<p>I went to visit Swarthmore earlier today, and I loved it. My main question has to do with the selectivity of the school. I know numbers-wise it is very hard to get into; however while I was there I had an interview. The admissions rep said the numbers are kind of deceiving. she said a lot of students apply simply because they are quaker, and it is a quaker school, or other reasons that really don't make sense. I believe this partly, mainly because the admissions rep said it was true, but I can't help but second guess it. She kept saying how closely Swarthmore fit my personality, values, and academic record, but why is admission rate so low? I am not sure if the lady who interviewed me was just really nice, but I feel fairly confident that I could get in to Swarthmore, which worries me that I am being overly confident.
I kind of want to hear from people who were rejected, and why they think they did get rejected. Also I'm wondering what current students think; do you believe that the admissions rep was right? are all the students perfect fits for this reason?</p>
<p>It is very hard to get into Swarthmore, and there is a big element of chance. More qualified people than could possibly attend get rejected, and sometimes it has to be for some pretty weak reasons. So never be too confident--if there is anything you can do to up your chances ... do it. </p>
<p>I don't really get your question. Is the admissions rep right that some students who apply do so because of the Quaker history? Probably. Are <em>all</em> students at Swat perfect fits? No (though quite a few are). </p>
<p>I think the admission rate is low for a basic reason: There are a huge number of high school kids in this country, a higher percentage than ever before are going to college and these college-bound students are applying to more schools than ever before. Swarthmore has a reputation as one of the top liberal arts schools in the country, so for people applying to a generic list of "the top" schools send apps to Swarthmore. Around ... 9000 people apply, I think? A bit less? And Swarthmore can only extend admits to around 7-900 of them.</p>
<p>Bill Mahyer (or is it Mayher?) in his book on college admissions tells a story of an admissions officer who told an interviewee not to apply because he didn't have the numbers to be accepted. The admissions officer was fired. The point is to remind us that admissions officers are not in the business of turning away applicants. They are trying to 'sell' their college to each potential applicant so they'll have the largest, most qualified pool of applicants to pick from. That's not bad, just something to keep in mind.</p>
<p>I do think if you think the interview went well and your stats are within the ball park, you have a good chance. If you really liked the school, apply and see what happens. </p>
<p>I'm having a hard time picturing a Quaker stampede of applications to any school, driving up the numbers. How large is the universe of Quaker seniors? Add to that the fact that Swarthmore, while Quaker in origin, isn't really Quaker anymore. I think there might be schools that are more actively Quaker if that is what a student is looking for. I love hearing a good story, though, and this one is certainly new to me. (Admit I'm not expert - just a parent.)</p>
<p>Swarthmore is extremely competetive (akin to Amherst, Williams and top Ivies), especially as applicants tend to be somewhat self-selected (not only bright: top grades/scores, etc., but perhaps more than any other college genuinely intellectual). There simply aren't enough members of the Society of Friends, perhaps on the order of 100,000 of all ages in the U.S. ("quaker" is colloquial) to meaningfully "pad" the applicant pool, and Swarthmore is non-sectarian. If the rep was being truthful, you are likely a competitive applicant at Swat (and Amherst, Pomona, Dartmouth, Yale, etc.).</p>
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She kept saying how closely Swarthmore fit my personality, values, and academic record, but why is admission rate so low? I am not sure if the lady who interviewed me was just really nice, but I feel fairly confident that I could get in to Swarthmore, which worries me that I am being overly confident.
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<p>Your interviewer probably was really nice. Most people at Swarthmore are pretty nice. It's that kind of place. It is also a good sign that she said you look like a good fit academically and otherwise -- a lot better than if she thought you were a bad fit!</p>
<p>On the other hand...</p>
<p>Admissions interviewers (do you know if this was a student interviewer?) are trained to not discourage applicants.</p>
<p>In five years of trying to answer "what are my chances" threads for Swarthmore applicants here, I've only thought (or said) "you're a lock" twice. As far out on a limb as I'll go otherwise is, "you are a very solid applicant who should be in the running". The acceptance rate this year was 15% initially and will be 16% after the waitlist is all wrapped up. Nobody should get cocky with those acceptance rates.</p>
<p>In general, there are two qualities that help with a Swarthmore application: </p>
<p>a) an obvious ability to handle (and even enjoy) demanding academic work. Even better if the enjoyment of "academics" extends beyond the traditional classroom in some way into something that might be described as "intellectual curiousity".</p>
<p>b) a well-researched understanding of what make Swarthmore tick and the ability to communicate that "fit" in the entire application package, including the "Why Swarthmore?" application. Swarthmore likes to enroll "Swatties". It makes for a pleasant community.</p>
<p>Beyond that, it would be difficult to overstate the importance Swarthmore places on diversity in admissions, which can impact any particular applicant's chances significantly.</p>
<p>Finally, I do not not believe that Quaker applications or acceptances have any great impact on Swarthmore admissions, except that some of the legacy admissions come from multi-generational Swarthmore families that may happen to be Quakers. The Quaker roots permeate many aspects of Swarthmore's culture, but the school has not been sectarian "Quaker" for almost a century now. During four years at Swarthmore, I'm not sure my daughter ever met a Quaker.</p>
<p>the last posting neglected to add:</p>
<p>c) a diversity hook.</p>
<p>good luck getting in, the odds are usually against you at 15%. the odds get longer if you're in the rd pool.</p>