Chances???

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<p>Hi im looking for opinions on my chances at Swarthmore </p>

<p>Male/Indian/PA
First generation in college in US</p>

<p>GPA: 3.86 UW 4.06W
Class rank 28/320</p>

<p>Senior year classes:
AP Calc
AP english literature
AP Economics
AP Biology
AP Psychology
Spanish 5</p>

<p>SAT: 2170 720M 720CR 730W (maybe retake)
SATII: 710 US History 660 MathIIC(retake in fall along with one more prob lit)
PSAT: 208 nationally commended i think???</p>

<p>EC'S
Varsity Basketball 3yrs- (MVP junior year, state qualifier, district champs)
Varsity Track/Field 2yrs
Karate 6yrs- second degree black belt
Student government- Class secretary junior year/Class senator senior year
Key club- 3 years
National Honors Society 2yrs hopefully secretary senior year
Model Congress 1yr
Growing up in a household of doctor's, i have taken great interest in the field of medicine and therefore look to follow it in the future.
100+ hrs volunteer work in hospital(ER attendant/ patient discharge)
Summer job in doctor's office 20+hrs a week getting to know the intricacies of the profession</p>

<p>will also have very solid essays/recs</p>

<p>you have a decent chance, but if Swarthmore is your first choice, you might want to apply ED to have a better chance. all of your stats are "good" but there's nothing exceptional, IMO (except for the hospital volunteer work and job experience).</p>

<p>I would be careful to assert the "first generation to be in college in the US" in your application. Essentially, they are looking for people who are the first generation to be in college, period, with no one ever having gone to college in the family. With a parent or parents, uncles etc. as doctors, you don't fall into that category and Swarthmore will not pay any attention to it. :)
Just imho. It might also look like you are trying to pad your resume with nothing. Your stats are good and you have a fair chance, otherwise, but as Interesteddad said in another 'chance me' thread, it is hard to say.</p>

<p>Rayman:</p>

<p>You should get in touch with the basketball coach at Swarthmore as soon as you can. As MVP of your high school team, you might well get an admissions boost (of one kind or another). That process starts with the coach.</p>

<p>To all of this year's "chances": the chances of admissions at Swarthmore increase for students who really get to know the college through researching the school, visiting campus, talking with students, faculty, and alumni, etc. That kind of knowledge is a big help in building a better application, i.e. an application that communicates enthusiasm for how well "your stuff" meshes with the things that make Swarthmore unique. A winning application is one that makes the admissions committee say, "I can see this kid as a Swattie, contributing to campus life in some way".</p>

<p>As you think about your applications, don't be afraid to highlight things that make you stand out from a mountain of similarly qualified applicants, even if those things are fun, quirky, reflective, inquisitive, passionate, or whatever.</p>