Ask a Swattie

Swarthmore students sit in white chairs on the porch of Parrish Hall

Want to learn more about Swarthmore by speaking directly with a current student? We encourage you to reach out to these Swatties ​to hear about their experiences. Prospective transfer students can ask questions of current students who transferred to Swarthmore on our Ask a Transfer Swattie page.

Ask a Swattie

The students featured below are all seniors at Swarthmore who work with the Admissions Office. They look forward to answering your questions, so please reach out to them at askaswattie@swarthmore.edu. If you would like to write to a specific student, share their name in your email.

Please note:

  • Our students typically respond within 4 business days. Response times may be longer during College breaks.
  • Our students are very happy to answer any questions you have about the student experience via email, but they are not available to meet with you on campus or virtually.
  • Our students do not answer questions about the application process nor offer advice for your application.
  • Questions about admissions are best answered by your regional admissions officer or by emailing admissions@swarthmore.edu.
  • Please contact the Financial Aid Office with questions about financial aid.
  • Swarthmore does not consider ‘demonstrated interest’ in our application review process.
Avinash smiles at the camera.

Avinash '27

Avinash (he/him) is a rising senior at Swarthmore. He is also a graduate from the United World Colleges: East Africa. Avinash is pursuing a double major in political science and environmental studies. Outside of academics, he is the founder and co-chair of the Swarthmore Urbanists, a student club dedicated to educating and advocating for sustainable urban environments, and works on-campus as a resident assistant. Last semester, Avinash participated in the Tri-Co Philly Program, a cohort-based program that brings together Swarthmore, Haverford, and Bryn Mawr Colleges to offer urban-focused, experiential classes taught in Philadelphia. When he's not working, Avinash likes to explore Philadelphia's diverse neighborhoods and cycling around the region! 

Persephone smiles at the camera.

Persephone '27

Persephone (she/her) is from Long Island, New York. She is pursuing a double major in computer science and film and media studies. Outside of academics, she is an active member of the Kitao art club and frequently attends meetings for many of the Asian affinity groups on campus, such as the Swarthmore Pan Asian Association (SPAA). She will also be working as a Swarthmore Innovation Fellow (SwIF) in the fall! Some of her hobbies and interests include creative writing, listening to music, and playing video games. In her free time, you can often find her exploring Philadelphia, visiting her favorite museums and restaurants and finding new ones to add to her rotation.

Jonathan smiles at the camera.

Jonathan '29

Jonathan (he/him) is a first-generation low income (FLI) student from King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. He is double majoring in political science and economics on the pre-law track. On campus, he is a member of ENLACE, the Swarthmore College Orchestra, and an orientation leader. Outside of academics, he loves running, playing a wide variety of instruments, hanging out with friends, and enjoys traveling. You can find Jonathan at Martin Hall, his favorite academic building on campus, with his friends having a good time. Ask Jonathan any questions about the social sciences, being FLI, and transitioning into Swarthmore. 

Sydney smiles at the camera.

Sydney '27

Sydney (she/her) is a first-generation low-income (FLI) student and senior from Toledo, Ohio. She is majoring in economics with an honors minor in Spanish and a course minor in French and Francophone Studies. However, she came to Swarthmore as a prospective linguistics student. She is heavily involved with the Spanish Department and French section of the Modern Languages Department, working for both as a tutor and often volunteering at events. In her free time, she loves to bake sweet treats for her friends. Feel free to ask her anything about Swarthmore!

Se'Cora smiles at the camera.

Se'Cora '27

Se’Cora (she/her) is a senior from Pontiac, Michigan. She is a global politics and policies major with a minor in environmental studies. If you have any questions about global studies special majors and environmental studies, she is well-versed on the subjects. On campus, Se’Cora works as a President's Sustainability Research Fellow (PSRF), a Cornell Library Assistant, and a Writing Associate (WA), and was a former Green Advisor (GA). Her club involvement includes NatroKnots, the Sexual Health Advocates (SHA), and the Swarthmore Pre-Law Society (SPLS). In her free time, she likes to crochet, bake, and collect records and comics. Se’Cora also has great intel on study abroad opportunities (including Senegal and Samoa), Swarthmore’s first generation/low-income (FLI) community, and campus sustainability.

Izzy smiles at the camera.

Izzy '29

Izzy Hemler (she/her) is a rising sophomore from Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania. She is a prospective engineering major and a theater minor. On campus, she is involved in the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle team, the Richard Rubin Mentorship program and attends CASA events – an affinity group for gender minorities of Latin American descent. She also has had two part time jobs on campus as an usher and tech crew member for music and theater performances. During her free time, she enjoys walking through the Crum woods, playing guitar, and going to Philadelphia to eat good food, see museums, and hang out with friends.

Rianne smiles at the camera.

Rianne '29

Rianne (she/her) is an incoming sophomore from the island of Guam. She is a prospective global studies major and dance minor. At Swarthmore, Rianne was a first-year intern for the Organizing to Redefine Asian Activism (ORAA), a member of Kapatiran (Swarthmore’s Filipino Student Association), and she dances for the Rhythm n’ Motion Dance Company. During her freshman year, she worked as an Associate at the InterCultural Center. When not in class, Rianne enjoys journaling, watching ballet, as well as spending quality time with friends and family through food, travel, and nature. She also loves different genres of music and will dance anywhere and everywhere!

Bradley smiles at the camera.

Bradley '27

Bradley (he/him) is a senior from Torquay, Devonshire, United Kingdom. He is an Honors PPE (political science, philosophy, and economics) major with a political science concentration. In addition to his role as a Senior Admissions Fellow, Bradley works as an astronomy teaching assistant (Photon) and a research & teaching assistant alongside Claude C. Smith '14 Professor Tierney for his Wargames and Simulations class. In his free time Bradley plays in Gamelan Semara Santi and will be doing an embedded study in Bali alongside the orchestra in the upcoming winter break.

Liam smiles at the camera.

Liam '27

Liam (he/him) is a first-generation student from Austin, Texas. He is a member of the class of 2027 and is studying linguistics and German. On campus, he's been involved as a captain of Swat's fencing club, president of Swat's film photography group, analög, and has worn many hats as an Admissions student worker. Off campus, he has volunteered as a local EMT, completed a semester abroad in Vienna, and enjoys venturing to Philly for live music and good movies. He's excited to answer your questions about Swat!

Curious about engineering? Ask Izzy above! You can also read about our Student Advisory Group in Engineering (SAGE) or reach out to current Engineering students through the Engineering Department.