From the Dean

Fall 2025

Dear Colleague,

Greetings from Swarthmore College. We are looking forward to connecting with you as we embark on another academic year, whether that’s while on the road at school visits and attending professional conferences, or on Swarthmore’s beautiful 425-acre arboretum campus just 11 miles outside of Philadelphia. Please feel free to call, write, or email me (jbock2@swarthmore.edu) if you have questions or comments.

We know that the landscape of college admissions and higher education has been turbulent, with federal funding in limbo and greater scrutiny placed over how our institutions operate. Let me assure you that Swarthmore continues our holistic application review process that takes many factors into account, including a student’s full lived experience. We continue to lean into our mission and persist in fostering an inclusive community. We also remain committed to increasing access and navigating barriers for students.

Swarthmore is test-optional. Students will have the option to submit scores to us, and they will have the option for us not to consider scores already submitted. Students who either did not take a test or chose not to share results with us will not be penalized in the admissions process.

The average financial aid decision for the 2024-25 academic year was $71,465 toward the total billed cost of $85,802, and 54% of students received financial aid. Students, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, should not remove high-priced schools from their lists before taking a closer look at financial aid policies. Swarthmore’s financial aid is need-based. We provide loan-free grant aid that meets 100% of a student’s determined need.

In addition to financial aid, students will continue to find support throughout their time at Swarthmore. We do not charge additional fees for services such as laundry, printing, lab classes, or attending campus events. We also offer the Textbook Affordability Program, where all students receive an $800 credit for required course materials as part of tuition charges. All students also get a free SEPTA Key, allowing them to take public transportation in and around the region and the City of Philadelphia.

Swarthmore College enters its 19th year as a QuestBridge partner for the 2025-26 academic year. We hope you will remind your students that we have a long-standing commitment to providing financial aid to all students whose potential family resources fall short of our charges.

Please let us know how we might participate in any special programs or workshops at your school or organization, and how we can continue to strengthen our relationships with you and your students. Our regional deans look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,

James L. Bock ’90

Vice President and Dean of Admissions