<p>^^</p>
<p>Wow, thank you ncram65! I will definitely buy the book.</p>
<p>I find this topic rather interesting as S2 from the day he was born, was always going to be a Lord Jeff. His grandfather and namesake was an Amherst man, and by God, his grandson was going to also be an Amherst man. As Amherst's basketball team improved year after year, I thought it would be a done deal. However, S2 found and fell in love with Swarthmore. He loved everything about it. I am sure dad is shaking his head in Heaven, but his namesake will be a Garnet, not a Lord Jeff. Just thought this would lighten up the tread.</p>
<p>Here's another way of looking at the difference: Amherst grads more likely to become investment bankers or corporate lawyers, Swathmore grads more likely to become law professor, writers, honhcos in public interest orgs.</p>
<p>I know a lot of grads from both places and the difference can be found in the types of people who want to go there plus the different influences each school has on its students.</p>
<p>Swarthmore people generally are less "conventional" than Amherst or Williams folks and that's not a negative... just the way it is. We need conventional people in this world so the others, who think differently, will stand out and make the big changes the world needs.</p>
<p>investment bankers ???</p>
<p>At Lehman Brothers, maybe? I think the demand for investment bankers may be somewhat depressed for a while.</p>
<p>I'm talking about types of people. Plus, till this year, I'm sure many Amherst folks were heading straight to Wall St. Probably B school now.</p>
<p>Oh please, SwatGrad. My D is heading to Amherst and has absolutely no interest or aptitude for business/Ibanking/etc. Even your tone (yes implied) confirms my observation of Swat students as high-brow and intimidating. </p>
<p>"Less conventional" - please! While we are all making generalizations here in comparison between the two schools, your's are the most absurd and limiting that I've read yet.</p>
<p>Dear she's on her way:</p>
<p>Since I know hundreds of Swarthmore people and dozens of Amherst people, I dare say I know a bit more about this topic than you. My former agent went to Amherst as did my next door neighbor growing up so I have a basis for my comments. </p>
<p>I'm thrilled for your daughter going to Amherst and I'm sure she'll have a grand time. But please try not to take all this so personally. The last time I checked, freedom of speech still reigns in the country and I resent being censored by people with axes to grind.</p>
<p>She'sOnHerWay, your daughter will have company. My son is already there and he has zero interest in banking, finance, business. As of the last update he's inclining toward a major in philosophy, religion, and/or American studies. He's very happy there and seems to have found his own happy band of bright, idiosyncratic buddies.</p>
<p>SwatGrad - "dozens of Amherst people" does not warrant such a gross, confining generalization on your part. While my daughter is not interested in math, my math skills are quite refined and your sample size does not represent sufficient numbers to make such sweeping statements regarding career choice. Yes, please, speak your mind. But be mindful of who you may be offending with your bold statements.</p>
<p>Dear Shes on her way</p>
<p>This entire message Board is filled with, what might be construed by anyone with an ounce of sensitivity, "offending" or "offensive" comments. It's hard to believe anyone who logs onto this place could be aggrieved by an innocent posting stating what many actually believe. Obviously, not everyone fits into the stereotypes, but that does not negate the existence of said stereotypes. </p>
<p>I was once a conventional NY corporate attorney, now I am an arguably unconventional screenwriter living in Hollywood. I do attribute my Swarthmore education in part for giving me the courage and wherewithal to chuck my legal career for the vast unknown out here. That's all I'm saying. </p>
<p>Even more anecdotally, I don't know a single writer who went to Amherst. Many from Swarthmore. Tons more from Wesleyan. Make of this what you will or completely disregard.</p>
<p>ShesOnHerWay:</p>
<p>There's no need to be offended by what SwatGrad is saying. SwatGrad has told you that a greater proportion of Amherst graduates go on to jobs like investment banking than of Swat grads and that Swatties tend to be more into what SwatGrad sees as 'less conventional' careers. SwatGrad hasn't backed it up with statistics, but that's the feel that he/she has gotten based on his/her familiarity with some Swat and Amherst alums. It doesn't mean that all Amherst grads go into business and all Swats found NGO's. </p>
<p>I don't quite get how you can remark such a generalization as offensive but not interesteddad's Football--> Amherst, debate--> Swat generalization.</p>
<p>Oh, I have issues with interesteddad's posts too. But he has many more posts/experience with this board compared to SwatGrad's 22 posts. I guess my point is that I would never say "all x students are something". However, saying that "in my experience from the people that I have met and talked with....." shows less generalization and more focused evaluation. </p>
<p>I spent an entire day (whoohoo a whole day!) at Swat and the students/faculty/administration that I met were generally haughty and standoffish. I would never assume that most Swatties were similar; I simply don't have the experience to make such a sweeping generalizations.</p>
<p>ShesOnHerWay,
Thank you for not putting all Swatties into the "generally haughty and standoffish" category. My recent grad son couldn't be farther from that description. Shy and adorable, yes? Haughty and standoffish? Uh, no. ;)</p>
<p>Stating that everyone you met at Swarthmore was "haughty and standoffish" is more revealing of your own insecurities than anything about Swarthmore, its administrators, faculty or students. If I cared, I might actually be offended at that sweeping generalization.</p>
<p>SwatGrad says: "Even more anecdotally, I don't know a single writer who went to Amherst."</p>
<p>Rafael Campo
Dan Brown
Richard Wilbur
James Merrill
Chris Bohjalian
William McFeely
John Dower
Ted Conover
Calvin Baker
David Foster Wallace
Scott Turow
Harlan Coben
Robert Frost</p>
<p>...I could go on and on.</p>
<p>It would appear that what she doesn't know could fill books!</p>
<p>HOPDad, I was tempted to do exactly that... but decided it wasn't worth the minimal effort required. ;) But thank you for stepping up.</p>
<p>to the OP (Plainsman): as a current Wesleyan student who had Amherst and Swarthmore very high on my list (but I wound up doing ED at Wes), I found Amherst and Swarthmore very similar. sure, alums/current students of each will draw out the minute differences, but I think many of those differences are anecdotal.</p>
<p>college is what you make of it, and who you surround yourself with. both schools have wonderful people and wonderful academics, and your kid will be happy at either place. the only difference I could really find was that Amherst places a slightly greater emphasis on athletics (which I liked), but you could avoid that scene at either place if you wanted. both have schools nearby (A- 5 coll consort. and S- haverford and bryn mawr) and both are similar size. I would see where the acceptance letters come from and go from there (assuming senior?) if not, I'd apply to both- they're great!</p>
<p>HOPDad, I almost did the same thing as well. It's amazing what a little college pride will do to you, and my kid has merely only applied!</p>
<p>Go Amherst!!! You're the best in all regards!!</p>
<p>No one said that, Swat. That's kind of a leap, even for a writer who perhaps makes a living on creating the stereotypes we see so much of on the large and small screen. I think it was mostly just a correction because It was you who said you didn't know one writer who had graduated from Amherst. Not that anyone was out to embarrass you per say, but the responses were intended to correct what was a complete falsehood.</p>
<p>Personally, I would like the location of Swarthmore more so than Amherst and know two kids who are completely happy there. Amherst was just slightly bigger bubble (when you're talking small bubbles) and well, my kid likes football. Had you posted this on the Swarthmore board (and I have not read that one), I am sure there would be far more agreement with you.</p>