<p>So right about now I've driven myself into a state of veritable panic over my personal statement, for I'm coming up with nothing. Zilch. Nada. I've written a couple essays, and to my tormented mind they're all pretentious and overly emotional. From what I've heard about Swat admissions, they're sick of reading boring essays so I'm aiming for something irreverent and funny - which is how I am, but I have trouble writing like that since I normally only write when I'm pensive. </p>
<p>Sooo the point is...I doubt I'm going to come up with anything great between now and January 1, so does the essay make or break you? Also, is it a bad thing to have a sincere and not-quirky or whatever essay? Not trite, but sincere. </p>
<p>I'm more worried about Swat than any of the other schools I'm applying to because it's got the lowest admissions rate and it's probably my #1. I got into U of Chicago EA, but Swarthmore is still tougher than Chicago. I've got a couple things in my favor: I've visited twice, got into the Discovery Weekend program, and interviewed well. I'm going to post my stats and crap, because I don't know if I'm out of my league or what. People say "If they're willing to pay to fly you out there, then you'll get in blah blah" but I'm not sure. They paid for 150 kids to go out there. </p>
<p>Also, does being a URM make any difference? </p>
<p>Stats:
SAT: 1500
SAT IIs: 800 Writing, 800 US History, 780 Literature, 760 Math 2C
GPA: 4.36
Rank: 20-something out of 550. Top 10%
Other stats: AP BC Calculus - 5; AP US History - 5
Subjective:
Teacher Recs: Glowing...I picked my teachers well.
Counselor Rec: Pretty good, I guess...
Hook (if any): sent supplemental stuff - 38 p. research paper on Latin American instability (no, I don't expect them to read it), creative writing piece, CD of photography
Location/Person:
State or Country: Cincinnati, Ohio
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Puerto Rican
Gender: Female
Other Factors:
started a chapter of Amnesty International at my school in 10th grade.
focused ECs...not a "serial clubber" and has a good amount of leadership positions</p>
<p>Aaand...oh god, I'm tired. Why is school not out yet?</p>
<p>Swarthmore actively recruits minorities, so being a URM is a strong plus. Your stats seem pretty strong (ask the parents, I'm not very good at evaluating that stuff), but I think the fact that you founded an AI chapter is a very big plus- I happen to know a freshman who is part Puerto Rican and founded an AI chapter at her large, public school. I'd say you have a very good chance and I wouldn't panic about the essays if I were you. With the Why Swat essay, there's no need to be especially irreverent if you can articulate your reasons for wanting to attend Swarthmore. My advice is to just be honest.</p>
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<p>Also, does being a URM make any difference?</p>
</blockquote>
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<p>Yes. Dot-commie, as a Puerto Rican, top 5% of your class, with 1500 SATs, you aren't going to need to knock them dead with your essay. As long as it's not about getting arrested for a double-murder, you should be in good shape!</p>
<p>As far as essays, they don't have to be quirky or brilliant. My daughter's essay was a pretty simple, straightforward narrative -- about some challenging volunteer work she had done. I think it worked because it was NOT pretentious. It expressed some initial apprehension, a narrative of the experience focusing on one kid she taught, and a conclusion expressing personal satisfaction from pushing herself to experience something new and having a small positive impact. It didn't draw any grand sweeping conclusions about the world or its people. If anything, it probably undersold the life experiences she took away from the volunteer work. </p>
<p>She wrote what I call a "nice, little essay". In my opinion, that is the safest essay. I wouldn't try to force being too cutesy or irreverent. Nothing wrong with sounding like a 17 year old kid.</p>
<p>Honest assessment: I would be truly shocked if you didn't get accepted to Swarthmore. Just write a "nice little essay" about something you have enjoyed (Amnesty International) or whatever. You already have a hook.</p>
<p>I second IDad, I think there are way too many kids on this forum who try to "outthink" the essay - and that is when there voices become, as you described well, pretentious and overly emotional. Simple is better, shorter is better (they can almost always be shorter). Think of an aspect of your character that you are particularly proud of, or that you think defines you - why did you start an AI chapter (and if it was to get into college, don't use it), was it compassionate, or disgust or anger, or guilt or sadness? Are you proud of your Puerto Rican heritage? Why? Is there one specific event or custom (Food?, food is good) that clarifies your heritage? This is the part of the essay that parents can be a big help with - just ask them what characteristic of me makes you proudest - they can help you remember incidentsthat van form the basis of your essay.
By the way, don't go see "Spanglish" - its a great movie, with an almost perfect example of how to write a college essay, but there are going to be 5000 "Spanglish" essays descending upon admission offices everywhere.</p>