<p>would transfering from amherst to swat be a bad idea?</p>
<p>Care to share why are you thinking of leaving Amherst?</p>
<p>Amherst doesn't seem to be that intelectually stimulating.</p>
<p>It would probably be wise to visit, attend some classes, spend a night in the dorm, etc. You are the only one who can decide if the difference in the environment will be worth transferring.</p>
<p>I have visited. The only thing about swarthmore that I worry about is its reputation as being all work and no play.</p>
<p>That reputation is unjustified. There is plenty of work, and plenty of play.</p>
<p>i'm sure that's true. How is the intellectual stimulation both in and out of class</p>
<p>while you may just not like amherst, and thats fine, i wouldn't delude yourself into thinking that swarthmore is going to be "more intellectually stimulating." Both schools students are equally smart, and both schools faculty are equally distinguished. I'm sure the academic experience you're currently receiving at amherst is likely to be the same - or at least strikingly similar - as what you'll receive at swarthmore.</p>
<p>There is plenty available both in and out of class, but "in" will depend to some degree on the classes you choose, and "out" will depend greatly on the people you choose to hang out with. </p>
<p>If you are looking for intellectual atmosphere, you can definitely find it at Swarthmore. But I would expect you to be able to find it at Amherst as well. These two schools aren't supposed to be that different (though I have no personal knowledge about Amherst). So if you are unhappy at Amherst to the point of transferring, you really have to make sure that Swarthmore can offer you the things you are looking for...</p>
<p>From what I've heard about Amherst, there are many more kids who, while very smart, choose to do almost no work than at Swarthmore. So, if what you mean by "intellectual" is a student body that cares deeply about academics, Swarthmore might be an improvement- but if you're worried about "all work, no play," then is that really what you want? In any case, that's based on rumors and reports from friends, not first-hand experience. As someone said above, the students at Swarthmore won't be naturally any "smarter" than at Amherst, just maybe a little more intense.</p>
<p>i think swat is great and swat was my first choice and i am so thoroughly enjoying my first couple of weeks here that i can't even express it properly, however, you didn't indicate if you just started or if this is your second year. if you just started i would just sit tight and you will fall into the group you will be comfortable with. i really don't think we're any more intellectual than amherst, it's just that we put a little less emphasis on sports and plow that extra time we save into more thought provoking discussion and occasionally making out (although i am hoping to de-emphasize the discussion part and get everyone more involved in the latter.)</p>
<p>Don't know how you could say Amherst is intellectually stimulating (or especially how you could have said it after 3 days of classes)--- if you are taking classes at an appropriate level, they will be. It's as intellectually stimulating as you make it. If you don't think you receive enough stimulation, seek it out. Join debate team. Read some books. Talk with your profs.</p>