Chance a stressed out high school senior

<p>WGPA: 4.14
UGPA: 3.77
WGPA (10-12): 4.35
Strong upward trend, I maintained a 5.0 in 7 AP classes last year. Got a lot of B's freshman year.</p>

<p>SAT: Reading 690 Writing 750 Math 750 (2190) retaking it in a few days, aiming for 2250 or higher
SAT II: Lit 710, USH 770
AP: 5s on Psych, Lang, US History, Art History, World History, and Studio Art. A 4 on AP Euro
Extra Curriculars: I'm in an elite art program at my school, I hold a leadership position in it (on the ECEB- like an ASB- for two years and am the student president of the Art department.) My conservatory meets 3 times a week, for two hours. It's a very rigorous program unique to my school. I had two internships throughout high school and a job at a crepe restaurant. I took an econ class, and aced it, at UCSD last summer.
Submitting an arts supplement- I think my portfolio is strong. I won best in class at the county fair, and two silver keys in the scholastic art and writing competition.</p>

<p>My letters of rec, I think, would be very good- I was very close with both of the teachers who wrote them.
I am a good essay writer.</p>

<p>Major: Art History or Economics
White Male
From California (if it helps)
I go to the top public school in San Diego County, and as far as test scores go, we're within I think the top 10 or 20 in the state.</p>

<p>Upward trend in the gpa with the AP gpa and scores and the SAT II scores puts the numerical data in the ballpark. The arts portfolio is an important addition to your application. As so often is pointed out on this site, the “Why Swarthmore?” essay also is absolutely critical to making a case for yourself. You have demonstrated a capacity to excel in the creative area and accepted Swat applicants tend to have at least one aspect of their profile that stands out. But why do you need to take your talents to Swarthmore? How will Swarthmore enable you to maximize your potential? What can you contribute to Swarthmore? Hanging out on the web site and getting a strong sense for the school and its ethos plus spending serious time on that essay is key. The art history and studio art programs at Swat can further your dreams (they are strong). I’m not familiar with econ at Swat (daughter has not explored those areas) but you will want to be when you write that essay. In your essay you will want to be articulate about your dreams and show why Swat rather than another college is the best place for you to further them.</p>

<p>thank you so much, this is really good advice.</p>

<p>Is it a good idea to go over the 2000 character limit?</p>

<p>2000?! Where did you get that number?</p>

<p>I think there’s a box in the common app with a 2000 character limit, but you can also upload a document. I can’t see why you wouldn’t upload a document when the Why Swat essay is so important.</p>

<p>oh ok I gotcha</p>