Thanks for the shout out to Reed. I had a hard choosing between Reed and Swarthmore many (many) years ago. Reed won because you never had to wear a tie. 
So the lack of a tie broke it. That’s pretty cool!
Actually, I had a very funky (we’re talking 1970) floral one, but that did not mean I liked to wear it. And my mom had always dreamed of going to Reed but the depression (bye bye family farm down by Coos Bay) took care of that. Choices can be influenced by all sorts of things. I hope OP goes to Swarthmore.
@momof2eagles Thank you for your reply! A hearty congratulations to your child for their acceptance into Swarthmore! I just came back today from Swatstruck (perhaps I met them there?); I personally had a lovely time in all possible ways; academic, social, institutional… My dad came to the parent events in the morning today, and for whatever reason he came away quite unhappy with the school. I am even more convinced that Swat is the place for me, but we’ll see…
@prezbucky Thank you also for your reply! I keep telling my parents that, that Swat and Dartmouth will give me the same opportunities to succeed in my career and in life as a global citizen. It’s just that I’ll have a nicer time at Swarthmore, because I fit in so much better in that particular climate. (Also, I appreciate the pun.)
In terms of research experience, both are comparable; in terms of clinical experience, Swat might win because of its proximity to Philly; in terms of academic experience, I personally think Swat’s rigorous and very demanding curriculum would suit me better; in terms of social experience, the quirky weird people I met at Swat are exactly the sort that I’d make friends with naturally… I personally don’t see any reason why there should be any more discussion with this, but I guess my parents don’t see it that way.
Another thing my parents keep saying is that the alumni network at Dartmouth is far stronger, so I should think of Dartmouth more seriously. While I don’t doubt that the alumni network at Dartmouth is much more expansive than at Swat, I just really have to ask – Why does it matter soo much? In my chosen field of medicine, it shouldn’t play such a huge role in my path, right? And what’s more, any connections I make would really have to be made in med school or beyond for them to matter at all, right? How on earth do I respond to such a point when I don’t think undergraduate education should really be built around that particular aspect?
[sighs] The struggle continues, I guess.
Have you visited Dartmouth yet? Maybe you would come to like it. But everything you’re saying tells me you should go to Swarthmore. Your parents will probably come around, but will you regret it forever if you went somewhere your heart isn’t feeling?
I applied to Swat a long time ago, but also got into Penn and a couple other places. My family was pushing me towards Penn because they never heard of Swarthmore and Penn is more prestigious. If I hadn’t ed I would have chosen Penn just because of their urging. Fast forward years later and I am supremely happy I didn’t. Having taken a class at Penn, knowing classmates from HS there, I know that the place you do best in is the place that you feel like you most belong in. I loved Swat. It was academically rigorous but non-competitive, intellectually demanding but earnest and egalitarian. I loved the emphasis on learning for the sake of knowledge and the urging of students to think responsibly about themselves and others. Although these are just ideals, by the time you graduate you will have absorbed some of the school’s principles and it will make you a better person, even if it takes you some time and distance to realize it.
Despite the ivies like Dartmouth and Penn being more prestigious, Swarthmore has a stellar academic reputation. I’m not in medicine, but when I applied to graduate schools and visited, the adcoms made it a point to tell me how good Swarthmore students are. I’m sure Dartmouth students are great too, but Swarthmore is just the most incredible place to be if you value knowledge and rigor for the sake of honing your intellect, craft, and awareness of yourself and the world around you. Choose the place that you think will turn you into someone you wish to be and maybe you will be that person. Your parents can’t help you learn to be your own person.
Generic Mermaid, I wish you the best on your decision. I have a graduating senior at Swarthmore. He chose Swarthmore over Harvard and has had an excellent education. He’s not interested in medicine but he was accepted to graduate schools in his chosen field with funding. The alumni connections have already been terrific and provided guidance and assistance with the graduate school process. The professors have been absolutely amazing. I also have a child attending Harvard and having a good experience there. A Swarthmore education is definitely on par with Harvard. I would highlight the personalized experience and access to professors at Swarthmore. I know Harvard isn’t Dartmouth, but perhaps a parent’s perspective with students at an Ivy and Swarthmore might be helpful. I think my son made the right decision for him by attending Swarthmore and is well educated and successfully positioned for a future in his desired field.
Neither Dartmouth nor Penn has more prestige than Swarthmore.
@wesleyan97 Thanks for pointing that out. I always hesitate to jump in and comment on this type of comment. To label a school as “more prestigious” than Swat just because it is a member of the Ivy League is just ridiculous.
The names might be better known in some other parts of the country but I agree that does not make either more “prestigious.” Some people just don’t know LACs, but have heard of Ivies, etc. There are probably ten times more people aware of Ohio State than Reed (maybe 100 times). Swarthmore is a great school and, in the places that matter, like grad schools, there ain’t no difference.
I am sorry if I offended anyone for conflating prestige with fame. I agree that Swarthmore is very well regarded for its academics, and if this is what determines the prestige of a school, then Swarthmore is indeed prestigious. I have no doubt that Swarthmore can hold its own with colleges in the ivy league.
Hi everyone,
I wanted to thank you all for your incredible help and support; College Confidential has a really nice community in you.
I am very very pleased to announce that after long, long, long debates with my parents (busy days, sleepless nights, and difficult talks… This is the reason I haven’t been able to drop by on College Confidential recently), it’s been decided that I will in fact be part of the graduating class of 2020 at Swarthmore College!!!
Thank you all for your kind words and responses; in the end, you all definitely helped in swaying my parents just a bit to seeing it my way…
I don’t think I ever realized just how stressed out I was for basically the last year. After pushing that submit button to pay the enrollment deposit for Swarthmore, all of my worry and and unease just melted away, and I am happier now than I remember being in a long time. I am thrilled to think that in just a few months time, I’ll be calling the Swarthmore campus “home”! (Truth be told, I guess I’ve already mentally started doing just that…)
So for all of that, I thank you all for your help again.
Cheesy or sappy as it sounds, I think that you’re all wonderful people, and I want to wish you all the best in everything.
You took the time to help a high school senior in a very difficult and stressful time, and whatever karma points are coming your way for that, I wish their speedy arrival.
Thanks everyone.
- GenericMermaid
Huge congrats, @GenericMermaid! Enjoy your four years as a Swattie!
Hooray and hugs to you and your parents! ATS
Congrats on making the right choice!
@GenericMermaid -wonderful news! I hope that your parents will come to see that Swat is an elite institution and that you have a productive and fulfilling college career!
@GenericMermaid congrats.
So what ultimately swayed your parents?
Thanks everyone once again!
[I just noticed a major mistake in my most recent announcement; one sentence in the beginning is interjected with another, about the reason for why I wasn’t able to respond so much… My apologies!]
@EyeVeee I guess in the end they still believe that Dartmouth is a better place for me, but I managed to convince them to give me the benefit of the doubt. Now I just have to show them that it is a good place for ME, just as I know it is, by going and being successful there.
I’m very happy for my college prospects, and looking forward to the fall!
@GenericMermaid : You are obviously a responsible and sensible young person, and your parents deserve some props as well for recognizing that.
@GenericMermaid : I second what AboutTheSame said. Best of luck.
Congratulations! Glad your parents let you make the decision. You will have a better college experience than if they pushed you into attending a school that you knew was not as good of a fit.