<p>Hi everyone! I'm an international student who just got accepted by Swarthmore. Feel soooo happy about it! I'd like to look for some advice on choosing between Swarthmore and UVa. I want to major in political science, philosophy and art history. As I'm a big fan of art, I really want to know how's the artistic environment at Swarthmore? Besides, how do you compare the social science majors in Swarthmore and UVa? Which one is better? Also, since Swarthmore is not too big, does it have a very diverse atmosphere?
Thanks for your help!</p>
<p>one more thing, does Swarthmore offer scholarship to international students if they didn’t apply for financial aid at first? Thanks!</p>
<p>There isn’t really any comparison on diversity. Swarthmore is one of the handful of most diverse elite colleges and universities in the country. UVa has traditionally been a very white, very preppy school, although it has recently become at least a little diverse.</p>
<p>Swarthmore:</p>
<p>56% White (inc. unknown)
07% International
08% African American
17% Asian American
10% Latino/a
01% Native American</p>
<p>UVa:</p>
<p>71% White (inc. unknown)
05% International
09% African American
11% Asian American
04% Latino/a
00% Native American</p>
<p>On political science and social science:</p>
<p>Swarthmore is the #1 producer of Political Science PhDs (per graduate) of any college or university in the country. Also #1 in Economics. And #1 in Social Science PhDs overall. It is a political science powerhouse.</p>
<p>On “scholarships”, Swarthmore’s aid for internationals is all need-based. If you didn’t submit the application demonstrating need, then they assume that you don’t have any need. If you submit the need-based aid forms at some point in the future, they will evaluate your need at that point.</p>
<p>Thank you, interesteddad.
It’s really helpful! I have a little concern about LAC schools…do they enjoy high reputation as national u do? will it put me at any disadvantage to graduate from a lac, when i’m looking for a job ?
Thanks for answering!</p>
<p>^ Graduating from Swarthmore would put you at an advantage, if anything.</p>
<p>id choose swarthmore in a heartbeat, partially because of the stats posted by interesteddad(great post btw 
) but also because a smaller school will give you a lot more chances to connect with teachers and get the help you need(if you do)… + they have A LOT of prestigious awards for students who do well :)</p>
<p>also, yes, i agree with tetrisfan, if anything itll probably give you an advantage its known as one of the best schools in the country and it has been personally recommended to me by several very high ranking government officials of india(family friends)…
even without that, as i am interested in medical school, particularly at yale, i asked them about some info on the incoming class of 2007, and there were 2-3 people from swarthmore there… pretty impressive/incredible! :)</p>
<p>I’m new to this and couldn’t find the exact thread I wanted to post to (which included posts from kids who just found out they were wait listed at Swarthmore). My daughter was wait listed last year. Swarthmore was her first choice so she wrote a VERY personal letter about why she wanted to attend and what she offered the school. Dean Bock called a few weeks later and offered her admission. He said her letter really made a difference for him. She now attending it, is working extremely hard, but is very happy both acedemically (other students and profs are great) and socially (not a party scene).</p>