Chances for Swarthmore?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Swarthmore College
1

<p>Academics
GPA: 3.9 (unweighted) / 5.7~ (weighted, scale unknown)
Class rank: top 1%
Academic Rigor: Took all main classes pre-AICE or AICE, two AP classes, and one regular (debate). Took most intensive classes available.
SAT: 780 reading, 680 math, 740 writing. Subject test scores (French, US History) not yet available</p>

<p>Extracurricular Activities
Piano for four-five years w/private tutor, had to stop lessons recently due to economic situation. Plan to submit a supplement which includes two compositions.
Amnesty International Club for four years. Somewhat active but had scheduling issues with piano.
English Honor Society last year and have reapplied this year. Huge waste of time.
French Honor Society freshman and sophomore year. Nominated to be Vice President, but the club was removed my junior year.
Debate my sophomore year, when I took the class. Advanced to semifinals at one competition. I could not participate in debate competitions if I was not in the class, so I was unable to continue debate. Nominated "Most Outstanding Novice" and had around 100 NFL points.
Euro Challenge: My freshman and sophomore year. I was a back-up member the first year and a major team member the next year. We advanced to the semifinals in New York. The competition was limited to freshmen and sophomores.</p>

<p>"Unofficial" extracurricular activities include teaching myself languages and doing some web design (ran a Pokemon website from 2005 to 2010, designed school website). I have been teaching myself Russian for three years.</p>

<p>Community Service
Total: 130~ hours (Amnesty, mock trials, random things + project)
Project: Helped create English-ASL PowerPoint dictionary for parents of deaf children.</p>

<p>Other?
Adobe Certified in using Flash and Photoshop CS3.
National Merit Commended Student.
National Hispanic Scholar.
Self-published a book that I had written for NaNoWriMo</p>

<p>Why Swarthmore?
When I was looking up back-up schools that were good for linguistics, I came across Swarthmore. Upon researching it, I started to like it. Lots of linguistics graduates, and the linguistics classes offered there seemed more 'core' than the ones offered at Georgetown. I just generally liked the feel of them - the sort of people that went there seemed to have a good sense of humor but were also serious. It seems to me that a lot of the people there are interested in social and political movements, which I like (it was the reason I joined Amnesty, after all). They offered a music program and music theory classes, something Georgetown was lacking. Even if I cannot enter the music program, I might still meet other people who are similar interested in music and maybe even continue to take classes there, if the gods smile down upon me.</p>

<p>In addition, their website mentions that they want people to become educated global citizens. The Cambridge Academy (my school program) places a huge emphasis on being a global citizen and being socially aware, so I imagine that I will find several like-minded people there, too. And their mascot is Phineas the Phoenix. That really needs no explanation - it is just awesome.</p>

<p>In conclusion!
Although my taxes may not say it, I definitely, definitely need student aid if I want to go out of state. Loans are out of the question. I am trying to apply to as many scholarships as possible, especially those that require essays. We have recently found ourselves in a very dire economic situation, although unfortunately our taxes will not reflect that and so we probably will not get aid. :c I am very grateful to anyone who responds! I very much want to go to this school. I did not just pick it out of a list of "top US colleges;" rather I found out about their linguistics program, their character, and then the whole high rank ended up being a pleasant surprise. I changed my first choice from Georgetown to this, so you can see that I am quite enthusiastic about it.</p>

2

<p>You sound like a great applicant! I thinking have a great shot :)</p>

3

<p>It’s nice to know that I’m not out of the race… although I must admit, I’m still nervous. I plan to submit a supplement. I’m going to send two compositions. Now, I’ve been playing piano for four years, but I don’t feel confident compared to other people who have been lucky enough to start since childhood. I like the two compositions I’m going to send: one is a rather pleasant, quiet waltz and the other is a rapid-fire piece about my love for randomly running through the halls of my school. Both, however, are not really very… classical? Most of my compositions are at least somewhat poppy in style (because that’s ultimately the kind of music I’d like to compose) and I don’t know if this would bring my application down.</p>

<p>Can anyone else tell me what they think?</p>

4

<p>I don’t know whether you seriously regard Swat as a “back up” school (by which you mean “safety”?). The school is extremely selective, with matriculating test scores, class rank, etc. absolutely overlapping the stats for HYPS, etc. That said, your stats look competitive- wouldn’t hurt to get the math SAT up a little. A (convincingly) demonstrated desire to attend Swat is important, therefore the “why Swarthmore” essay is pretty critical.</p>

5

<p>Thank you for your response! Swarthmore originally came up while looking back-up schools, but it’s now my number one choice. I am quite aware of its selectivity, which is why I was worried about whether I had a shot.</p>

<p>Ah, I was worried that my math score might be an impediment… truth be told, I am sick and tired of taking the SAT. Would raising my math score really help me that much, or should I put my efforts into other things? I definitely plan to write a killer essay, although obviously I can never be sure if they will appreciate my take on it… I do hope they will not look down upon the fact that what attracted me to Swarthmore out of all the other schools offering the same thing (liberal arts, academic rigor, social responsibility) was the personality of the school and people who go there.</p>

6

<p>I wouldn’t worry about the math score. There are plenty of Swat students with similar SAT profiles and every year a number of folks with perfect SAT scores don’t get in. Swat admissions looks at the whole package. I think that you are competitive for admission. Key to actually getting admitted will be the case you make with your Why Swarthmore essay (your comments here show that you are on your way to writing that essay), your letters of recommendation, and what you present in your application that stands out. You’ve got several things–the supplement you are thinking of sending, the self-published book, your ASL service project, etc. However, in a list format, these activities are disconnected from any passion that drives them. Swat students typically are passionate about something and that shows in their applications and helps the admissions committee identify the unique contributions they would make to Swarthmore if accepted. In compiling your application and writing your essay etc. make sure that your passion shows.</p>