I visited Swarthmore outside Philadelphia while in town for my conference. The campus is stunningly beautiful. It's also one of the most highly selective colleges in the United States. What's the vibe? Think University of Chicago. Super smart, intellectual and individualistic. Swarthmore is a member of the Centennial athletic conference, but don't come here thinking social life will revolve around the football team. There are plenty of vibrant clubs and organizations where students pursue what they really love. Debate, music and dance, and cultural organizations are hot here. So are club sports. I was impressed to hear that all students are matched with a dean to help them navigate their college journey. I also love that Swarthmore offers funded summer research, on and off campus for virtually all students. With a $3 billion endowment, Swarthmore does not include loans as part of financial aid packages. Academically, it's important to note that the first semester is past/fail, so students can jump in and learn for learning's sake without concern for grades. Also, although Swarthmore is well known for its strong liberal arts curriculum, it also has a wonderful accredited engineering program. There are no freshmen dorms here; all residents halls have mixed classes and virtually all students live on campus. Lastly, Swarthmore is a 20 minute train ride to downtown Philadelphia!