Swarthmore - Pictures

Swarthmore - Basic Information

Swarthmore, PA
Ranked #3 - National Liberal Arts Colleges (US News)

Total undergrad enrollment: 1,525

48% male/52% female

Application deadline - Jan. 2
Early decision deadline - Nov. 15
Application fee: $60

Acceptance rate: 17.4%
Early decision acceptance rate: 33%

Range SAT Critical Reading: 680-780
Range SAT Math: 680-760
Range SAT Writing: 680-760
Range ACT Composite: 27-33

Required standardized tests: either SAT or ACT
Admissions interview: recommended
SAT subject tests: 2
Common App
Tuition and fees: $39,600
Room and board: $11,900

11.8% in fraternities

Most popular majors: biological and biomedical sciences, foreign languages, psychology, social sciences, and visual and performing arts

Average freshman retention rate: 97%

NCAA III

Swarthmore - PROS

Academics

• Almost half of students study abroad
• Students can also take courses from Bryn Mawr and Haverford
• Honors program - features small groups of students working closely with faculty and peers, emphasis on independent learning
• Semester exchange program includes Harvey Mudd, Middlebury, Mills, Pomona, Rice, and Tufts
• Student-faculty ratio - 8:1
• 80% of classes have fewer than 20 students
• Not super competitive academic climate
• Swarthmore professors also serve as advisors
• Requirements are very limited
• Great professors
• Award-winning science center

Student Life

• 95% of students live on campus
• Has many unique traditions
• Beautiful campus
• Philadelphia - accessible (half an hour away)
• Hiking trails
• Low cost of living
• More than 100 student clubs and organizations

Swarthmore - CONS

• Not the greatest town, not much to do there
• Can feel too small
• Food plan
• Dorms can be small
• Swimming test
• Biggest complaints include lack of sleep and too much work