Hi everyone!
I am a current junior at a private rigorus high school in suburban Pennsylvania. Swarthmore is one of my top choices, but I can’t apply ED because of financial reasons, and I am a white female who will be the minority at Swarthmore. I want to know what I can do to be a soild applicant in their pool, and also possibly be considered for the Mccabe scholarship (I live in Chester County)
Stats:
GPA: 4.197 (W) 4.0 (UW)
SAT: Currently around a 1340- hope to get it up to a 1450 with a few months of prep
Course Load: 3 APs this year, 3 APs next year, everything else honors
Extra curriculars: XC (4 years), Swimming (4 years- state champions), Track (2 years), Chorus (3 years, leadership position), Auditioned chamber choir (2 years, leadership position), Mock Trial (3 years, leadership position), Music Ministry (4 years, leadership), Model UN (4 years), Latin Club (4 years), Math League (3 years), Annenberg Science Symposium (2 years)
Honors Societies: NHS, Tri-M Music Honors, Math Honors, Latin Honors (possible leadership senior year)
Job Experience: Lifeguard (2 years) Starbucks Barista (1 year)
Volunteer Work: 5 hours per week at local hospital
Summer Activities: I applied for a competitive internship at CHOP for this summer, hoping to hear back soon!
I am also beginning my own medicine club at school next year for anyone interested in going into that field. I want to major in either biochemistry or biomedical engineering as a pre med with hopes of pursuing med school in my future. If you could tell me (honestly) if Swarthmore and the Mccabe are realistic goals for me and also let me know what I could do now for my application to stand out later.
The most important thing for many AOs is that you take the most rigorous course load possible and do well in the classes. Coming from a private rigorous high school and taking a course load of: 3 APs this year, 3 APs next year, everything else honors, does not on it’s face seem that you are taking the most rigorous course load possible. If it is only possible for you to take 3 AP classes your senior year, they say they will not hold that against you. But, if you have the opportunity to take more, and chose not to do so, they will hold that against you.
Why not apply ED to Swarthmore as it is well known for generous financial aid? Even if you did not get what you expect, they will free you from the binding agreement. Top LACs like Swarthmore value personalities and commitment to their school more than other schools. You can take a class or have an interview at Swarthmore. You can also ask your counselor to nominate you for Discover Swarthmore. Last but not least, I strongly encourage you to spend time on the Why Swarthmore essay which has a 250 words limit.
Why not apply ED to Swarthmore as it is well known for generous financial aid? There is a significant difference between ED and RD for Swarthmore (approximately 30% vs 10%). Top LACs like Swarthmore value personalities and commitment more than any other school due to the small student body. You can take a class or have an interview at Swarthmore. You can also ask your counselor to nominate you for Discover Swarthmore. Last but not least, I strongly encourage you to spend time on the Why Swarthmore essay which has a 250 words limit.
Listen…I tell this to my juniors every day…When you have huge financial need, applying early will help you more than the college you get into as an early applicant. Swarthmore is need blind for US nationals, so if they accept you in early, they will definitely fulfill your need. I was an international who got in early, and they have given me generous FA. So maybe you should be more concerned with whether Swarthmore is right fit or not, rather than worrying about FA.
Use the Net Price Calculator…it is accurate.
If money is an issue consider a college with merit aid. Also don’t forget state colleges with biomed … Penn State and Pitt. Does Penn State Schreyer still offer a tuition discount? McCabe sound like a long shot … McCabe recipients have near-800s.