<p>I've absolutely fallen in love with Swarthmore's beautiful campus, small class sizes, and stress on liberalism, and I'd greatly appreciate any opinions about the likelihood of my being accepted. I would also appreciate if you could point me in the direction of some similar schools into which I would probably be accepted.</p>
<p>I am a female caucasian high school junior in a large Texas high school (almost 1,000 per graduating class) and I'm within the top 3%. </p>
<p>-PSAT score: 217 (The state cutoff for National Merit is usually 215)
-SAT: Composite: 2130 (670 Verbal, 700 Math, 760 Writing)
-ACT: Taking in June
-In orchestra, received superior ratings in the area solo competition and have advanced to the all-state solo competition this May. I have also made the all-district and all-region orchestras. I also hope to become president next year. Would submitting a video of myself performing a piece be helpful?
-National Honor Society
-Junior World Affairs Council (Learns about different cultures & world issues)
-Junior Statesmen of America (Discusses current events)
-I volunteer tutoring middle school children in math
-Volunteer at local CCA (Christian Community Action) Food Bank
-Received "Fantastic Farmer" awards both Sophomore and Junior years for Commitment To Excellence, Dedication, and Attitude (awards which teachers can only give to one student, and there are about 30 students selected from the whole grade level)...the Farmer is my mascot, if you were wondering; I'm not in 4-H or anything.
-I'll have good teacher recommendations (English teacher loves me)
-English is by far my strongest subject, so I'm counting on putting together a killer essay
-Am taking my first AP history and English tests in a couple of weeks, but I got a 5 on the practice English AP exam we took in class
-I want to become a psychiatrist since I've always had a deep fascination with the mind, so I'll probably be studying psychobiology/neuroscience
-My granddad was a Buddhist and the head of the psychology department at Rhodes College in Memphis, TN, and I was very interested in his research, so I think I've got a connection with the sort of mindset Swarthmore looks for in applicants </p>
<p>My dad is self-employed and the economy has been killer the past few years; sometimes we can barely afford groceries. Do you think I could receive substantial scholarships/ financial aid?</p>
<p>I plan to do a lot more volunteer work this summer and possibly take an SAT prep class so I may be able to raise my score. Do you think I may be accepted, and what are some similar schools? Do you have any advice for me?</p>
<p>Your SAT Critical Reading score is low for someone presenting as strong in English. Don’t mention your granddad; it’s extraneous. Definitely submit a recording (not a video) of your musical talent as a supplement–there’s a special form for it, and the music faculty will evaluate the supplement.</p>
<p>Self-employed people often get the short end of the stick in financial aid, unfortunately. What is your family’s annual pre-tax income, before business deductions? The FA office won’t care about previous years’ income, just the immediate previous year.</p>
<p>Hey- I hear Swat is great for non athletes like myself who want the intellectual and community atmosphere of a LAC, but not the bros. True? Here are my STATS:
CR 800
WR 800
M 690 (sucking sound)</p>
<p>I’ve taken advanced math with all A+s but am a slow worker on a timed test. Will take calc BC and hope for better scores. Hardest course load with A+ GPA. Again NO SPORTS. Head delegate model UN, Head of other activist/socially conscious groups in and out of school, started a free tutoring program-very successful. Also play piano since age 6, will submit a tape but I am no prodigy–not by a mile. Is Swat a good fit, can I get in? Maybe? ( I know its a long shot for everyone, but any info much appreciated.)</p>
<p>Thanks, Notanengineer. I wish I were better suited to athletics. Clearly it is more common than not to be good at both academics and athletics in many of the top LACS. I, unfortunately, do not possess such riches, and do not want to be at a school that highlights my limitations and leaves me feeling marginalized.</p>
<p>I doubt you would feel marginalized. It’s my understanding that Swatties are an open, accepting bunch–I don’t think they are going to care if you’re not doing athletics as a lot of them aren’t as well. Athletics are there, but athletics are everywhere. As I said, there is a far greater presence at NESCAC schools–which are still fine for people who don’t do a sport.</p>