Ask a Transfer Swattie

Want to learn more about the transfer student experience at Swarthmore? We encourage you to read bios of two recent transfer students below. They look forward to answering your questions. You can 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 identify yourself as a prospective transfer student in the 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 transfer@swarthmore.edu.
• Please contact the Financial Aid Office with questions about financial aid.

Katie ’26

Katie is from Durham, NC. She transferred to Swarthmore College after her freshman year at Davidson College. At Swarthmore, she is pursuing an  honors major in peace and conflict studies with an Honors minor in political science, as well as a course-based double major in political science. She is an editor of The Tri-Co Law Review, a member of the varsity women’s soccer team, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and an admissions tour guide. Additionally, Katie serves as a Resident Assistant, writes for the sports section of The Phoenix school newspaper, is a Make A Play (MAP) Foundation Fellow, and trains students in the gym as a personal trainer during her free time. Academically, Katie is conducting research for a double-credit thesis in peace and conflict studies and works at various sports games.

Vanessa ’25

Vanessa is a senior at Swarthmore College, set to graduate in May 2025. She transferred to Swarthmore in the fall of 2023 from Colorado College, where she studied anthropology and film & media studies. At Swarthmore, she is pursuing a special major in visual ethnography, an interdisciplinary program combining anthropology, sociology, and film & media studies. Her senior thesis focuses on community gardens in Philadelphia, employing ethnographic methods and documentary filmmaking to examine how formal rules and everyday interactions influence community dynamics. Outside the classroom, she is a member of the Women’s Basketball team and serves as an editor for the Tri-College Consortium Law Review, where she explores interdisciplinary perspectives on law and society.