<p>Hey everyone.
So Swarthmore "early writes" (essentially likely letters) went out, and I didn't get one. Additionally, I was rejected from MIT yesterday (after being deferred EA), so I'm feeling kind of insecure.
If I'm not in the top of the applicant pool for somewhere like Swarthmore (obviously a great school, but somewhat less competitive than high ivies), is it unlikely that I'd get into places like HYPS? Yale is my top choice, but I'm quickly losing hope.
Am I being too cynical, or is it appropriate that I'm getting realistic about my chances?
(Anecdotal info is valued - do you know anyone who got into HYPS after lack of a likely from other places?)
Thanks for any opinions.</p>
<p>No because every applicant will be viewed differently by each college, because they are, after all, different colleges with different admissions officers.</p>
<p>Early writes and likely letters are, in my opinion, some of the most annoying and arbitrary additions to the college admissions process. My friend received an early write from Swarthmore but not from Oberlin. Both are fantastic schools, yet from a purely data driven viewpoint, Swarthmore is much more competitive. </p>
<p>Really, all an early write says is that one specific school wants you. Do not infer anything about your chances at other schools.</p>
<p>You can’t consider those schools peer institutions simply by virtue of their acceptance rates. As a tiny liberal arts college, Swarthmore is more concerned with fit than just accepting the most accomplished class. Perhaps you didn’t strike them as an auto-admit not because you were underqualified but because they didn’t get that “Swarthmore!” vibe from you–and they shouldn’t, since the other schools you applied to don’t share that much with Swat other than prestige. </p>
<p>So don’t worry! I imagine you’ll be fine, especially if you have match and safety schools lined up.</p>
<p>It’s not about being at the top of the list, it’s about being ON the list. I wouldn’t care if I were the last person accepted to an Ivy so long as I was accepted.</p>
<p>I agree with glasses–especially at a small school, the admissions officers spend a lot of time crafting a class. If you didn’t seem like someone who would really want to go to Swarthmore or fit in there–or if they already had three folk violinists or long jumpers or whatever-- they might pass you over, whereas at a larger school, there might be room for you.</p>