Hows the Engineering Program at Swarthmore?

I'm strongly considering majoring in engineering, and Swarthmore has caught my interest. For anyone who's enrolled or was previously enrolled, could you share your experiences? Insight on class size, internships, research opportunities, and faculty would be amazing.

Swarthmore College indeed has an excellent Engineering program, and it's well-regarded because of its heavy emphasis on the liberal arts. This approach allows their students to not only develop their engineering skills but also to have a wide-ranging educational experience, which can be advantageous in many professional settings.

One stand-out aspect of Swarthmore's Engineering program is the small class sizes. With a student-faculty ratio of 8:1, you can expect a lot of personalized attention and interaction with your professors. This close-knit academic atmosphere enhances learning and fosters collaborative work.

The faculty are both knowledgeable and approachable. They foster an environment that encourages critical thinking while offering lots of support. Moreover, most of them hold their office hours open, allowing students to drop by to ask for help or to discuss course material.

In terms of opportunities beyond the classroom, Swarthmore also excels. For internships, the college's Career Services does an excellent job. They help students to find summer internships and offer funding for unpaid or low-pay internships. The college's location in the Philadelphia area also benefits students, allowing access to various industries and organizations for internships and job opportunities.

Then there's research. Many Engineering professors at Swarthmore are involved in interesting research projects, and they often involve students in their work. Not only does this allows students to gain valuable, hands-on experience, but it also presents the chance to form close relationships with professors, who can later serve as references or guides for grad school applications or job hunts.

Lastly, Swarthmore engineering alumni have gone on to achieve great things in various fields, which attests to the quality of the education and the program's ability to produce well-rounded, versatile graduates. From entrepreneurs to CEOs to esteemed academics, the program's graduates illustrate the numerous paths that an engineering degree from Swarthmore can lead to.

All in all, Swarthmore offers a holistic and enriching engineering education that equips students to navigate the complexities of contemporary engineering challenges. But as always, remember to consider whether the college and its program align with your personal values and academic motivations!