RD Chances

Colleges and Universities A-Z Swarthmore College
1

<p>Swarthmore is one of my top choices, here is some info for you to use to assess my chances:
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2220 (800 W (12 essay), 720 M, 700 R)
ACT: N/A
SAT II: 740 Bio-M, 700 Math IIC
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.96
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Our school doesn't rank, but my GC told me "well within the top 5%" (roughly 6-7 / 260)
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Biology 5, AP US History 5
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP Latin: Vergil, AP US Government, AP Statistics, Honors English (the most rigorous schedule possible--only about 5 students in the class w/ this rigorous a schedule)</p>

<p>Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): I was very involved and had several leadership positions (i.e. tutoring coordinator of NHS)
Job/Work Experience: Worked as a camp councilor and also at a local beach during the summer.
Volunteer/Community service: Mainly tutoring; I also do other general stuff.
Essays: Good.
Teacher Recommendation: Excellent.
Counselor Rec: Excellent.
Interview: Having it tomorrow.</p>

<p>Other:
Country (if international applicant): US
School Type: Public (highly competitive)
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: $100,000 - $150,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): --</p>

<p>Comments: Although I have a class size of 260, 6 have already gotten into MIT (some ranked lower than me), 4 to UChicago, 2 to Cornell, several to Bowdoin and Middlebury and Wesleyan as well.</p>

2

<p>^^
I “saw” you a lot on the Dartmouth forums! I think you have a good chance. But I don’t really know since I’m applying to Swat RD as well. Good luck!</p>

3

<p>Wow. These are some impressive stats. Then again, Swarthmore is one of those schools you just never know –*it’s the type of school that rejects students of Ivy League material.</p>

<p>On the other hand, your extra-curriculars don’t seem to be quite as impressive. That being said, I think it really depends on the quality of your essays. Swarthmore is described by some authorities as “one of the most intellectual schools in the nation,” so the numbers will only do half the convincing. If your essays come across as drab and unoriginal, they could reject you in an instant. If your essays are a refreshing sight amongst the myriads of applications the school has to sit through, then I have a good feeling the essays can make up for any perceived weaknesses.</p>