Swarthmore College
Swarthmore College overview
Swarthmore College is a prestigious private liberal arts college in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia. Members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) founded it in 1864 as a co-educational institution. The college is known for its rigorous academic programs, its strong commitment to social responsibility, and its close-knit community. Swarthmore belongs to the Tri-College Consortium with Bryn Mawr College and Haverford College, so you can take courses at any of the three institutions.
A long-standing partnership with the University of Pennsylvania also lets you cross-register for courses there.
Swarthmore offers more than 40 majors and minors across fields including humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. The college puts a strong focus on undergraduate research, and students often work with faculty members on projects and publications. The student-to-faculty ratio is about 8:1, which makes for a close and supportive learning environment. The college is known for its beautiful 425-acre campus, which includes the Scott Arboretum, a collection of thousands of plant species from around the world.
Swarthmore's campus also holds state-of-the-art academic facilities, modern residence halls, and a range of recreational spaces. Swarthmore is highly selective and admits only a small percentage of applicants each year. Admitted students usually have strong academic backgrounds and a demonstrated commitment to intellectual curiosity and social responsibility. The college commits to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for every admitted student, and it offers a generous financial aid program.
About Swarthmore College
Swarthmore College is a prestigious private liberal arts college in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia. Members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) founded it in 1864 as a co-educational institution. The college is known for its rigorous academic programs, its strong commitment to social responsibility, and its close-knit community. Swarthmore belongs to the Tri-College Consortium with Bryn Mawr College and Haverford College, so you can take courses at any of the three institutions.
A long-standing partnership with the University of Pennsylvania also lets you cross-register for courses there.
Swarthmore offers more than 40 majors and minors across fields including humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. The college puts a strong focus on undergraduate research, and students often work with faculty members on projects and publications. The student-to-faculty ratio is about 8:1, which makes for a close and supportive learning environment. The college is known for its beautiful 425-acre campus, which includes the Scott Arboretum, a collection of thousands of plant species from around the world.
Swarthmore's campus also holds state-of-the-art academic facilities, modern residence halls, and a range of recreational spaces. Swarthmore is highly selective and admits only a small percentage of applicants each year. Admitted students usually have strong academic backgrounds and a demonstrated commitment to intellectual curiosity and social responsibility. The college commits to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for every admitted student, and it offers a generous financial aid program.
Swarthmore College faculties and programs
Neuroscience
Sociology and Anthropology
Art
Philosophy, Politics and Economics
Classics
Arabic
Art History
Asian American Studies
Asian Studies
Physics and Astronomy
Swarthmore College scholarships and financial aid
Swarthmore College offers financial aid to international students in the form of need-based scholarships. For international students the college follows a need-aware admission policy, so your financial need may be considered in the admission decision. However, if you are admitted to Swarthmore College and demonstrate financial need, the college commits to meeting 100% of your demonstrated need. To be considered for need-based financial aid, you must submit the CSS Profile during the application process.
This information helps the college assess your family's financial situation and calculate the amount of aid needed. Financial aid packages at Swarthmore College typically consist of grants and scholarships that you do not repay. They may also include a work-study component, which gives you the chance to work part-time on campus.
Swarthmore College Exam Requirements
Submitting at least one of the exams below with the required score is a prerequisite for application. The score threshold may vary by program.
How to get into Swarthmore College
If you are an international student applying to an undergraduate program at Swarthmore College, you must meet the admission requirements below.
- Completion of 12 Years of Basic Education
- 4-Year High School Diploma
- High Grade Point Average
- Official transcripts of the courses you took in 11th and 12th grade
- Standardized Test Scores (SAT or ACT)
- Certificate in English Proficiency
- A certificate in English proficiency from an internationally recognized proficiency test such as IELTS Academic or TOEFL iBT.
- Personal Statement & Essay
Please note that although qualifications from programs such as GCE A-Level, International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement are not sufficient for direct admission, you can still request course credits in line with the courses you have taken if you study within one of these programs.
If you are an international student applying to a graduate program at Swarthmore College, you must meet the admission requirements below.
- 4-Year Bachelor's Degree Diploma
- High Grade Point Average
- Official transcripts of the courses you took during your college/university education
- Work experience may be required for certain programs
- Certificate in English Proficiency
- A certificate in English proficiency from an internationally recognized proficiency test such as IELTS Academic or TOEFL iBT.
- A GRE/GMAT exam score may be required, in line with the specific admission requirements of certain programs.
Application Deadlines
* These dates are subject to change. Get in touch with our Dream Uni advisors to learn the up-to-date deadlines and all the details about the Swarthmore College application process.
Take a closer look at Swarthmore College
Swarthmore College's campus is known for its picturesque beauty and impressive architecture. It sits on 425 acres in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia. The campus brings together academic buildings, residence halls, and recreational spaces in a green, tree-filled setting. One standout feature is the Scott Arboretum, which covers most of the college's grounds. Established in 1929, the arboretum holds an extensive collection of plants and trees, with more than 4,000 varieties from around the world.
It works as a living laboratory for students and faculty, and as a quiet place for reflection and relaxation.
The college's academic buildings are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for a range of disciplines, including science labs, art studios, and performance spaces. The libraries on campus, such as McCabe Library and the Cornell Science & Engineering Library, offer extensive resources and study spaces for students. Residence halls at Swarthmore are designed to foster a sense of community, and they include both traditional dormitories and apartment-style living options.
Many residence halls are organized into living-learning communities, where students with shared interests live together and take part in thematic programming.
Recreational facilities on campus include the Matchbox, a fitness and wellness center; the Mullan Tennis Center, which houses indoor and outdoor tennis courts; and the Ware Pool, an indoor aquatic facility. The Crum Woods, a 200-acre woodland next to the campus, offers walking trails and opportunities for outdoor education and research. Swarthmore College's campus is not only beautiful but also designed to support the academic, social, and recreational needs of its students.
The college's commitment to sustainability shows in green initiatives such as energy-efficient buildings, sustainable landscaping, and waste reduction programs.
Campus life at Swarthmore College is shaped by a close-knit community, intellectual curiosity, and a strong commitment to social responsibility. The college is relatively small, with about 1,700 undergraduate students, so you can build strong ties with peers and faculty members. Student life at Swarthmore is diverse and lively, with over 100 student-run clubs and organizations covering a wide range of interests. These clubs include cultural, artistic, political, academic, and recreational groups, as well as community service organizations.
The college encourages you to take part in activities that match your own interests and passions.
Swarthmore is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse community. The Intercultural Center (IC) and the Women's Resource Center (WRC) are two campus resources that promote dialogue and engagement around identity, culture, and social justice. The college also hosts various cultural events and celebrations through the year. Examples include the International Students' Cultural Show and the annual Genderfuck party, which challenges traditional gender norms.
Greek life is not a significant part of campus culture, since the college banned fraternities and sororities in the early 2000s. The emphasis falls instead on an inclusive social atmosphere built through campus-wide events and programming.
The college's place in the Philadelphia metropolitan area gives you access to a wealth of cultural, historical, and recreational opportunities. You can reach Philadelphia easily by public transportation to visit museums, attend concerts, or explore the city's diverse dining scene. Swarthmore's Division III athletic program offers a range of varsity sports, club sports, and intramural activities if you want to stay active or compete. The college is a member of the Centennial Conference, which stresses the balance between academics and athletics.
Student life at Swarthmore College is marked by a strong sense of community, intellectual engagement, and a commitment to social responsibility. The college offers a wide array of ways to follow your interests, develop your skills, and engage with the broader community on and off campus.
Swarthmore College has produced notable alumni across many fields. Some of its most well-known and accomplished graduates include:
- A. Mitchell Palmer
- Alexandra Grant
- Alice Paul
- Ben Brantley
- Beth Littleford
- Carl Levin
- Carol Gilligan
- Chris Van Hollen
- Christian B. Anfinsen
- Christiana Figueres
- Christina Paxson
- Clark Kerr
- David Baltimore
- David K. Lewis
- David Malone
- Diane di Prima
- Eben Moglen
- Edward C. Prescott
- Elizabeth S. Anderson
- Eugene Lang
- Frank Easterbrook
- Gerard K. O'Neill
- Howard Martin Temin
- Iqbal Quadir
- James A. Michener
- Jane S. Richardson
- Jed S. Rakoff
- John C. Mather
- John Hopfield
- Jonathan Franzen
- Josef Joffe
- Kenneth Turan
- Kevin Hassett
- Kurt Eichenwald
- Lulu Miller
- Malcolm Browne
- Mark Vonnegut
- Marshall Curry
- Michael Dukakis
- Neil Gershenfeld
- Njideka Akunyili Crosby
- Patrick Awuah
- Peter Schickele
- Robert B. Zoellick
- Robert D. Putnam
- Robert P. George
- Rudy Rucker
- Sally Ride
- Stephen Lang
- Takuji Aida
- Ted Nelson
Swarthmore College awards and achievements
- 5 Nobel Laureates (Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Medicine, Economics, Physics)
- 13 MacArthur Fellows
- 1 Academy Award Winner
- 1 Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient
- 1 Medal of Merit Recipient
Swarthmore College Frequently Asked Questions
Swarthmore College Location
Swarthmore, United States
Swarthmore College Contact
How to Get Into Swarthmore College
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Why Swarthmore College?
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