Swarthmore Chance Me

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi Everyone,

I really love Swarthmore College. I feel that their campus culture is very similar to my background and their Chinese program looks very rigorous. I am going to be living in China with the State Department on a full merit scholarship this coming school year 2015-2016. Because of this I want to apply fall early decision. I wanted to know if there are any Swatties or other students who could give me any input on my current educational status. Thank you in advanced!

Personal Background:
Caucasian

Home School / Dual enrolled at community college in NJ.

Intended Major: Chinese Language

Mother has no degree. Father has a community college associates and a University of Phoenix BA.

One younger sibling who is also home educated.

Applying Fall Early Decision

GPA: Home School + Community College Classes 3.5 unweighted. (All courses taught bought teacher’s with a BA or higher in field).

GPA Community College Classes Only: 4.0 (ENG 101, POL 103, MTH 107, ENG 102)

ACT Score- 29
ACT Essay- 8

SAT- 1840
CR 680, MTH 540, W-620
(I am retaking the SAT in June. I realize my math scores are especially low but, I have been taking a test prep and by the June date I will be finished with Algebra II).

SAT Subject Exams- Literature: 690 Math I: 600

Extra Curricular:
Ballet Pointe, Advanced Teen Tap, Harp (West Chester University Harp Ensemble), 4-H (Club Reporter+Vice President), Year Book Events and Clubs coordinator, Science Fair Competitor (County, Tri-County, and Regional Level), Mulan Boxing, Chinese School of South Jersey Teacher’s Assistant, Girl Scout (Service Unit Advisory Board + Certified Program Aid).

Work Experience: Ballet and Tap Teacher’s Assistant

Awards: Swarthmore College Social Responsibility in Science Award
B. Community College Partial Science Fair Scholarship
USDA Future Scientist Award
Girl Scouts Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. Three Leadership torches.
University of Pennsylvania Chinese STARTALK scholarship recipient
NSLI-Y Mandarin Full Scholarship Recipient Summer 2014, Year 2015
Chinese School of SJ First Place Non-native Speaker Speech Contest
4-H Bill Brader Award for Outstanding Public Presentations
3rd Place International Wushu- Kungfu Competition.

I have been to Junior Visit Day, and I am going to have an on campus interview in July. I love interviewing and I am very excited! I am writing my essay on using cooking to overcome a speech barrier between myself and my Chinese host mother last summer. I would really like to apply to Swarthmore in fall early decision pool. Any opinions are welcome!

2

Not even in the ballpark, sorry.
You are realistically 400 SAT points and 5 ACT composite points away from being competitive for what is one of the most selective LACs in the country.
You need to be looking at a totally different class of school.

3

@soze I am working on trying to raise my SAT score. According to college board my ACT score is in the bracket for Swarthmore. When I visited Swarthmore I was told they try to look at a student’s whole profile, not just their test scores.

4

You’re misinformed.
The 25th percentile for ACTs for admitted applicants is a 31. That means that 75% of admits had a 31 or more.
For a 29 you are likely in the 10th percentile or lower and keep in mind that includes hooked applicants.
Unhooked applicants with a 29 do not get into Swarthmore.
Even if you had a 33 it would still be a reach for you.
Like I said, you need to be looking at a very different class of school.