Swarthmore vs. State school

Parents Forum
1

<p>Hello parents, </p>

<p>I've posted here from time to time and you guys are wonderful. Here is my most recent dilemma :). </p>

<p>I am a twenty-year-old who spent my freshman year at Swarthmore college and then took a year "off". I've been working, attending a few classes at the local State college, and I am planning for a trip to europe. I took the year off for medical reasons. I am bipolar (recently diagnosed) and have only found a good medication recently. In short, its the first time I've been stable in years. </p>

<p>Initially when I left Swarthmore, I never wanted to return. My freshman year was pretty bad. I'd planned to transfer either to my local state school or to an equivalent such as University of British Columbia, University of Washington, or University of Oregon. However, now that I am becoming more stable, the idea of returning to Swat is becoming more appealing. </p>

<p>This is a really hard decision for me. I have so many bad associations with Swat and I am scared I will just become unstable again. I don't have to make a decision for a while, but I'm just really conflicted over it. </p>

<p>here are the pros and cons as I see them. </p>

<p>State School
Pros: close to home and familiy, access to really good psychiatrist and therapist, cheap, easier (and therefore less stressful), I have a neat little set up here with a house and a cat, etc, weather is great in CA :), I have a pretty good job, friends, I love this town, I love to hike and do outdoors stuff and CA has a lot more opportunities for that</p>

<p>Cons: It might be too easy?, less supportive educational environment, less prestigious degree, it would take me three more years to finish, I would actually probably have a worse GPA, my amazing roomate is leaving in the fall and I don't know who I will live with</p>

<p>Swat
Pros: I could get back into extracuriculars like theater, its a prestigious school, I have good friends there, It would only take me 2 years to graduate, my gpa would be higher, I am kind of ready for a change and living in the city might be nice, I have an advisor that I love who teaches in the area I want to major in, I will be closer to my best friend (Pittsburgh)</p>

<p>cons: good psychiatrist and therapist?, will my living situation be comfortable?, will the workload be too stressful, if I live in the city, will commute be too much?, will I find a good job? </p>

<p>Basically going back to Swat would be throwing a lot of things up in the air and I am nervous about it. </p>

<p>Any advise?</p>

2

<p>My friend, no one can offer you good advice on this. The real question is your health. None of us have any idea how different environments, workloads, etc. might affect your health, or even how the triggers of being back in a place where you had a bad experience will affect you.</p>

<p>You are right to seek advice, though, even if it is only to talk about it, because talking about this is what you need to do to come to a decision. Just writing this out with pros and cons is getting you nearer that decision. I wish you all the best of luck, whatever you decide. My ONLY potentially useful advice is this: Your health comes first. If you don't have that, nothing else matters.</p>

<p>Good luck young man or lady.</p>

3

<p>I agree with Tarhunt - health comes first. I'd probably go with what is currently working, rather than that which might work.</p>

<p>Interesting to note you'd probably have a higher GPA at Swat. (That's probably true.) Wouldn't let that sway you one way or the other - either way you choose , you'll never know. And five year from now, you'll never think about that again.</p>

4

<p>I can just echo that your mental health is more important than anything. Swarthmore does have a reputation for being higher-stress than many places. I'm not saying don't go back there, but you are doing the right thing to think long and hard about it. I'm sure you'll consult your excellent psychiatrist and therapist. The decision will be yours, but their input would be valuable. And a good therapist will help you think through the factors that will lead to your ultimate decision. </p>

<p>Good luck! I remember your earlier posts and am so glad you have achieved some stability. That is a MAJOR accomplishment. I hope you give yourself the credit you deserve for taking care of yourself. Love your name too--does this mean you're now "not so bananas" or just bananas in a different way? Your sense of humor will serve you well. Keep us posted.</p>

5

<p>If the spring break at your school does not coincide with Swat, maybe you could spend a week there, talk to your friends/professors/advisor/housing people, and see how you feel about it then? And, of course, talk to your psychiatrist and therapist.</p>

6

<p>A psychiatrist and therapist that you already know and trust are worth gold (I have a bipolar brother). Not at all easy to find. Health supercedes all.</p>

7

<p>Can't you take graduate courses or graduate level courses at your state school?</p>

<p>I agree with the others. Health comes first.</p>

8

<p>
[quote]
This is a really hard decision for me. I have so many bad associations with Swat and I am scared I will just become unstable again. I don't have to make a decision for a while, but I'm just really conflicted over it.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>If you are conflicted over it, then I'm not sure why you would consider going back?</p>

<p>Also, living in Philadelphia and commuting to Swarthmore doesn't make a lot of sense to me. It could be done, easily enough, but it seems like it would not take advantage of much of what makes Swarthmore Swarthmore. That kind of arrangement would make a lot more sense at a larger school. I think it would be a little disconcerting to be detached from the community at a school with community as one of its most defining characteristics. I just don't know if Swarthmore works without full immersion. It would be an interesting question to ask students there.</p>

9

<p>Agree that it would be counterproductive to live in Philly and go to Swarthmore, although there is a SEPTA station right on campus, so you could get there and back pretty easily on public transportation.</p>

<p>I am sure that there are many, many, many good, experienced therapists in the Swarthmore-Media area. But of course it's not always easy to connect with the one who's just right for you.</p>

10

<p>Your stability is golden, and congratulations on getting a handle on bipolar and how it affects you, as most of us have dear friends with this very illness and these years you are in right now are the bridge years to learning to live with it successfully. Can't view Swat as a commuter school. Unless you truly are ready to seek out and get to know a new local doctor in Swarthmore..and there are probably some excellent professionals there too..find your challenges closer to home where you already have a support system of people that value you and know you well. You don't have to have the prestige of Swat to leave a mark in this world. You are already very talented and CA is a universe unto itself every bit as interesting as Philly. Stay well and seek all the things everyone wants in this life and everyone your age deserves and needs. Intimacy, adventure, work. Good luck making your choice on where to pursue your educational years and it is great to know you are feeling ready to spread your wings again.</p>

11

<p>If you have good doctors back home that you trust and to whom you've responded favorably - I think that supercedes everything else. Maintaining your health is most important. There are many fine schools in CA. IMO, I would not be concerned about a school's prestige...</p>

12

<p>In California, trust me, not one out of 500 people will ever even have heard of Swarthmore. (It's a great school, but if you think you are going to find a lot of prestige in it, think again.)</p>

13

<p>Usually on CC I am one of those who argues for the advantages of prestigious liberal arts colleges. But in your case, I agree with those who are stressing good mental health and a comfortable social and therapeutic environment. I am guessing your main interest is in a liberal arts discipline and that you will eventually want a graduate degree(?). My advice would be finish your B.A. where you are but stay in touch with the Swarthmore advisor in your major that you "love". Maybe you can arrange a Junior Year semester away at Swarthmore earning some credits in your major? When you get your B.A. and have your health issues under control, you can look towards graduate school--maybe at U.Penn in Philly? or maybe somewhere else with great hiking and new trails to explore.</p>

<p>With my best wishes,
Pyewacket</p>

14

<p>"Initially when I left Swarthmore, I never wanted to return."</p>

<p>I'd go with your gut.</p>