Please complete both prompts below (in 250 words or fewer).

Topic 1: Swarthmore College maintains an ongoing commitment of building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive residential community dedicated to rigorous intellectual inquiry. All who engage in our community are empowered through the open exchange of ideas guided by equity and social responsibility to thrive and contribute as bridge builders within global communities. Our identities and perspectives are supported and developed by our immediate contexts and lived experiences – in our neighborhoods, families, classrooms, communities of faith, and more. What aspects of your self-identity or personal background are most significant to you? Reflecting on the elements of your home, school, or other communities that have shaped your life, explain how you have grown in your ability to navigate differences when engaging with others, or demonstrated your ability to collaborate in communities other than your own.

Topic 2: Swarthmore’s community of learners inspire one another through their collaborative and flexible approach to learning. Swarthmore students are comfortable with intellectual experimentation and connection of ideas across the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and interdisciplinary studies through a liberal arts education. Tell us about a topic that has fascinated you recently – either inside or outside of the classroom. What made you curious about this? Has this topic connected across other areas of your interests? How has this experience shaped you and what encourages you to keep exploring?  

Art Supplements

Students with especially strong backgrounds and interest in pursuing the arts at Swarthmore can share samples of their work via SlideRoom, free of charge. We accept supplements in creative writing (written or spoken word poetry and fiction), dance (performance and choreography), music (performance and composition), theater, and the visual arts. Submissions provide our Admissions Committee with examples of students’ artistic talents and are subject to faculty review. Please know, however, that we cannot guarantee all works will be evaluated.

Resumes, Research Abstracts or other items
Additional materials that you feel are important to understanding who you are (such as resumes, research abstracts, Schoolhouse.world portfolios, or other items) can be uploaded in your portal after you submit your application. 

About Swarthmore

 • Swarthmore, Pennsylvania (near Philadelphia)
 • Founded in 1864
 • Private liberal arts college
 • Total undergraduate enrollment in previous year: 1,581
 • Suburban setting
 • 7–9% acceptance rate 

School is Known
 • For Part of the Tri-College Consortium with Bryn Mawr and Haverford (students can take classes across all three)
 • Very rigorous but not competitive: students collaborate and support each other. The first semester is pass/fail.
 • Lots of independent research, student-driven learning, and tight-knit faculty-student mentorships. 

 • Vibrant student theater scene (a mix of experimental and classic work).
 • A cappella groups, dance companies, and visual art exhibitions are frequent. No religious requirement or pressure, but Quaker values (equality, consensus, peace, inner reflection) quietly shape the culture.
 • Programs like the Lang Center for Civic & Social Responsibility help students launch community projects, intern at nonprofits, or research solutions to real-world issues.

Culture 

 • Social life is more intellectual, and intimate than party-centered.
 • Campus is also a certified arboretum which means there are lots of green spaces, nature trails, and flower gardens.
 • 100+ student-run organizations (cultural, academic, recreational, social justice).
 • A 30-minute train ride gets you into Philadelphia for concerts, museums, internships, food, and city fun.
 • Most students live on campus all 4 years.
 • Many dorms have strong community identities, shared traditions, dorm events, and themed lounges.