So what are my chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Swarthmore College
1

<p>GPA:
So my GPA is a strange story. I attended an extremely difficult private school my freshman year, which did not offer honors classes. I then switched into a public school which weights honors classes. So on my transcript it appears like I got mediocre grades in regular classes, pulling my GPA down farther than it should be. Apparently it somehow also affects my unweighted GPA (my counselor explained why, I don't entirely understand why). Either way, this is an inaccurate reflection of my academic performance and my counselor is writing a letter to each college I apply to explaining the situation. According to her, without this error I should be in the top 20% of my class.</p>

<p>Unweighted: 3.4
Weighted: 3.9</p>

<p>Tests:</p>

<p>SAT: First try- 2060, plan on retaking it
CR: 700
M: 650
W: 710</p>

<p>ACT: 33</p>

<p>SAT II:
US History: 710
Plan on taking Math I and Literature</p>

<p>PSAT: Semifinalist, most likely not finalist</p>

<p>Classes: Please see note under GPA for info on my freshman year</p>

<p>Sophomore Year: (all other classes honors)
AP US History (5)</p>

<p>Junior Year: (all other classes honors)
AP Microeconomics
AP Macroeconomics
AP Chemistry</p>

<p>Senior Year: (all other classes honors/enrollment in a college)
AP English
AP Physics
AP Statistics
AP Spanish 5
AP Calculus AB
AP Government</p>

<p>Awards:
Two time national finalist at the North South Foundation senior vocabulary bee, two time 1st place winner at the regional level
Three time state finalist for National History Day, one time national finalist
Two time Merit Award (I think this is unique to my school?) winner
NHS Member (and running for vice president)
Semifinalist for National Merit Scholarship
Latin Award Magna Cum Laude </p>

<p>Summer Programs:
Interlochen Center of the Arts- Creative Writing student
Center for Talent Development, Northwestern- AP Chemistry
Volunteered for a nursing home
This summer: NYLF Medicine @ Boston, University of Chicago Research in Biology program</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Freshman year:
EAT (Environmental Action Team)
Think Tank (History club)
National History Day state finalist
Art in Action
Charter (school newspaper)
Ozaukee Washington Land Trust Youth Representative
JV Volleyball
Piano</p>

<p>Sophomore year:
SMART Team (Students Modeling a Research Topic, if you want more info, just ask) leading member
Led a V-Day production
Borealis editor (literary magazine)
Club United senior member
Ozaukee Washington Land Trust Youth Representative
Taekwondo
Piano</p>

<p>Junior year:
The 9th Dimension: Vice President (Student led tutoring program with over 50 tutors)
SMART Team senior member
Asian Culture Club committee head
Club United senior member
National History Day club President, state and national finalist
Stage crew
Borealis editor
Ozaukee Washington Land Trust Youth Representative
National Honor Society member
Taekwondo
Piano</p>

<p>I have also led a creative writing website where teenagers can connect and improve each other's work since I was ten and plan on writing an essay on the experience.</p>

<p>I am a female minority student. </p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

2

<p>I give you a 22% chance of being admitted.</p>

3

<p>There’s a 22% chance that I read that whole post. Can you summarize or condense it? Succinct writing will be of use to you in the near future…</p>

4

<p>Good grades, good scores, good extracurricular activities. But then again, almost every other applicant has those stats. </p>

<p>So what makes you interesting? Why are you unique and quirky? What will you do to change the world? - That’s what you need to tell the admissions people ;)</p>

5

<p>

</p>

<p>Highlighted the above in case people didn’t see it at the bottom of your post.</p>

<p>You have great chances!</p>

6

<p>Thanks, but I should clarify- I’m Indian. haha. Not quite the same.</p>

7

<p>that doesn’t count as a minority in college admissions. so… correction: ‘in the REAL WORLD i’m a minority, but in terms of college admissions i’m ethnically screwed’</p>

<p>here’s the thing. you should probably retake because your scores aren’t as competitive as they could be. sincerity and passion in your application and your essay are key. if you can sell yourself well then you have a shot… a good salesman can sell a paperbag. just keep that in mind.</p>

8

<p>I agree with the retake idea. Better scores would help your chances. If you pwnt the SATs and left everything else the same, your chances would double.</p>

9

<p>You have an ACT of 33, there is no need for you to retake anything. That is a great number, highly competative. Visit Swat, meet with faculty, interview. Make sure your essays reflect why Swat is a good fit for YOU.</p>

10

<p>oh i missed the ACT score. that’s totally fine. i agree with nursekay!</p>

11

<p>Swarthmore is big on fit–I agree with those who say that it’s important for you to figure out what it is that you would want out of Swarthmore in particular, because it’s a very unique place.</p>

12

<p>The only (inexpert) advice that I can give you is to make sure you format your resume to your best advantage! You have great ECs, but you have changed them up a bit. A lot of them are consistent though (school newspaper to lit mag, for example)- just show that you have direction!
Good luck! :)</p>

13

<p>I think that you have a strong chance. I’d recommend showcasing your creative writing. My daughter (now at Swat) submitted a portfolio of two poems and a short story. Combined with a very strong “Why Swat?” essay, on which you also need to focus, that put her over the top.</p>