I’m planning on applying ED to either Oberlin, Swarthmore or Harvey Mudd and I’m wondering what my chances are. My top choice is Swarthmore, but I’m not sure I can get in. I feel pretty confident I could get into Oberlin ED. But I don’t think I have the grades and test scores for the other two.
-GPA 3.88 weighted and 3.5 unweighted
-ACT math-28 science-30 reading-23 english-27 composite-27
-Taken 7 AP classes
-Completed independent science research for 2 years at a local university and competed at national science fair (11-12)
-Very involved with my school’s top orchestra (9-12)
-I’m also in marching band and choir
-NHS member (11-12)
-Debate and forensics (9-10) placed at almost every tournament I went to including state
-I’m really into social justice activism, and did an internship at a non-profit over the summer where I’m the director of a campaign
-I’ve had 2 articles published in a social justice magazine
-I’m on the youth bored of directors for another non-profit
-My interviews went well, my college essays are good but not outstanding
I’m trying to figure out where I should apply ED. Please help!!!
Unfortunately, I think you are right about Swat and Mudd. And gonna be honest, it would be hugely difficult to succeed at those schools with that score/GPA in HS. The workload for students coming in with much higher scores is massive (my D2 was picking between them at the end of her search, and attends one now). They don’t want to admit students who will flounder academically. I think ED to Oberlin makes the most sense.
I agree with intparent about Swat and Mudd. Have you thought about Pitzer? It’s test optional and your social justice and non-profit interests would fit well there.
Not sure why you’re so confident of ED to Oberlin. A 27 on the ACT is below their middle range (28-32) and your grades are good but not outstanding. You’re also well below the range for Grinnell (29-33) and obviously Swat and Mudd are completely out of your league. Sorry.
Are you restesting in September or October? If not, you should - there’s still time to register for the October date.
Pitzer and Oberlin are reaches. HarveyMudd andSwarthmore are out of reach. Depending on whether you’re more into social justice or political involvement, I’d pick either Pitzer or Oberlin (respectively) for ED.
Grinnell will be a super reach too.
Hendrix is a match. Add St Olaf (high match/low reach), Beloit (match), Macalester (reach), Guilford (safety), Kalamazoo (match), Earlham (match), perhaps DePaul, Loyola-Chicago, or Elmhurst.