitely collaborative. Swatties are competitive with themselves, always striving to learn as much as they can and be better students, but there is no talk of grades (we don’t even calculate GPA or class rank), and people are always working together on projects or helping each other out when it comes to learning new material or brainstorming paper topics. I went to a really competitive high school and Swarthmore could not be further from that atmosphere - it was a really refreshing and comforting change for me.</p>