<p>Hi fleishmo,
I’m glad you enjoyed your visit! but some things that I kind of want to say…first, housing is not guaranteed for all for years, and people do steal things on campus (but most don’t!). And unfortunately the bell tower doesn’t really ring much. In fact, it hasn’t been ringing for a long time, except recently it has starting ringing, ie when parents and students visit for large events 
Just wanted to clear things up…Swat, for me, is a really nice place to learn and spend 4 years.</p>
<p>Swarthmore most certainly does guarantee college housing to all students who want it (and who are in good standing – i.e. bills paid – at the time of housing lottery). There have been years where they have gone to great lengths to provide student housing. 2002-2003 before New Dorm was completed was a major thrash to find housing because study abroad numbers were down following. On average, about 95% of Swarthmore students live in college housing.</p>
<p>Murmillo
I realize things get stolen,it is the real world.It was just nice to see that the students were not so worried about guarding their possessions that they were afraid to put them down.Both the tour guide and info session stated that housing was guaranteed for all 4 years. Believe me I am not trying to argue with you. I was just posting how enjoyable our visit was and how for my son it seems like a nice place to spend your college days.Obviously there are warts etc but compared to most of the campuses that we have been to it is difficult to put many ahead of Swarthmore. Thanks for your insight.</p>
<p>Suggestion: Have your son write some of his positive observations on this point in his “Why Swarthmore” essay and say how they reflect Quaker values. From what I’ve seen, that “Why Swarthmore” essay is really important.</p>
<p>endi
thanks for the advice
seems like a good starting point</p>
<p>Oh, minor mistake–I meant on-campus housing isn’t guaranteed. But yes, housing for all four years is guaranteed. Sorry for that!</p>
<p>^ yes, but Swarthmore’s “off-campus” housing is closer than “on-campus” housing at most schools. The worst you can get is ML, and it is 15 min waling distance.</p>
<p>nngmm,
My S lived in ML one year and said that ML was a 7 minute walk to the main campus for him. I’ve raised fast walkers! 
YMMV</p>