<br>
<br>
<p>I think that opinion can be based safely on a little more than hearsay. All three are excellent, highly selective schools (each with its own pros and cons). However, Swarthmore has some features that set it apart from all but a very small number of other colleges. The one that comes first to mind is its honors program: [Swarthmore</a> College | Academics | Honors Program](<a href=“http://www.swarthmore.edu/honors.xml]Swarthmore”>Honors Program :: Swarthmore College) </p>
<p>Neither Brown nor Wesleyan, as far as I know, has anything like that program. The one school I can think of that has a similarly rigorous program is Reed College, which requires not only a senior thesis but also qualifying oral exams at the end of 3rd year (which can cover material from any course the student took in the preceding years). The Reed requirements are for ALL students, not just “honors”. But Reed’s program does not include examination by outside scholars, and it has been a somewhat less selective school than Swarthmore. If you really really like Swarthmore but it’s a high reach for you, Reed College might be a good low reach.</p>
<p>I think Chicago could be said to rival Swat for academic quality and intensity, and for the atmospherics interesteddad describes. It has the advantage of first-rate graduate programs in many fields, but not a Swarthmore-style honors program. While not large by university standards, it has a much bigger campus and student body than Swarthmore’s (small being good for liberal arts undergraduates, in my book.)</p>
<p>Then there is interesteddad’s alma mater, which also integrates Oxford-style tutorials into its programs.
[Williams</a> College Tutorial Program](<a href=“Williams College”>Williams College)</p>