<p>I'm trying to figure out exactly how much I need to worry about my "Why Swat?" essay. What are my chances? How important is the "Why Swat?" essay? How big of a difference would a good-match for Swat essay make vs. a perfect-match essay?</p>
<p>3.96 UW, 4,61 W, 1/90, most difficult courseload offered, very competitive prep school
SAT I 770 V, 780 M, SAT IIs: Math IIC:800, Biology(M): 800, Writing(760)
potential math/physics major
Current classes: Multivariable Calc & Diff Equations, AP World History, AP English, AP Computer Science, AP Physics, Honors Research, Vocal 1
Main ECs: debate, MUN, piano, research in cognitive science @ UCLA, math team (probably the weakest part of my app)
3 very strong recs
Short answer about how debate has helped prepare me for a career in math/science
Extended essay is just a conversation with my friends and me at lunch, us blending work/play, lots of math/physics puns, basically my friends bringing what we learned in the classroom into everyday conversation and having a lot of fun with it (I think this essay already does a good job of showing why I'd fit in well at Swat)</p>
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<p>Extended essay is just a conversation with my friends and me at lunch, us blending work/play, lots of math/physics puns, basically my friends bringing what we learned in the classroom into everyday conversation and having a lot of fun with it (I think this essay already does a good job of showing why I'd fit in well at Swat)</p>
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<p>Sounds like it to me.</p>
<p>I honestly don't think you have much to worry about, Marlgirl. Swarthmore is not going to turn down many kids with your class rank at a prep school and your test scores, unless the applicant comes across as either a complete "grind" or an insufferable jerk.</p>
<p>You don't have to have three world-class essays to get into Swarthmore, so don't put undue pressure on yourself. Just write about something that appeals to you about Swarthmore. It doesn't have to be a big deal. Have a little fun with it. The first sentence of my daughter's "Why Swarthmore?" essay was:</p>
<p>"Williams College would have been the easy choice."</p>
<p>The thing that worries me is that last year the girl who was #2 in the class and is somewhat similar to me on paper (strong grades, test scores, research in psychology, etc.) got waitlisted. I know she really liked Swat, so it wasn't an issue of her showing no interest. </p>
<p>They want us to send in the supp. before December 15th... how much of a difference does it make if I send in the app before/after that requested deadline?</p>
<p>You never really know what might blow someone out of the water without seeing the essays, recommendations, etc. I think the deathknell at Swat would be an air of pretentiousness or "puffery" on the application.</p>
<p>My daughter sent her supplement in first, followed by the remainder of the app before the deadline. It didn't seem to matter. I think they ask for the supplement first just to give them a head start in opening a file for each student, retrieving SAT scores, filing teacher recs and transcripts, etc.</p>
<p>I, too, don't think you would have a problem getting into Swarthmore. Swarthmore is very selective but not unpredictable, like Yale, say. If your grades are so good, you have done research, the only thing you need to worry about is not to screw up in the tone of your application. </p>
<p>I also know people who got rejected with the same kinds of stats. But what I know about them is that they tended to blanket all the super-selective colleges with apps. One kid send apps to all the ivies and the 5 top lacs etc. With that approach, he did get into many super-selectives and into Brown PLME etc. as well as into Amherst but not Swarthmore. My guess is, with sending 13 applications at least, he did not have time to tailor his application to one college. Then there are kids who think that because they got a 1600 in the SAT, the other negatives would not be considered against them in their application.</p>
<p>You have to send the supplement on time, but you can send the "Why S?" assay by the application deadline with the rest of your application.
You do sound like a perfect fit for Swat. I can't imagine you not getting in.</p>
<p>Could I just send in the supplement now then, the common app online, and then send in my graded english paper, research abstract, and Why Swat? essay later?</p>
<p>Yes, Marlgirl. You could do that. My daughter enclosed a cover letter with her supplement detailing what items were enclosed and which items would be sent under separate cover. </p>
<p>Then, when she sent her final app, another cover letter detailing what was in that envelop (application, essays, etc.) and which should have been received from other sources (high school transcript, recommendations, SAT scores, etc.).</p>
<p>She sent all of her essays with the final printed application.</p>
<p>The purpose of sending the supplement first is so that they can create a file folder for you. Then, as the other stuff arrives -- from the high school, from the College Board, from you -- they have a place to file it! Once the file folder has all the necessary stuff, they put it on an adcom's desk to read.</p>