<p>My D and I visited Swarthmore back in Feb. At the end of the information session and tour we went back to the admissions office. We noticed some cards to fill in in order to get more information so she started to write her information. By the time she got to the question about which major she was interested in she was not in a good mood (not to make excuses but maybe hunger, exhaustion since it was our 4th college in 2 days) and she was still undecided as to her major, so I told her put undecided. She didn't, she put 'everything'. She dropped the card on our way out and I knew I should've picked it up but I left it there. It's been bothering me since then.
We both liked Swarthmore a lot, but have no idea if she's going to apply this fall (class of 2010).
My question: will this incident hurt her? Do they keep these cards in the student's file?</p>
<p>So did she turn the card in to the admissions office or not? Not entirely clear from your statement: “She dropped the card on our way out…but we left it there.”</p>
<p>In any case this is not going to be a deal breaker either way. It will certainly not hurt her if she turned in a card that said ‘everything’ as a probable major. That sounds like many Swatties. </p>
<p>If she didn’t turn in the info card, was there any other paper trail of your visit? If not, she should try to work something she saw, heard or learned about Swarthmore during her visit into her “Why Swarthmore?” essay. (That’s probably good advice for any applicant.)</p>
<p>The only time I’ve sensed a disadvantage to not visiting is for applicants who live relatively close. If you live in the Washington, DC - New York corridor and don’t take the time to visit, it can be viewed that you aren’t really interested in the college. There are ways to counteract that impression, but I think the admissions office does try to deduce who is serious about Swarthmore and who has just added it to a list of HYPS and the little Ivies.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply.
We left the card, we turned it in. And a couple of months later she got some information in the mail. I guess my fear was that they would take it as an offense or something that she wrote everything since she was in a bad mood and just wanted to get the whole thing over with.
She’s still undecided by the way. I didn’t go to college in this country and she’s my only child so I am a little worried how is she going to find a college if she doesn’t know what to study.</p>
<p>Good. Most college students don’t know what they are going to major in, and many of those who think they know end up changing their majors. In this respect U.S. education, and higher education, is much more flexible than many international educational systems, where young people concentrate on one field much earlier. In addition, many if not most U.S. colleges require students to take a certain number of courses outside of their major discipline as “distribution requirements.” At UK and European universities it is much less common for university students to take courses far afield of their major study.</p>
<p>From your daughter’s response on the card, it sounds like she’d be a perfect fit for what the adcom is looking for: enthusiastic about anything and everything! If anything, she did herself a service by her response (although I truly doubt they do anything with the information). As an aside, my D is a tourguide on campus, and she says that many students are nervous when, at the beginning of the tours, she goes around the circle and asks them to introduce themselves and state what they’re interested in – it doesn’t matter what they say AT ALL!!</p>
<p>acsvcr: I wouldn’t worry about it. It’s fine for students in high school to not know what they want to major in. Whoever sees the card might chuckle a bit at the response, but they won’t make a big deal about it. I don’t think putting down “everything” hurt or helped her.</p>
<p>absolutely not a worry! forgettaboutit.</p>
<p>acsvcr- Your daughter sounds like a dope. However, it won’t matter, if she has top flight credentials the card will be overlooked and if she doesn’t noone will care!</p>
<p>I"m thinking that batgirl3141 had not toured four colleges in two days with a teenaged girl, because acsvcr’s daughter’s behavior is fairly typical. There’s lots of good advice in the queue - most freshmen have no idea what major they want. It’s good to select a school that allows the student to check lots of different classes their first two years so they can make an educated guess. If the parents believe the student is stronger in math/science and could do well and have an interest in engineering, then look at schools that offer both engineering and liberal arts (Swat and Lafayette, as well as the major state universities, as examples). Otherwise, look for the campus and location that fit well with their personality.
The difference between the US and European systems is important to remember during the process of choosing a school.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice! I will keep all of it in mind during this process.
We are hispanic by the way. Latin american countries do have a higher education system similar to Europe in the sense that everyone usually chooses a major before enrolling in a college and from there you only take classes related to that major plus a few electives and humanities.</p>
<p>my son was admitted to Swat 2013, which was a great thrill indeed for him but he will be attending a college where he received merit money instead. This recession is just very scary and we were not eligible for much of Swat’s generous need aid.
Swarthmore is a wonderful institution. </p>
<p>Please know that batgirl calling your daughter a name is not typical on this board. You will find that most parents and students are extremely courteous and that we all wish you well as you find your daughter’s right place. (I also agree that many 18 year olds are interested in “everything.”) So am I. Wish I was starting all over again with the thrill of a big book of courses to pick from! My son is working up his schedule and declared yesterday that about ten of the majors were his favorites. Your daughter is not a dope. Swarthmore adcoms are not dour punitive people and they evaluate essays and your son or daughter’s records and interviews with great care. Swat is a fabulous college that serves our country well in its own special way, as it has for many chapters in US history.</p>
<p>I agree–don’t worry about this at all. If I read the card, I would read her answer as “everything!” (exclamation point implied) Most incoming Swarthmore students are enthusiastic about many things and want to explore a bit before declaring a major.
It would be seen as a positive attribute in an applicant.</p>
<p>To the OP of this thread, my son was accepted and is going to Swarthmore this fall. He had to fill out a bunch of forms for classes he wants to take and potential careers he may be interested in. His first choice: teaching math. His second choice: the C.I.A. UGH! I could only laugh when he told me that. I couldn’t think of two more different careers, but whatever he wants. So, my take on Swarthmore is that an answer of “everything” is right up their alley! I think your daughter only helped herself. I think Swarthmore wants kids who want to be there and it is their #1 choice in colleges. And, I do feel for you. Four colleges in two days is exhausting! Good luck in the college search, this is a fun and rewarding time for both kids and parents!</p>