For Arpi Halajian ’28, the first few days at Swarthmore have been “a whirlwind of new faces and locations and emotions.”

“I’m really enjoying this time in Orientation to build social connections before I get thrown into the academic part of college, which I'm also enthusiastic about,” says Halajian, of Tenafly, N.J, an Emmy-award winning and Grammy-nominated member of the Young People’s Chorus of New York City.

“It's been so rewarding to find moments of connection with others over the smallest things, like cool earrings, and also the biggest things, like our potential future careers,” she adds. “I hope the Swarthmore experience continues to be friendly and invigorating, in addition to challenging and enriching.”

Swarthmore, which began its 156th year of instruction on Sept. 3, welcomed 427 first-year students and three exchange students to campus last week. The students were selected from one of the most diverse applicant pools in the College’s history.

“I am excited to welcome the Class of 2028 to campus with great joy, as the 2024 admissions cycle was one of the most transformative in recent years,” says Jim Bock ’90, vice president and dean of Admissions.

“Between FAFSA delays and the Supreme Court’s decision on race-conscious admissions, our team alongside the Financial Aid Office came up against new and often difficult challenges,” he adds. “I’m so grateful for the dedication, collaboration, and ingenuity of my colleagues to bring us to this point.”

The first-years quickly got to know one another last week. After moving into residence halls, they took part in communal ice-breaker activities near the Dining Center before bidding farewell to loved ones. Orientation activities included a community BBQ, a scavenger hunt, and an open mic night, and the new students also were able to experience beloved Swarthmore traditions, such as First Collection and the Scott Arboretum’s plant giveaway.

“Orientation is always an exciting time where the whole campus comes together to welcome in our new students,” says Rebecca Weintraub-Barth, director of Student Activities. “This year, we were excited to also provide them journaling opportunities to actively engage with the materials shared during Orientation. And there were plenty of other opportunities to have some fun, meet new friends, and learn a lot about the place they now call home!”

Among the first to meet the Class of 2028 were the student orientation leaders, who gave their newest classmates high marks.

“The group was incredibly excited and willing to participate in activities, excited to engage, and just so ready to meet their classmates that they will get to spend time with for the next four years,” says Caroline Hill ’27, of Charlottesville, Va. “The small group I worked with was so loving and supportive and always down to laugh, which definitely made my job a blast.”

Members of the incoming class represent 43 states as well as the District of Columbia and Guam. Twenty-six percent are dual citizens, permanent residents, or non-U.S citizens, representing 58 countries.

International students were among the first on campus. They began an earlier Orientation program in late August led by Jennifer Marks-Gold, assistant dean and director of International Student Programs, and leaders from the International Student Center. Their excitement abounded across the five days of programming, which included an “Engaging the Crum” session led by Betsy Bolton, Alexander Griswold Cummins Professor of English Literature.

“The Class of 2028 reciprocated our welcome with even more warmth and enthusiasm than we could have imagined, and were so proactive in immersing themselves in Swat life,” says Andrea Cheah ’27 of Singapore, who helped lead the International Student Orientation.

“Meeting the students, I’m reminded of why I keep coming back each year,” adds Panhavoan Reth ’25, a linguistics and languages major from Long Beach, Calif., three-time International Orientation leader, and former i20 International Student Club president.

By the Numbers

Class of 2028

Swarthmore, which began its 156th year of instruction on Sept. 3, welcomed 427 first-year students and three exchange students to campus last week. The students were selected from one of the most diverse applicant pools in the College’s history.

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Also getting an early jump were many of the College’s student-athletes, who represent 22% of the student body. Practices and training began in earnest in mid-August.

“We are excited to welcome this year's talented class,” says Brad Koch, Marion Ware Director of Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation. “Our Athletics faculty continue to do a remarkable job recruiting and finding student-athletes that are a great fit for the college and our community. And our administration is ready to help our new and returning students meet their health and wellness goals!”

The first members of the class to arrive were the 16 participants of the Summer Scholars Program (S3P), who began a full academic-immersion experience at the end of July. It was a special cohort, says Ben Geller, associate professor of physics and director of the S3P, as this summer marked the return to a fully residential program after several years of hybrid programs following the start of the pandemic.

“It was exhilarating to work with the S3P Class of 2028 cohort as they began their Swarthmore journey,” Geller says. “They brought thoughtfulness and energy and joy to their interactions with each other and with the S3P instructors, and I'm thrilled to see them joining the Swarthmore community.”

The College continued its outreach to diverse student populations, says Bock, and strengthened its partnerships with national and local community-based organizations during the recruitment cycle. In accordance with the aforementioned Supreme Court ruling, Admissions decisions were made through race status-neutral policies and procedures.

Swarthmore’s holistic admissions process considers individuals’ lived experience, and its student body represents people from all walks of life. Fifty-two percent of this year’s enrolling domestic students are students of color, 27% of this year’s class are the first generation in their family to attend college, and 30% receive Pell Grants.

“I am proud that the work of building and fostering a diverse community at Swarthmore does not fall solely on the shoulders of Admissions but is the shared mission of our whole institution,” says Bock. “And that’s what we will continue to do — lean into our mission.”

The incoming students are “some of the most enthusiastic, caring, and bright ever to join our community,” Bock adds. They include a national debate champion, Kentucky’s first-ever Youth Poet Laureate, and a national-level sit skier.

Together, the Class of 2028 reflects Swarthmore’s zeal for interdisciplinary and wide-ranging study. Among the most popular anticipated majors are engineering, economics, biology, peace and conflict studies, computer science, English literature, neuroscience, political science, and music.

“I hope the Class of 2028 is looking forward to getting to know our community and embarking on this new stage of their intellectual journey,” says Krista Thomason, associate professor of philosophy.

“It's fun to watch as the first-years see Swarthmore with fresh eyes,” she adds. “It helps those of us who have been here for a while to see it anew.”

Held in the Scott Outdoor Amphitheater, First Collection marks the official beginning of every student's Swarthmore journey and is unlike any other tradition at the College.

Held in the Scott Outdoor Amphitheater, First Collection marks the official beginning of every student's Swarthmore journey and is unlike any other tradition at the College.

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