This is a cross post with the Grinnell board. If that breaks any CC rules please let me know I’m pretty much a scrub here.
So I’ve been admitted off the Swarthmore waitlist and are giving me until the 11th to decide. I’m honestly at a loss as Swarthmore was my previous top choice but before hearing back, I had just fallen completely in love with Grinnell. If anyone has any insight on the differences or could enlighten me on whats the real difference between the colleges. I’ll make a short list of what I perceive to be the pro’s/cons of each college.
Cost-Quite literally the same. Swat is slightly more but with taking the plane tickets into account (I live 1.5 hours away from Swat vs 18 hours from Grinnell) they are quite literal the same so cost isn’t a factor into this.
My major interests are biology and physics with a slight interest in engineering. I hope to eventually pursue a PhD and I know both schools will do whatever they can to help me reach my goals.
Grinnell-Pros
The student body- On my visit there I felt like I really belonged with the student body. Smart, quirky/weird, and laid back. The people I spoke to admitted that they studied a lot but also that they felt very relaxed at times and that the myriad of clubs and activities made them let loose. From what I’ve heard dance clubs are a big thing there but what really struck me was Nerf at Noyce, a testament to how weird and nerdy these people are, which I loved.
The open curriculum/advising- The idea of having the freedom to choose classes while having a close relation to my tutorial adviser seemed like a neat idea.
Use of Endowment- Even though Grinnell has a smaller overall endowment it seems like they put it well more into use than Swat but correct me if I’m wrong.
Lots of new Initiatives- Things like the Grinnell first year global learning experience and the new humanities complex is very promising. A friend that I met during Grinnell ASDs also ended up getting into Swarthmore and said that generally the Grinnell facilities where a little bit nicer.
It feels like I’m really wanted here. I got an early write and had the chance to speak to their head of fellowships and had a very pleasant conversation regarding international awards such as the Goldwater scholarship.
Grinnell Cons
Location- the location to me is kind off a pro-con more than anything. In one way it’s undeniable that it is very limiting on a number of activities one can do outside of the college but in a way, it also brings together people since we all chose to attend despite the fields of corn surrounding the school. Though it’s undeniable that Grinnell Iowa isn’t considered the best college town for a reason.
No dedicated engineering- I’m interested in Engineering but Grinnell does not have a dedicated engineering major and while I have looked at 3-2 programs they sacrifice the study abroad portion and it seems for one reason or another not a lot of students complete said 3-2 programs.
Swarthmore Pros
Location- not far from Philadelphia and an hour drive to my house. Nothing too huge as I was ready to leave for Iowa but plane ticket expenses could stack up.
Engineering Dep. As previously stated they have an engineering department that would let me see if engineering is actually right for me.
Super beautiful campus- a sure given
I can’t say much more about the student body since I haven’t visited but I would guess that they are all bright students but perhaps a little less lax than at Grinnell and perhaps more intellectual.
Probably an easier time getting internships from the proximity to Philly.
I have a close friend going to Swarthmore in my year and another super close friend going to Penn. I do know the quaker consortium isn’t used much but it is nice knowing I’ll be close to some of my best friends for college.
Swarthmore Cons
Rigor- from everyone that has visited and what I’ve read online, it’s apparent that Swarthmore is very very hard. Some students have said that many friends have transferred for they couldn’t handle the work. I guess my fear stems from a sense of imposter syndrome I’m getting from swat. I guess I feel more confident in really succeeding at Grinnell than at Swarthmore.
Stress Culture- seems to be a lot of stress from what I’ve read which is only expected from a top school. I wouldn’t say Swarthmore is more stressful than Grinnell but more on the way that the campus culture handles stress. From what I’m getting Swarthmore takes the more Hopkins approach of making self-depreciating jokes on the amount of work/stress/rigor. I even saw an alumni musical that talked about “This would have been an A anywhere else”.
I can’t really think of much else since I have yet to visit.
Hopefully, with everyone’s perspective, I can make my decision with a clearer mind that is less held back by my own biases.