Swat vs Wes vs Midd vs WashU

<p>Hi everyone! </p>

<p>I am interested in International Studies (or Political Science concentrating on international relations) or Anthropology, particularly with a focus on Latin America. Although I'm entirely down to have philosophical or political discussions into the late hours of the night, I am scared I may not be quite nerdy enough for Swarthmore. I'm Latina and love the culture, so I like to see strong diversity and active clubs that hold events like Carnaval at WashU. I'm also very liberal, but don't mind hearing and discussing other people's views.</p>

<p>I'm most attracted to:
- Midd's great International studies and languages, how friendly everyone I met was there, and how other people share my interest in other cultures (despite not being the most diverse)
- WashU's diversity and greater options (in terms of classes, internships, community service) that a larger campus right inside St Louis provides,
- Swarthmore's academic strength and how many students it sends to great grad schools
- Wesleyan's hipstery liberals and campus culture </p>

<p>Regarding the social scene, although I won't be going out three times a weekend getting ****faced, I do want to have different options to enjoy myself each week without having to join a sorority. I had the most fun visiting Wesleyan, but that may have been good luck with the people I was hanging out with.</p>

<p>I have a half-scholarship at WashU's which is tempting, but my parents say it's not a problem if I choose one of the others since they are fans of liberal arts schools. </p>

<p>I've never written one of these before and I hope I've given enough information. Any insight is appreciated, and let me know what else I should be considering! Thanks in advance :)</p>

<p>The decision with WashU should be looked at whether you want to go to an LAC or a larger school.</p>

<p>As for comparing between LACs, Swarthmore has all the things you’re looking for.</p>

<h1>1 DIVERSITY</h1>

<p>Swarthmore is the most diverse of the schools you list. </p>

<p>According to forbed.com, Swarthmore:</p>

<p>Enrollment by Race/Ethnicity
American Indian or Alaskan native
1.0%
Asian/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
16.0%
Black or African American
10.0%
Hispanic/Latino
11.0%
White
45.0%
Race/Ethnicity Unknown
11.0%
Non-Resident Alien/International (and growing continuously)
7.0%</p>

<p>Wesleyan:
American Indian or Alaskan native
1.0%
Asian/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
9.0%
Black or African American
7.0%
Hispanic/Latino
8.0%
White
57.0%
Race/Ethnicity Unknown
10.0%
Non-Resident Alien
8.0%</p>

<p>Middlebury:
Asian/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
9.0%
Black or African American
4.0%
Hispanic/Latino
5.0%
White
64.0%
Race/Ethnicity Unknown
6.0%
Non-Resident Alien
11.0%</p>

<p>The minority groups and the inter-cultural center a very visible on campus, each having a numerous events that are well attended (Latino Heritage month, Black History month, APIA month, international week). Their respective events and parties are also all very popular. For example, the HAN (Korean group) BBQ, the Deshi (South Asian group) dinner and the International Student Dinners are some of the most popular events of the year. SAO’s traffic light party, SASS, i20 and Enlace’s parties are known as some of the best parties on campus.</p>

<h1>2 INTERNATIONAL STUDIES</h1>

<p>Swarthmore has been voted as one of the best schools to pursue international studies.
[Swarthmore</a> College | Swarthmore Among Top Schools for International Relations](<a href=“http://www.swarthmore.edu/news-and-events/news-archive-2006-2007/swarthmore-among-top-schools-for-international-relations.xml]Swarthmore”>Swarthmore Among Top Schools for International Relations :: News Archive 2006 - 2007 :: Swarthmore College)
Although there isn’t an “international studies” major, the coursework available at Swarthmore is unique for its size. Also, you have the possibility of taking classes in Haverford, Bryn Mawr and Upenn.</p>

<h1>3 LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES</h1>

<p>Latin American studies is amazing at Swarthmore. Some of the best professors here, such as Ken Sharpe, Aurora Camacho de Schmidt, Luciano Martinez, are all in this program. It is also an expanding program as we are increasingly including Latino studies as well. Haverford and Bryn Mawr also have some gems in terms of Latin American studies, such as Anita Isaacs, if you want to take classes there. The professors in the program, particularly the Spanish department, are very involved with the student body, especially Latino students. They co-coordinate events together, bring speakers on campus, and regularly interact, whether one is taking a class with them or not.</p>

<h1>4 GREATER OPTIONS</h1>

<p>Among the LACs you listed, Swarthmore probably offers the most options. As mentioned before, you can take classes in Upenn, Haverford or Bryn Mawr. Although the commute can be annoying, it’s only about 20 minutes. However, most students don’t even feel the need to take classes elsewhere because of the availability of classes on campus. Swarthmore also has the greatest funding per student, with lots of available funding for summer research, networking, and particularly social action-oriented programs through the Lang Center.</p>

<h1>5 HIPSTERS</h1>

<p>Wesleyan probably has a greater proportion of them, but hipsters are everywhere on campus. Have you actually set foot at Swarthmore? We’re trying to set up a hipster quota and everything.</p>

<p>[New</a> Hipster Quota has Support of Campus Hipsters | Daily Gazette](<a href=“daily.swarthmore.edu domain has changed”>daily.swarthmore.edu domain has changed)</p>

<h1>6 ACADEMIC STRENGTH</h1>

<p>Swarthmore classes are amazing. Especially the honors program. You will be stressed. But you will learn like you’ve never learned before and you will love it.</p>

<p>That said, Swarthmore is not for everyone and you should definitely get a feel of the school before coming. Visit the school again if you can. Contact people who would be your peers, 2016ers. Contact older students. Contact alums. Contact professors whose classes you might be interested in taking next year. In the end, you have amazing options and you can’t go wrong. Just go to a place that fits you the best.</p>

<h1>7 NERDS</h1>

<p>Everyone at Swat is a nerd, in the broad sense. Some people like LARPing. Some people like geeking out and having intense philosophical conversations on big societal issues. Some people like playing drinking games involving their honors seminar. Some people just know too much specific information about Dominican baseball. That said, it’s never jarring, at least in my experience. What I feel mostly at Swat is that you can comfortably geek out without it being an issue, but it doesn’t have to be your life. My favorite part of Swarthmore is being able to have completely idiotic and childish conversations with smart people, the same people I have my intense intellectual conversations. The best thing about here is the people, and the nerdiness is not really alienating. Almost everybody is nice and open-minded, which is the most important.</p>

<p>I wrote this post my freshman year:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/swarthmore/612928-review-social-life-swarthmore-current-freshman.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/swarthmore/612928-review-social-life-swarthmore-current-freshman.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Hopefully it gives you some idea of what you’d be getting into.</p>