<p>This may be getting trite, but if anyone could tell me my chances for being accepted into Swarthmore that would be great.</p>
<p>I will be going into my junior year of high school this year.
ACT: 32, but retaking this year
SAT: 2350
I have recieved 5's on both of the two AP exams I took last year, and plan to continue taking other exams.</p>
<p>I am actively involved in my school's National Honor Society, SHARP (Students Helping Adolescents Resist Pressures), YAR (Youth As Resources, a youth-led granting board), Varsity soccer team, junior varsity golf team, Math team, Alto Saxophone in the wind ensemble (since fifth grade), and I recently particpated in a HOBY seminar in June (Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership), where I was challenged to do at least 100 hours of community service this year. I have already fulfilled more than half of that commitment.</p>
<p>If anyone knows if I have a shot at being accepted or not, please let me know!</p>
<p>You certainly have the academic achievement in high school to be considered. Congratulations! However, almost everyone who applies to Swarthmore is academically qualified.</p>
<p>Anyone applying to highly competitive schools should recognize that there are no guarantees. The low percentage of acceptances at Swarthmore, especially recognizing the breakdown of class diversity, and academic statistics are at high end of competitive colleges. Check the numbers for the class of 2013.</p>
<p>Swarthmore has goals for building a class and evaluating applications that aren’t in lockstep with other schools. College Confidential posts about Swarthmore show that Swarthmore rejects applicants accepted at other top schools and that students turn down competitive schools for Swarthmore.</p>
<p>Swarthmore is sometimes described as a self-selecting school. It’s not for everyone. You should think about why you would like to attend Swarthmore (the application supplement has a Why Swarthmore? essay prompt.) Read some of the student posts on CC and you’ll see.</p>
<p>One last point - don’t apply to many schools. Make some decisions before you start. It’s much less work, cost, and stress. With your statistics you’ll have lots of potential choices. But the decision isn’t any easier than before you apply and you have less than a month to decide. Swarthmore targets April 1 for acceptances and April of your senior year will likely be very busy for you.</p>
<p>Thank you for your reply! Talk about college is building as I am getting ready to start my junior year, so it is good to know some of the things you listed. Ever since I began researching schools, Swathmore has stood out as a school that would fit well with my personality and activities. I will make sure that I emphasize this in the Why Swarthmore? essay prompt on the application supplement! Thank you again for all of your insight!</p>
<p>-Don’t retake the ACTs. Your SATs are exceptional (although you need 2 SAT IIs), and you should use them instead. If your ACTs are on your high school transcript, then have them taken off.</p>
<p>Your chances look good. Focus on originall, interesting, and even quirky essays, and having your letter of rec point out individual attributes that you’d like to present (they get a million generic letters a year). Basically, since you can’t brag about things yourself, let someone do it for you.</p>
<p>Finally, I’d focus on making sure you’re applying to schools you want to get into. You’re credentials are wonderful, make sure they’re put to good use.</p>
<p>My son is beginning his Freshman year at Swarthmore right now. He was admitted ED with an ACT of 31 and no SATs (he did have 4 SAT IIs of varying quality. He had taken the first one in Grade 8). Both his general essay and his Why Swarthmore essay emphasized his approach to learning and made it clear why Swarthmore was a good fit for him. We’ll never know for certain but I am quite convinced that it was the essays that led to his acceptance at Swarthmore.</p>
<p>Your numbers look fine - no need to retake anything. Take some SAT subject tests instead.
If you plan to play soccer in college, you should contact the coach.</p>