<p>I like Swarthmore a lot, but honestly, I'm starting to question whether I'll even have a chance, and if it's worth the amount of work I need to put in.</p>
<p>GPA: 3.6 (I take all honors/APs and get Bs in math/science...my school is also pretty competitive...I know everyone says that, but apparently we're best in the state?)
Rank: N/A
SAT: 2320; Math 790, Reading 750, Writing 780
SAT II: Math II - 760, US History - 710</p>
<p>ECs marching band (section leader and historian positions for 2 yr) and art (photographer for the school newspaper, and I'm in AP Studio art...very passionate, will probably send in a pretty strong supplement)....</p>
<p>That's about it though. I feel underqualified...I know with hard schools like Swarthmore it is hard to say whether one will get in or not, but do you think I have a chance of even getting in? And one big enough that it's worth applying? Be honest....thanks!</p>
<p>Swarthmore is the best thing that ever happened to me. No hyperbole. I was so intimidated by the super-human (and sometimes super-snarky) students on college confidential that I almost didn’t apply. I knew that I wasn’t perfect; I hadn’t devoted my entire adolescence to attending an elite college. Swarthmore more seemed so distant from me that I couldn’t believe that I would be accepted. Swarthmore wasn’t a part of my reality, so it became a fantasy space where everybody was perfect and imperfect people such as myself were barred.</p>
<p>If I hadn’t applied to Swarthmore . . . my life would be so, so different.</p>
<p>Believe me, you aren’t underqualified for the level of work that we do at Swarthmore. Swatties are far, far, far from perfect. Your biggest task is showing the admissions office what you can contribute to Swarthmore. I was in the 41% of my class junior year. My GPA went up slightly senior year, but I never looked at my senior rank. I certainly wasn’t in the top 10% or the top 20%. There have been thousands of applicants with higher grades and more interesting EC’s than I had, and they were denied. Not waitlisted, denied. There is a threshold where the grades matter less and your individuality matters more.</p>
<p>Swarthmore wants students who will appreciate and take advantage of Swarthmore’s resources. They want students who will improve themselves and improve Swarthmore.</p>
<p>If you really love Swarthmore, apply. Write a sincere essay. The admissions office isn’t giving lip service when they say that they look at every applicant holistically. Even if your chances are slim, why should you deny yourself any chance at all?</p>
<p>Frumens has given you great advice. Although she is not an art major, my daughter has taken four art classes at Swarthmore and could not speak more highly of her experience. Randal Exon has had a transforming influence on her life. Check out this Youtube on him: </p>
<p>Thanks for posting the link about Randall Exon. It was fun to see the photo in the middle of the piece showing him in 1982. I was a student then and part of a group that hired him. He (along with others in that department) has really transformed the art curriculum. There was no art major (only art history) when he started teaching at the college.</p>
<p>To the OP, if you have an interest, you should apply. The essay is obviously important. Swarthmore is definitely a school that cares about crafting an interesting mix of people.</p>