Chance me for Swarthmore, etc.

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi guys!

I just started my senior year and am starting the college application process. My top choice right now is Swarthmore, but I just got rejected from Discover Swarthmore (which I was expecting because I really don’t have any hooks) and am worried about my chances. I’m planning on applying EDI to Swat, but I really don’t know if I have a chance. I know my SAT score is low, but I’m taking it again (and I’m actually studying this time).

I’m also planning on applying to Williams, Hamilton, UF, and FSU. These are the schools that I’ve narrowed my search down to. I might throw in some others, but these are my top schools and safeties, and by “safeties” I mean FSU. :wink:

If there’s anything I can do in this short amount of time to boost my chances, let me know. If not, please tell me. I promise that you will not hurt my feelings. :slight_smile:

So, without further ado, here are my stats:

Academics:

  • 3rd in my class of 550
  • 4.0 uw GPA, 4.6 w
  • AP Classes --- AP Human Geography: 5 --- AP World History: 5 --- AP Seminar: 4 --- AP Music Theory: 2 (we don't talk about this) --- AP Lang: 5 --- AP Calc AB: 2 (we REALLY don't talk about this; getting it rescored, but I'm taking BC so who cares) --- AP Research: 4 --- APUSH: 5
  • Senior Class Load: AP Calc BC, AP Environmental Science, AP Art History, AP Latin, AP Gov, AP Macro, AP European History, Band, AP Lit, AP Psych
  • SAT: 1380 (740 English, 640 Math, 6/6/6 on Essay; taking it again in October)
  • ACT: N/A
  • SAT IIs: Might take Bio E and Lit in November---but do I have to for Swat? I'll probably still do them just in case.

Extracurriculars:

  • Band all 4 years---I play bassoon and mellophone (no leadership position though, which sucks. I'm not bitter, it's fine, I'm fine)
  • Captain of Brain Bowl Team
  • President of school chapter of English Honor Society
  • Treasurer of school Mu Alpha Theta chapter
  • Member of Rho Kappa (will probably get a leadership position next year)
  • Member of National Honor Society (no chance of leadership here, which also sucks)
  • Very involved in Latin Club, and just Latin in general (I've taken it all 3 years so far, taking AP in the fall)
  • Volunteer activities with band (teaching middle-schoolers how to play musical instruments)
  • Various church activities
  • Starting a book club and a lit journal at school this upcoming year

Awards:

  • Several regional- and state-level awards in Latin (Florida Junior Classical League)
  • Magna cum laude, National Latin Exam (Freshman and Junior years)
  • Brain Bowl team was 2nd place overall this year
  • Various school awards (9th grade English award, 10th grade Social Studies award, et al.)
  • Various church awards (was involved in a church program called Lads to Leaders, but no so much anymore)
  • Solo and Ensemble Festival for band (superiors since 9th grade)
  • Band has won Otto Kraushaar Award for the three years I've been in band so far (not really that important for me specifically, but I thought I'd mention it)
  • Applying for YoungArts and Scholastic Arts in the fall (writing)
  • There might be some other minor ones that I can't think of right now

Personal Info:

  • Race: White
  • State: Florida
  • Income: ~$90,000
  • Financial Aid: absolutely (especially because my family has a lot of medical expenses, it's complicated)
  • Hooks: no

I’m looking to major in either poli sci or English and then go into law school. The goal is to pursue a career in politics, but I know my extracurriculars don’t seem to indicate that at the moment. Like I mentioned earlier, I’m submitting writing for YoungArts and Scholastic, but will it help if, say, I put these works in my Coalition app locker? I know that the results will not be back in time before EDI, though. I also wrote a research paper for AP Research which I could put in there.

I also have a teacher that might (but probably will) recommend me for the Princeton Arts and Humanities Symposium. If I go, would that be a good thing to put on my app?

To those of you who have seen me on here before, I know my list of schools is constantly changing and I apologize for any confusion that is caused by reading some of my previous posts.

Your help is much appreciated. Thanks.

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bump

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bump x2

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Being honest, your SAT score is a potential problem for your top choices. Some of those schools are test optional, so I suggest applying that way. Fairtest publishes a list of TO schools. Consider retaking the SAT, or try the ACT too.

5

I would suggest that beyond the statistical issues, you focus on attempting to build a rapport with the admissions office. You already applied to DiscoSwat…which is great even without the acceptance. It shows interest and planning on your part.

If at all possible, it would be great to visit and interview. Appreciating that may not be an option, I would make sure to try and attend one of the open houses that will have your state admissions officer in FL. You only need to go once, but you should try to attend and ask questions…in person…about the school. Financial aid, EC’s, etc. Why should you spend your one ED1 app on Swarthmore? A 3-minute conversation with the person who will be the first line of review and who ultimately would represent you in front of the admissions committee can be a real difference maker.

Here is a link to the Swarthmore “in your area” web page. There are half a dozen FL open houses (all in one week)
https://apply.swarthmore.edu/portal/local

Emily Almas is the FL rep. http://www.swarthmore.edu/admissions-aid/admissions-staff . If you can’t make that week, or if the distances are too far, reach out to her now and see if there are any other possibilities. Local Alumni interviews?

Don’t overdo it…but you should work with Emily to try and give her a reason to say “yes, this is someone we want to be part of our community”. Good luck.

6

Your grades show you are clearly smart enough to understand the numbers. You understand that Swat is a reach, but you should also understand that there are several “needs-met” schools who will find you a very attractive candidate based on your grades and EC’s - your dedication and talent in band will appeal to several schools, but it is hard to know which school needs another bassoon and mellophone player.

7

@EyeVeee Thanks for that advice! I plan on going up there in mid-October which is right around the time that EDI applications are due, so I’ll see if I can schedule an interview. Would it be advantageous for me to still go to the FL open houses even if I’m planning on visiting?

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@3puppies Thank you for your comment. Out of curiosity, though, what are some schools that are “‘need-met’” that you think would be more attainable for me?

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@Ambrosius - regarding a FL trip…I think it depends. How difficult is it to get to an open house? I wouldn’t spend a day traveling for it if you’re going to be on campus near then, but if you live near a location and can do both…I think it helps. I feel that the more face time you can get with the state rep for any school…the better. They won’t be able to put a face to most of the names they will read, and I think having a sense of what the person looks like, acts like, etc., helps them see your application as special / different. All the rest are very similar.

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@EyeVeee, unfortunately none of the college fairs listed on Swarthmore’s website are near me. I suppose I’ll just visit and see what happens.

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One thing that could help you stand out is to get involved with a political organization, so then it shows that you’re incredibly motivated and working towards your poli sci future. The High School Democrats/Republicans in Florida are both very active, see if you can reach out to them! Otherwise, I think everything looks good? Hopefully retaking the SAT in October goes well!