<p>What makes swathermore distinct? Is Phi Beta Kappa really an advantage?</p>
<p>How is the surrounding area and students?</p>
<p>While generally acknowledged to be among the top 3 SLAC’s in the U.S., Swarthmore is in its own niche. Rigorous, highly intellectual; students are very academically and socially/politically engaged. Ranks in top two colleges for graduates going on to obtain PhD’s, highest per capita number of nobel prize winners of any undergraduate college/university in the country. Although Swat has some very solid teams, athletics is a minimal part of Swat culture (as opposed to Williams or Stanford). Also, a stunningly beautiful campus. Phi Beta Kappa is a national society with chapters at most all colleges and universities, so not sure about that part of your question: students have already been accepted to graduate/professional school or their first job before PBK is even awarded, so little to no impact on future success.</p>
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<p>Swarthmore is also famous for its incredible workload. I have a friend who had twin daughters–one at Yale, one at Swarthmore. The Yalie laughed at her Swattie sister, saying, “Oh my god! You have WAY too much work!” I think Swat is famous for having much quirkier students, too (as opposed to the other member of its cohort, Williams and Amherst).</p>
<p>Just make sure you spell the name correctly when you apply! It’s SWATHMORE.</p>
<p>No, it’s SWARTHMORE</p>
<p>Ha–I didn’t even notice I had done that–serves me right for posting without my reading glasses on!</p>
<p>Although former President Al Bloom always pronounced it “Swathmore,” so the missing “R” is understandable.</p>
<p>On the subject of Phi Beta Kappa, most top colleges and universities have a PBK chapter, but that is not universally true for all colleges and universities. The college must apply to PBK for a charter and have enough faculty members with PBK. If you are looking at mid to top level colleges and universities, a school that does not have a PBK would be a real question mark, IMHO.</p>
<p>It’s my understanding that at most colleges and universities, Phi Beta Kappa is awarded to the top ~10% of the graduating class. At Swarthmore, I think it is more like the top ~15%. In the past, this has meant a GPA (which, of course, Swarthmore does not generally calculate officially) of 3.8 or higher.</p>
<p>Swarthmore’s Honors Program also distinguishes it from its peers. [Swarthmore</a> College | Academics | The Honors Program from 1997 to the present](<a href=“http://www.swarthmore.edu/x1163.xml]Swarthmore”>http://www.swarthmore.edu/x1163.xml)</p>
<p>Endicott-I think the college has made an effort to move away somewhat from the “quirkier” image. I have an '07 grad who was pretty darn quirky, and a current '14 who is as “normal” as they come. I’m not just basing my answer on my kids, but rather what I’ve observed on campus as well as the friends of my kids I’ve met. But the previous comments about the highly intellectual student body and the workload still seem accurate.</p>
<p>Agree that Swat is not quirky, unless one defines “quirky” as a school where not all graduates go in to investment banking.</p>
<p>^^^^LOL Dad2. :D</p>
<p>From what I’ve heard from my peers, a lot of Swarthmore students had few friends in high school, or spent most of their time studying alone. But, they don’t lack social skills; even the most socially awkward people manage to feel comfortable with themselves. I’ve heard stories of shy high school dorks coming to Swarthmore and opening up for the first time, becoming more mature and confident. That narrative is true in my experience, and my friends’ experiences.</p>
<p>I see plenty of athletes every day, but they keep their sports culture to themselves. Swatties are extremely diverse, but we all love having intellectual conversations. That’s the only trait that I can definitely say we all share.</p>
<p>I’m class of '14, and I think the quirk factor is still valued in admissions, just not to as much of an extreme as before. Normal-er quirky people? ;)</p>
<p>My precious little Swattie sees plenty of quirky people (the top hat guy?), but I think that’s made him become much more conservative–sartorially, anyway! One of his friends just spent a semester at Pomona and said it was great because it was sunny, the people were mellow and happy, the professors were mellow and happy, but that there was nothing like the intensity and fullness of a Swarthmore class.</p>
<p>I was a Haverford student, and what made Swarthmore different was largely the student body and the “Honors Program.”</p>
<p>Although Haverford has many quirky students (even our own top-hat guy, ha! it’s a small world), the archetypal Swarthmore student is notably even more quirky. Depending on you (or whoever is applying), this may or may not be a better fit than other colleges. Visit and see, and talk to as many people as possible. You’ll notice it eventually.</p>
<p>The “Honors Program” is definitely a unique opportunity for Swat students. However, depending on whose side you’re on, it may or may not be ideal. The “Haverford Quaker” perspective would be that every enrolled student is at the same level and is expected to achieve the same level of excellence, including a quality senior research thesis or project. Swarthmore takes a different approach, and it’s really up to the individual to decide what he or she prefers (assuming that option is available).</p>
<p>Also, I must say it’s a bit saddening to hear Swat being in the same cohort as Williams or Amherst. The Tri-Co is definitely not an Ivy safety like the reputation of some of its peers. And it has the same academic rigor, if not better. The people who study in the Philly suburbs do so because they thirst for knowledge and ideas, and are not lost in a questionable image of prestige and eliteness.</p>
<p>With regard to senior comprehensives–i.e. HC/BMC’s required across-the-board senior thesis–I’d like to expand upon Swarthmore’s “different approach.” Inevitably, if you require everyone to write a thesis–the specific example cited here was actually Reed, which has a reputation for academic intensity that rivals Swarthmore’s–some people will write a very good thesis and some people will write what is, honestly, not a very good thesis. Is it a valuable experience for the student him/herself, for the fellow students in a thesis prep/discussion seminar, and for the professor/advisor, to grudgingly produce a <em>barely adequate</em> undergraduate thesis? Or would it be more valuable for the faculty to advise only those students who are personally invested in writing a thesis? This is an academic argument that has no real answer, and even at Swarthmore some departments do believe very strongly in requiring a thesis of all majors (I’m majoring in one of those departments myself).</p>
<p>Swat is, indeed, in its own niche, apart from Williams and Amherst. That said, W and A are not ivy “safeties”, but rather LAC alternatives to the undergraduate programs at HYP, i.e. for those equally talented students who seek an undergraduate emphasis, rather than large classes taught by TA’s/junior faculty at research universities.</p>