Chances, as a freshman?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Swarthmore College
1

<p>I'm a white female who's going to be a senior at a public school that doesn't rank, but I know I'm in the top ten percent. My GPA is 4.14 weighted; I don't know what it is unweighted. Here are my classes:</p>

<p>Freshman year: honors English, honors civics, geometry, physical science, Chinese, band.
Sophomore: honors English, AP US history, higher algebra, chemistry, Chinese, photography and band
Junior: AP Lit and Composition, AP European history, pre-calculus, IB Biology SL, IB Chinese SL, band
Senior: AP Language and composition, fiction/poetry, IB Psychology SL, calculus, physics, IB Chinese HL, band</p>

<p>Test scores:
ACT composite- 32
SAT CR- 720
SAT M- 740
SAT W-680 (I'm taking the SAT again in October and expect to improve.)
SAT II US history- 740
SAT II Literature- 800
5's on AP US hist, Lit and Euro tests</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
marching band for 3 years as a section leader for one year, theatre crew for three years with leadership position for one, pep band for three years, church volunteering for five+ years, working in my school writing center as a tutor for three years. Some other random clubs for a year each. I play flute and trombone.</p>

<p>Also:
-I did an extra-credit program junior year involving corresponding with a foreign partner and doing projects together contrasting the US and China.
-Another extra-credit class about writing junior year, which I plan to take again this year.
-National Merit: either Commended or Semifinalist, I'm not sure yet.
-I did a two-week summer program for creative writing at the University of Iowa.</p>

<p>What do you think- could I get in? Thanks for your time!</p>

2

<p>You are definitely in contention, but given Swat’s selectivity, no one is a slam-dunk. Applying ED would certainly be a plus, but you need to know what truly distinguishes Swarthmore from other top tier schools (it is not simply a Pennsylvania clone of Amherst or Williams) and convey that effectively (and articulately) to the admissions folks in your “Why Swarthmore” essay. Good luck!</p>

3

<p>I agree. It’s possible, but if you don’t get in, don’t get mad at yourself. They just have a very rich pool of students to choose from. It REALLY does help to understand what Swarthmore is about in particular–its quirky social-justicy Quaker vibe and super-intense academic standards–and to be able to articulate what makes Swat special in your “Why Swarthmore” essay (as Dad2 says above).</p>

4

<p>In your “Why Swarthmore” essay take your passion and write about it. Show how you would bring that passion to share at Swat. There are so many brillant kids graduating from all over the world (remember the applicant pool is international) so you must “grab” the admissions officer’s attention!</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>