This is a wonderfully comprehensive "Survival Guide" written by Saed Atshan '06. Since it's so long and covers many different areas of Swat life, use Ctrl+F (or the Mac equivalent) to type in whatever you're looking for --- below are the section headings to guide you in your search.
Little things have been added or changed to Saed's original; and we're always looking for people to spot bits that are no longer true, or even new sections you feel should be here.
Happy browsing!

Part I: Academics

Requirements
Registration
Seminars
Support & Resources
Libraries
Computers
Non-Swat Classes


Part II: Social/Residential Life
Interesting Sites & Places
Clubs/Organizations
Internationals @ Swat
Housing
Food/Dining
Fine Arts
Athletics
Parties
Traditions
Religion
Finances
Transportation/Surroundings
Weather


Part I: Academics

A. Requirements
- You need to have 32 credits in order to graduate. Most classes are equivalent to one credit. This is very different than most colleges. Some classes are ½ credit (such as German conversation), and others are 2 credits (such as an honors seminar). Thus, most students (on average) complete about 8 semester’s worth of coursework, and about 4 classes per semester. This amounts to (on average) 4 years until graduation.
- As a liberal arts college, Swat requires that you have a broad range of coursework. Thus, you must take at least 3 classes in each of the 3 divisions (natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities). Also keep in mind that you must have at least 20 credits outside of your major.
- You must complete 4 physical education credits. Each credit is comprised of some sort of ½ semester P.E. class/activity. Also, you must be able to swim. A swimming test will be administered during first-year orientation. If you do not pass the test, then you must complete the aquatics course and that counts towards one of your P.E. credits.
- You must submit your sophomore paper during your sophomore year. In it, you declare your major/minor/concentration(s) and your intended plan of study. Also, you then apply for the honors program if you choose to do so.


B. Registration
- During first-year orientation, you will be given a  course catalog. You will also meet your academic advisor. It used to be that registration took place in Sharples, but now it's all relatively painlessly done online. It's really simple, you just input your class numbers into the mySwarthmore system, and sit back and wait for the lottery results to come out about a week later.
 
- You are allowed to add/drop a course during the first two weeks of the semester. During that time, you must declare how you wish to be graded. You are allowed to change your course from "CR/NC" to a regular letter grade up until half-way through the semester. You should be receiving mailings throughout the summer with more specific information. If you have IB/AP credits, make sure that the scores are sent to the pertinent departments. Swat does not have a uniform transfer credit policy. Check with each individual department for specific requirements/procedures.
- Registrar, Martin Warner (Parrish), and Dean of Academics, Joy Charlton (Parrish), are more than happy to assist you with questions about academics/registration/credits.


C. Seminars
- First-year seminars: At many schools, introductory seminars are huge. At Swat, they try to make them as small as possible. Thus, they have designed these seminars that have about 12 students. You meet once a week and discuss readings/assignments. Many departments offer these seminars, including Mathematics.
- Honors seminars: These are a part of our honors program. Nearly 40% of Swatties decide to undertake honors their junior and senior year here. It is a program modeled after the Oxford University system. If you want to pursue your subject of study in depth, as opposed to breadth, then honors is right for you. They are 2 credits each and about 8 students meet once a week with their professor to discuss the material. It may take any where between 4-8 hours to get through the discussion, and many professors take students to their home or have dinner. To do honors, you must complete 3 seminars in your major, and one in your minor. 1 of your preparations must be done before the end of your junior year. At the culmination of your senior year, external examiners are invited to test (written and oral) honors students.


D. Support and Resources

- Deans: They are your best advocates! If you ever have any personal issues, the deans are a great resource and act as a liaison between you and your professors. Do not hesitate to approach them for help and advice.
- International Students Advisor: Gloria Evans will help you with any administrative and immigration issues.
- WA’s: WA’s are upperclassmen that are trained in academic writing. The Writing Center (in Trotter) is open for many hours. You can e-mail them papers or stop by (they always have cookies and milk). A WA revises it, meets with you to discuss it, then you can re-write your paper. Anyone can use this wonderful resource. Some classes have a assigned WA’s, so you must have a WA read your paper before you hand it in to the professor. You can get your own individual WA and seniors can even get their own thesis WA. We have the oldest WA program in the country!
- SAM’s: These are student academic mentors that are mainly upperclassmen trained in organizational skills and time management. Each dorm has its own SAM(s) and they help you balance your schedule and juggle your responsibilities. If you’d like, you can get your own personal SAM.
- Academic Advisor: You are assigned an advisor in your freshman year. This is a professor in a field you are interested in who is there to help you with any academic needs. It is very easy to change advisors for any reason, such as if you change your major.
- Residential Advisor (RA): Your R.A. should always be there for any type of support!
- Office Hours: All professors have weekly designated office hours where they are available and accessible to assist you. These may range from 1-8 hours a week. Also, you can schedule individual appointments if necessary.
- Clinics: Many departments have weekly clinics. For example, if you are doing a math problem set and get stuck on a question, you can go to the Math Clinic (Cornell) and get help.
-Pass/Fail: Your first semester entails no grades! Thus, you only receive a CR (credit) or NC (no credit) for each of your classes. The registrar does not keep a record of your "shadow grades". This helps students make all of the transitions and adjustments that they have to. Be wary: some departments do consider your "shadow grade" when reviewing your proposal to join them as a major. Make sure you know which departments do that (e.g. Biology, Political Science).
- Rankings: The college does not calculate rankings. Thus, you do not know if you are in the top 10% of your class or not.
- Study groups: Study sessions are organized by students all the time! Work with your peers and assist each other: it is extremely helpful.
- GPA: The college does not calculate a grade point average for students. This fosters a cooperative learning environment, as opposed to a competitive, cut-throat one.


E. Libraries
- McCabe: This is our largest library on campus. We have about 800,000 volumes here at Swat! The first floor is also a social center of campus. The bottom floor is meant to be very quiet.
- Cornell: This is our science/engineering library. That says it all!
- Underhill: This is our music library (Lang Concert Hall).
- Friends Historical Library: This is a Quaker collection of books. It is mainly on the first floor of Parrish.
- Beit Midrash: Jewish text study area (Lodge 5).
- BCC collection: This is our smallest collection of books (Black Cultural Center).


F. Computers
- McCabe: There is a Mac station on the first floor and a PC station on the third floor.
- Beardsley: There is a computer station on the bottom floor. Also, ITS (Information Technology Services) is housed there. They are very friendly and there is an IT person in every dorm. Make sure you bug them if you need help - that’s what they’re paid for!
- SCCS: Swarthmore College Computer Society (Tarble basement) and they also have a cool media lounge.
- Everywhere: There are nearly 200 computers/printers all over campus for student use. Even dorms have public computers and printers! If you choose to bring your own computer, you will have your own Ethernet connection in your room.


G. Non-Swat classes
- Swat has a consortium agreement with Haverford College, Bryn Mawr College, and the University of Pennsylvania. You can take classes, if feasible, at any of these institutions.
- There is a domestic exchange program with Pomona College (CA), Harvey Mudd College (CA), Middlebury College (VT), and Tufts University (MA).
- We have 5 overseas Swarthmore programs (often called "mini-Swats") in Ghana, Spain, France, Poland, and Japan.
- The study abroad office (Pearson) is affiliated with over 80 programs all over the world. About half the students study abroad for either a semester or a year at some point.



Part II: Social/Residential Life

A. Interesting Sites/Places
- Parrish Hall: This is the main building on campus. It is modeled after the Quaker tradition of having a whole bunch of different things under one roof. There are dorms, administrative offices, and classrooms.
- Parrish Beach: This is the grass space in front of Parrish. We like to pretend that we are on the shore. Thus, when it is nice outside, students sit on blankets or lawn chairs and study/chat. Also, students blast music, play frisbee, or take an afternoon nap.
- Sproul Observatory: There is a telescope on the top floor and there is a huge green dome on top of the building.
- Scott Arboretum: Swarthmore College is a nationally recognized arboretum. People come from all over the United States to look at the plants and trees we have here. Thus, all plants and trees are labeled. Do not forget about the beautiful rose garden near Parrish Circle!
- Scott Outdoor Amphitheater: This is a gorgeous, open space near the Wharton Dorm. Many events take place here including the initial ceremony for freshmen orientation, graduation, "Shakespeare in the Crum", etc.
- Crum Woods: 1/3 of the campus! It includes a hiking trail, biking trail, jogging route, and creek that runs along the side. Lots of trees!
- Science Center: This building was just finished in Spring 2004. It is environmentally friendly (water recycled), its windows will be bird-proof, there are boards on the outside walls for outdoor classes, and it has a coffee bar with couches for students to sleep on when needed!
- Willets: This is a dorm notorious for its dynamic social atmosphere.
- Lodges: These are right by Willets and there are six of them. Each is three stories high, with a bathroom and kitchen. Five friends get to live in each one!
- Benjamin West: Our visitor center and public safety house. You can call them to get shuttles to drive you to your dorm when it’s late out!
- Bookstore: Located on the bottom floor of Tarble. It has all the books you need for your classes, and it has other things, such as snacks, supplies, and Swarthmore memorabilia.


B. Clubs/Organizations
- There are over 100 student clubs and organizations on campus. Most of them are open to everyone. If you want to start your own club, all you need is two members and a proposal/charter, and you can get the funding to do so. For example, some students started a group called the "Knit Wits" or the knitting club.
- Publications: You can always read/write for the college newspaper, The Phoenix. There is also an on-line newspaper, The Daily Gazette. There is also a student website that is often helpful (Daily Jolt). Students can also publish in any of the college magazines, yearbook, or literary publications such as Ourstory.
- You can also participate in student government and run for student council elections after first semester. Also, students can apply to be on various committees.
- There are different cultural groups such as the Black Cultural Center (BCC), Swarthmore African Student Society (SASS), Deshi (South Asians), Students of Caribbean Ancestry (SOCA), International Club, etc.
- The Intercultural Center (IC) in Tarble houses the safe spaces on campus for different cultural groups. These are Enlace (Hispanics), Swarthmore Asian Organization (SAO), Native American Students’ Association (NASA), and Swarthmore Queer Union (SQA). Swatties use the word "queer" in reference to gay, lesbian, and bisexual students on campus- it does not embody a negative connotation here.
- There are political groups including: the Animal Rights Coalition, Students Against the Occupation (SATO), Young Democrats, Young Republicans, etc. We also have the Women’s Resource Center (WRC).
- There is a group originally called the Student Warders of Imaginative Literature (SWIL), now officially Psi Phi. Some of their members wear capes and enact fantasy novels around campus. They also host the annual Pterodactyl Hunt..... (you can ask more about that once you get here!)
Also, other students have their own radio shows on Swarthmore College’s radio station WSRN 91.5 FM.


C. Internationals @ Swat
- Nearly 11% of Swat is "international". This includes foreign students, dual citizens, and Americans living abroad.
- We have our own club, the International Club which meets on a weekly basis every Tuesday night in Sharples for dinner.
- The club has an executive board and two co-presidents. They, along with everyone else, organize social events for us and the rest of the community. For example, we have an annual dinner for faculty, a Valentine’s Day formal, International Club parties every semester, a Cultural Show, etc.
- Also, those who are interested can join the I-20 intramural soccer team.
- Mrs. Gloria Evans is the international student advisor.
- The international club is known for the warmth of its close-knit community and friendliness of its members. We hope to continue that tradition!


D. Housing
- You are guaranteed housing for all 4 years. You are required to live on campus for your first year, though 95% of students live on campus anyway. Thus, Swat is a residential community, and many profs live close by.
- You can not live in a single your first year. You may end up in a double, triple, or quad.
- Every dorm has its own personality and they try to match people accordingly.
- You get a room depending on your lottery number during your sophomore, junior, and senior year. The more senior you are, the better your room will be.
- Most dorms have lounges, televisions, kitchens, and laundry facilities. You can also expect a bed, desk, closet, shelf, phone (with voice mail), and Ethernet connection.
- Housing at Swat is co-ed by hall, not by room. There is a men’s bathroom and women’s bathroom on almost all halls.
- Although, there is single-sex housing in Parrish and Dana. Also, there is co-ed housing by room in certain dorms.
- The Housing Co-ordinator, Elizabeth Derickson, is responsible for dorm life and residential issues. Be sure to get in touch with her if you need to discuss residential matters/special needs. --She's leaving this year! We don't know who will be taking her place yet.


E. Food/Dining
- Sharples: This is the central dining hall. It follows the Quaker tradition of having everyone dine under one roof. You can be on the 20, 17, or 14 meal plans (per week), although your first semester as a freshman must be under the 20 meal plan. 3 meals are served at Sharples every day, except for Sunday breakfast. There are designated time intervals for each meal. You are not allowed to use more than 2 meals per meal interval. If you are on the 14 or 17 meal plan, you have a certain number of points that can be allocated towards getting food from other areas on campus.
- Essie Mae's: This is our snack bar (Tarble). You can use your meals or points here. It also has its own meal hours and time intervals for each meal.
- Kohlberg Coffee Bar: The central coffee bar on campus located on the first floor of Kohlberg Hall. You can use your points there.
- Science Center Coffee Bar: Located on the first floor of the Science Center. You can use your points there. The special thing about this coffee bar is that from Mon-Fri, after 11.30, you can purchase things like boxes of sushi and fried rice (catered by Margaret Kuo's, a pretty good fusion Chinese-Japanese restaraunt). Either get yours quickly or reserve one though, because they tend to run out fast. They're also a bit on the pricey side, at 5.75 dollars.
- Paces: This is a student-run restaurant (Tarble) and cafe that is open on the weekends and some of the weeknights. There are a variety of foods served here. Only cash (no meals or points) can be used here.
- McCabe Coffee Bar: This is a small one in the main library on campus. It is on the first floor towards the back. Points can not be used here either.
- QUB: This is a late-night lounge that serves Asian-inspired food and is open on the weekends. It is also completely student run and only accepts cash.


F. Fine Arts
- Swat offers a range of fine arts including studio art, painting, ceramics, sculpturing, music theory, instrument lessons (including orchestra), voice program, various types of dance, and theater (directing, on stage acting, or back stage work).
- The fine arts are fixed in the Lang Concert Hall and the Lang Performing Arts Center (LPAC).
- You can pursue any of the fine arts as an honors major, course major, minor, or even as an extracurricular activity on the side. It’s fairly easy to just dive in and get involved.

G. Athletics
- Swat is a Division III school. We have 21 varsity teams, including 11 women’s teams and 10 men’s teams. We also have club sports and intramurals. Nearly 65% of students do sports at Swat on some level, whether competitive or intramural.
- The athletic facilities are top-of-the-line, and include the Mullan Center (tennis & fitness), indoor track, and swimming pool.
- Swarthmore is not known to be an athletic powerhouse. The college places academics as a priority, and all else comes next.


H. Parties
- There are always parties going on! They mainly take place on Friday and Saturday nights from 10pm-2am in Paces and Olde Club.
- Olde Club also hosts concerts pretty often.
- The fraternities on campus (DU and Phi Psi) often sponsor parties on the weekends. They are open to everyone (including women).
- Upper Tarble also often has parties/events taking place there.
- Pub Nite: This takes place every Thursday night (Paces) and people do nothing but drink alcohol and play alcohol games.


I. Traditions
- Screw Your Roommate: This is a dance when students pair their roommates(s) with a blind date. Everyone meets in the dining hall, dressed in costumes, trying to find their "screw-date". For example, someone will have to find the honey while the other finds the bee. The dance takes place that night.
- Primal Scream: The night before exams at midnight, everyone opens their windows and screams as loud as they can, no matter where they are located.
- Chocolates and Choosing: The entire sophomore class gets together with the deans of the college. They provide students with all of sorts of chocolates as they contemplate their prospective major and course of study.
- Crum Regatta: On Parents' Weekend, students design their own boats and have a race on the Crum Creek. Many different prizes are given!
- McCabe Mile: Students get together in McCabe and race around the bottom level. The winner gets a roll of toilet paper. This is because the Scott Paper Company guy (McCabe) is a Swattie and funded the building of the library.
- Dash for Cash: The rugby team (men and/or women) streak naked while students throw money at them. This is a funky fort of fundraiser.
- SAGER Dance: This takes place during SAGER (gay, lesbian, and bisexual week) when students cross-dress and have a fun and wild time!


J. Religion
- Swat was founded by the Religious Society of Friends, otherwise known as the Quakers.
- We are not officially affiliated with the Quakers any more, but the Quaker philosophy is alive on campus. For example, Swat has a lot of diversity and respect and tolerance for people of different backgrounds.
- We were founded in 1864 as a co-ed school. We were one of the first colleges to admit African Americans. Both of these things were really unheard of at the time. Thanks to the Quakers!
- The religious center (Bond) houses the Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant student advisors. There is also a common worship/meditation room for those who want it. There are many religious groups: from the MSA (Muslim Students’ Association) to the Young Friends.


K. Finances
- Swarthmore has plenty of jobs available for students, and you can get a job no matter if you are on work-study or now. These jobs include working for the admissions office, alumni office, library, or even Information Technology Services (ITS). Keep an eye and ear open to job announcements once you arrive. The college does not recommend working for more than a few hours per week.
- You can open your own bank account wither with the Franklin Mint Credit Union on campus or the PNC Bank near campus.
- Almost everything on campus is FREE and open to everyone, including the public.


L. Transportation/Surroundings
- The borough of Swarthmore is very small, and students call is the "Ville". It has the basic things we need to survive (Chinese restaurant, pizza place, barber shop, laundry mat, supermarket, pharmacy).
- The suburb of Springfield is only five minutes away from the college. On Baltimore Pike, one can find many chain stores and restaurants. Also, the Springfield Mall is close by.
- There is a train station literally right on the foot of campus. It may take any where between 15-30 minutes to get into Philly depending on how far into the city you want to go. Philly is called the "City of Brotherly Love" and it was one of the first cities developed by the Americans. There are theaters, restaurants, museums, and other fun sites.
- Parrish Circle: This is the focal point of campus where shuttles depart. There is a tri-college shuttle that takes you to Haverford/Bryn Mawr. Also, there are free shuttles on the weekends into Philly and the local movie theater and mall.
- You are not allowed to have a car on campus during your first year. You can bring a car and apply for a parking permit after your first year. Many students rent parking spots from the borough of Swarthmore close to campus.


M. Weather
- Philadelphia is conveniently located within a few hours of New York City, Baltimore, and Washington D.C. The East Coast/Middle Atlantic of the United States experiences four seasons: fall, winter, spring, and summer. Summers are very hot and humid! The heat is alleviated by the fall and its different colored leaves falling. Winters are notoriously cold and filled with snow and rain! Then comes spring with its bright days, warm sun, and flourishing plants! Anticipate a range of necessary clothing from shorts to sweaters!