<p>Hi all. I'm making some last minute decisions for ED and running up to the wire, I know, but I wanted to get your guys' opinion on my chances for the following schools:</p>
<p>SAT's are 1400 right now, but am retaking for the last time and am estimating another 50 pt. boost.</p>
<p>AP Eng Lit: 5
AP US History: 5</p>
<p>mediocre SAT II scores (2 690's and -ack!- 580)</p>
<p>around the top 15% at an incredibly small and rigorous NC highschool.
UW GPA: 3.85
W GPA: 4.25 ish
taking 2 AP's, 2 Honors and an extra history (b/c I LOVE history!) course this yr</p>
<p>Was homeschooled for years before I attended highschool
Several writing/poetry awards
Creative Writing Club (10, 11, 12)
Forensics Team Captain (member for 10, 11, 12) - lots of awards
Editor for school literary magaize (11, 12)
Swam year-round for awhile
Varsity letters for cross country and swimming
Played the violin for about 8 years (+fiddling)
Headmaster's List for all years in school - Inducted into NHS equivalent at my school this yr
A little volunteering at library, Operation Christmas Child, etc.</p>
<p>wonderful teacher recs, school report
great (but not brilliant) essay</p>
<p>(I've played the violin too for a long time, and have gotten into fiddling.../and/ I'm applying to Swat ED. We should both get in and start a band...)
Since I'm in your shoes, I can't offer much advice (I know, this was a thoroughly unhelpful response...) but that you should express as much interest as possible (not that you want to go, but /why/ you want to go). That's what people have told me, anway.
Good luck!
-Elizabeth</p>
<p>Hamilton....very good
Macalester...very good
Davidson...good
Haverford...good
Swarthmore ED...pretty good
Carleton...average (they tend to be all over the place)</p>
<p>It does help, thanks. I find it interesting how this post has been viewed 80 times, but I've only had 2 people respond (to whom I am very grateful). lol!</p>
<p>My D graduated from Swarthmore last year, and I believe it would help your chances if you emphasize your community service/volunteer work and your enthusiatic love of the place. They also are looking for leadership in their students, so if you focus some on those experiences, it should help. Have you been to Swat to interview? I know it is considered in the admissions process. My S is looking at Swat now, too, and we wish you good luck!</p>
<p>SWAT is a reach. The bar is high coming from a private school. Your scores and number of APs are low. Really try to raise the SATI. If the 580 SATII was writing or math, retake. Good luck.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input. Would it count to say in my defense that at my school it's virtually impossible to take AP's before 11th grade? I know I haven't taken many, but I've gotten 5's in all the ones I've taken. I'm also planning on retaking the SAT II (though not in time for ED, I'm afraid).</p>
<p>Wouldn't it be taken into consideration that I am coming from a private school - to my benefit? Just curious.</p>
<p>Have your counselor mention that in the recommendation. Also, being from a private school can help if the colleges are familiar with it. I agree with Momofthree...high light your volunteer and community service activities. Also, try to meet or chat with a few Swat representatives, that also helps.</p>
<p>Why don't you retake SAT IIs instead of SAT I? Those grades can hurt you, while 1400 is not that bad at all. Swarthmore has ED II if you need more time.</p>
<p>I'm retaking my SAT II's in December and can let Swarthmore know in my app that they're on the way, but I'm already committed to that SAT I next week.</p>
<p>A close friend of mine got into Swarthmore ED, and while his standardized test scores were higher than yours, his EC's weren't as strong. If I were you, I would milk the transition between home-schooling and high school for all it's worth...that could make for a pretty unique essay.</p>
<p>Also, I'm going to visit both Haverford and Swarthmore next week - what do you guys think are the similarities and differences between these schools? I know that Swarthmore is more academcially challenging, but what else? Anyone have any anecdotes?</p>
<p>My friend has said that there are big differences between the social scenes at Swarthmore and Haverford. Pretty much, Swarthmore isn't much of a party school, but Haverford kids go there for their "crazy parties." You get the idea :) He also says that Swarthmore's workload is MUCH touger than Haverford's, which is something to keep in mind.</p>