How's Engineering at Swarthmore?

Hey everyone! I've been considering Swarthmore for my college journey, and I'm curious about their engineering program. Can anyone speak to the quality of the program? And does anyone know about the resources, internships, and research opportunities that might be available? Thanks!

Swarthmore College is known primarily for its strong liberal arts education, but it does offer a unique Bachelor of Science in Engineering. Although the program is somewhat smaller compared to engineering programs at larger universities, it provides a strong foundation in engineering principles and emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration—a considerable advantage if you enjoy a liberal arts-focused environment.

The engineering program at Swarthmore is general and not specialized, meaning you'll gain a well-rounded education in various engineering disciplines rather than focusing on one specific area, like electrical or mechanical engineering. This can be beneficial if you're undecided about your engineering specialty or you want a broad-based engineering education.

Despite being a smaller program, Swarthmore offers several resources and opportunities for engineering students. Some highlights include the McCabe Engineering Library, the Singer Hall Makerspace, and the Engineering Senior Design Clinic, which is a capstone project all senior engineering students participate in. This project gives you a hands-on opportunity to work in a team and apply your engineering skills to a real-world problem. Many students also collaborate with professors on research projects or are supported by faculty to pursue their own research, providing you with valuable research experience.

When it comes to internships and job opportunities, Swarthmore's Career Services Office works with students to help them secure engineering internships, co-ops, and full-time job positions. Moreover, Swarthmore's location near Philadelphia is advantageous for finding internships and job opportunities in a variety of industries. In addition, the strong alumni network at Swarthmore can be a valuable resource for securing internships and jobs, as well as for receiving mentoring and guidance.

In summary, Swarthmore's engineering program may be small, but it offers a robust educational experience along with opportunities for research, internships, and job placements. If you're open to the idea of a general engineering degree within a liberal arts environment, Swarthmore could be an excellent choice.