<p>Hello,
I just discovered Swarthmore and wanted to know my chance and if it's even a possibility
So here we go,</p>
<p>GPA: 4.0 UW (school doesn't weight)
Rank: around 20/~400)
ACT: 31
AP/Honors: 17 (11 AP classes)
AP scores: World History (5), Biology (4)
HS: VERY competitive, blue ribbon school and one of the best in washington state, regularly sends many kids to the top schools
Leadership: sports captain and youth soccer coach
EC: soccer (hs&club), basketball, Peer Tutor, TATU (Teens Against Tobacco Use), ACE Mentoring, Track and Field
Volunteer: 200+ coaching soccer and ALS organization
Info: asian, female, washington state resident</p>
<p>I am looking at majoring in engineering (probably electrical). Does anyone know if I apply straight into the engineering dept? Also, I'm looking at possibly playing soccer if that helps anything</p>
<p>No, you don’t have to apply into Engineering. It’s a department and a major, just like any other major at Swarthmore. It’s actually Swarthmore’s most often mentioned major on applications; however, being a female interested in Engineering might be a bit of an edge.</p>
<p>Your extra-curricular list is focused on soccer. I would think that you would want to get in touch with the Swarthmore women’s soccer coach and see where that leads. I’d start with an e-mail introducing yourself and asking how you should procede in the recruiting process.</p>
<p>Here’s the homepage of the women’s soccer team:</p>
<p>[Swarthmore</a> College | | Women’s Soccer](<a href=“http://www.swarthmore.edu/x1294.xml]Swarthmore”>Swarthmore College Athletics - Official Athletics Website)</p>
<p>There are links on the left to find the coaches, a prospective players info questionnairre and so forth.</p>
<p>I just filled out the questionaire for soccer online.</p>
<p>Do you think I have a chance of getting in?</p>
<p>Sure. You have a chance. Obviously, your academics and high school transcript are good. It’s nearly impossible to give “chances” for Swarthmore based on a simple list of stats. In six years or so here, I’ve only told two people that they were a lock to get in (both got accepted).</p>
<p>Almost everyone who applies has good stats. The people who get accepted tend to be those who communicate a specific fit with Swarthmore, both in their own experiences and in something interesting they could bring to the campus community. I would suggest learning as much as you can about the school. Browsing or searching through the Phoenix and the website feature stories and videos is a good idea. The Why Swarthmore essay counts heavily.</p>
<p>Just from what you’ve listed, your “something interesting” seems to be soccer, which is why I suggested communicating with the coach. I think your tutoring and youth soccer coaching exerience could be an effective way of extending your sports interest into civic engagement. Might want to consider that for an essay topic.</p>
<p>On a mildly tangential note: Swarthmore has a high percentage of Asian American students (for an East Coast school) – about 17%. That suggests to me that there is no cap that could effect you, as I think there possibly could be at some schools.</p>