ED Chances

Colleges and Universities A-Z Swarthmore College
1

<p>Hey,</p>

<p>I am a white male from NC who submitted my application for ED consideration a few weeks ago, and is nervously passing the time awaiting even confirmation of receiving it. I was wondering how I stack up with some of the other applicants, and if I should bother hoping for success.</p>

<p>Here is stuff about me:</p>

<p>I go to a competitive public school with about 1700 students
Class Rank: 18/369, or top 5%
GPA: 4.72w, 3.97u
SAT I: 800 Reading, 710 Math, 710 Writing for a 2220 or a 1510.
SAT II: 800 Math 2, 790 Physics, 680 Latin
ACT: Coming out in a few days
(I know this doesn't count for much, but I am also a NMSQT Semi-Finalist)</p>

<p>AP Scores:
5-BC Calculus
5-Physics B
5-Latin Literature: Catullus</p>

<p>Courses this year:
AP English Literature
AP Latin Literature: Vergil
AP Physics C: Electricity and Mechanics
AP Environmental Science
AP Statistics
US History
Journalism 1</p>

<p>Over my HS Career:
9 Honors Classes
8 AP Classes
Only B in Honors Latin 3, first semester of Freshmen year</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Students for Academic Integrity and Leadership (9-12, President 12)
Speech and Debate (11-12)
Temple Youth Group (9-12, Social Action Vice President 12)
Synagogue Religious School Assistant Teacher (9-11)
Synagogue Religious School Teacher (12)
National Honor Society (11-12, Secretary 12)
Cross Country/Track and Field (9-11)
Freshmen Mentor (12)
Latin Club/Latin Honor Society (9-12)
Teen Representative on Synagogue Religious Practices Committee (9-12)</p>

<p>I am interested in studying Engineering at Swarthmore, and have visited and interviewed there.</p>

<p>As far as the application goes, I believe that my essay is very unique and creative, but portrays my primary passion for learning in a curious, pluralistic environment very well.
My counselor is also the advisor for NHS, so she knows me on a very personal level and can attest to my leadership. Also, both teacher recs are strong, with one being particularly strong, I believe.</p>

<p>Do I stand a decent shot, and does anyone know when they notify applicants of what materials they have recieved from us?</p>

<p>Thanks for any replies!</p>

2

<p>In my humble opinion, you will easily get in. Your stats are great, the APs are really good, as is the other Latin experience, and the fact that your essay was important to you hopefully will show in your application.</p>

<p>Just one person's opinion, who went through ED with my son who is a student there.</p>

<p>Probably interesteddad would have more detailed analysis if he is out there?</p>

3

<p>
[quote]
Do I stand a decent shot

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Yes. I think somewhere in the decent shot/good shot range sounds about right.</p>

<p>Obviously, your "stats", courseload, class rank, and all the measurables are all strong across the board.</p>

<p>If I see a weakness, it's perhaps that you don't have a standout EC interest or activity that just jumps off the page. If you had your stats and had started an orphanage for AIDS children in Africa, then we'd be talking... <grin></grin></p>

<p>However, your involvement in religious activities shows a consistent interest, which will be seen as a positive. I'm not really clear on what the Students for Academic Integrity is, so I may be selling you short on that one.</p>

<p>On the plus side, you visited, you are applying Early Decision, your recs and essays sound good, and you expressed an interest in Engineering, which is a department Swarthmore gives a nudge for in admissions.</p>

<p>I've only told two ED applicants in three years that they were a sure bet to get accepted (and, believe me, they were sure bets -- one had outstanding stats, a standout EC that made me go "woah, cool", and a quadruple legacy; the other a high stat/high class rank URM from a very competitive Atlanta high school), so I won't go there because I don't think it's fair. You could call me a "tough grader".</p>

<p>However, I don't see any reason you should feel pessimistic about your chances. Decent shot sounds about right...which is pretty good. I put my daughter's chances at "decent shot" and she got in.</p>

<p>Welcome to the waiting club. When my daughter applied ED, it felt like the old "she loves me, she loves me" not routine with the daisy petals. One day we felt optimistic, the next day pessimistic, and so on and so forth until Dec. 15th rolled around. Kind of unnerving knowing that your app is sitting there, isn't it?</p>

4

<p>Hey,</p>

<p>Thank you for your replies.
Students for Academic Integrity and Leadership is probably my most important interest/EC. It is a group that was formed my freshman year which works to promote a culture of Academic Honesty and Ethics in the school enviornment. During my involvement, I have worked to provide outreach to the Middle Schools, and have presented at the National Conference on Academic Integrity run by the Center for Academic Integrity. Additionally, this year, as President, I have overseen the resolution of every reported case of a violation of the Honor Code. This involves mediation between the student and teacher, which I have run and overseen, making sure that the infraction is reported to their counselor, and training our members on dispute settlement to deal with cases. Another aspect of what I have worked on is getting people from the outside community to come and talk to the school about Academic Integrity in a larger context. The advisor for this group is also the Latin teacher, whom I have known for four years. I know that she will talk extensively about my leadership and dedication to this club, which I think is another positive in my favor.</p>

<p>Thanks for any replies!</p>

5

<p>OK interesteddad is always the voice of reason. I am always so impressed with the quality of applicants that Swarthmore gets. Your involvement with the Students for Academic Integrity and Leadership to me is very impressive. </p>

<p>Anyhow, good luck and please keep us posted on the Swarthmore board. Whatever happens, I think you will be successful wherever you go. What other schools have you looked at?</p>

6

<p>
[quote]
More Info on Students for Academic Integrity and Leadership

[/quote]
</p>

<p>OK. That's definitely solid leadership. Assuming that you amplified that in the "most meaningful activity" short answer (or somewhere on the app), that sounds like something Swarthmore would appreciate. The school expects students to play an active role in running the place. That leadership position has "Swattie" written all over it. I'd guess that your recommendations are strong.</p>

<p>I'd probably nudge more towards "good" from "decent", now. </p>

<p>Understand that I try to not build up expectations. There are very few sure bets and I don't think it's fair to students to have everyone telling them that they are "in", no sweat. You have to be prepared to say "oh well, it wasn't meant to be" if you move on to the other great schools on your list. But, I don't see anything that would blow you out of the water in the ED round. Looks like a solid application.</p>

7

<p>I think your profile +ED should get you in if you wrote reasonably good essays.</p>