Swat Early Decision Chances ???

Colleges and Universities A-Z Swarthmore College
1

<p>Hi everyone! I’ve already applied to Swarthmore early decision, and I was hoping to get a better idea of how realistic my chances are at getting in before I really know on ecember 15th. I’ve read college confidential every once in awhile and thought it might be interesting to hear what you think. I’ve wanted to go to Swarthmore since I visited it in sophomore year and I felt that I really put a lot of time into the app. Thanks for your thoughts!</p>

<p>Sex/Race: Male
GPA: 4. 35 (AP/ IB classes weighted +1.0) My school is one of the best public schools in the country (at least according to newsweek), and my class is highly competitive
Rank: 1/ 389 (all above 4.0 are given share rank of 1)
SAT: 2360 (800 CR/ 800 M / 760 W)
SAT II: 790-US History / 800-World History / 750 - Literature
IB / AP tests: IB Economics 7, AP US Gov 5, AP US History 5, AP European History 5
IB Diploma Candidate, so aside from AP European history, all my classes in junior and senior year have been IB. </p>

<p>Essays: Common app was excellent (I wrote about my love of history), Why Swarthmore essay was simple and direct as I chose to talk about a few specific details of my decision
Recommendations: Should be good, both teachers have taught me for two years and write well</p>

<p>Activities:
Cross Country/ Indoor/ Outdoor track: Varsity. Extensive time commitment. 9th – 12th
Teen Portal – I’m an intern at my county’s website, which means I write articles accepted on a paid basis (10th- present)
It’s Academic Team – 9th – 10th. School and district competitions.
Arlington Cricketeers – 10th -12th. Founded high school cricket club (the sport, not the insect… )
National Honor Society – 10th -12th. Voted onto disciplinary committee in 11th grade.
Work/ run an independent bookstore on Sundays (10th- 12th)
Community Service (excluding NHS):
Landmark Volunteers: Volunteered intensively for two weeks in the summer of 2008 working to maintain historical buildings ( ~80 hours)
Experiment in International Living: Lived with two Turkish families in summer 2009 for total of 5 weeks, spent two of those weeks painting the village school (~90 hours)</p>

<p>Awards:
Tri-Athlete Award ( varsity athlete in three sports, 9th grade)
National Merit Semi-Finalist (12th)
Dartmouth Book Award (11th grade)
AP Scholar (12th)</p>

<p>Thanks again for your opinion!</p>

2

<p>Statistically you comply within the mean of acceptability. The question is, do you excite the admissions staff OR more importantly, if you do not, do you have an edge to the push and pull factor?</p>

<p>Clearly, you shall vault onto many a school of your choice. The question is, what do you want, outside of admission and where do you see yourself within an academic environment suitable to your interests? </p>

<p>What do you want besides an invitation?</p>

<p>Best wishes and Cheers!</p>

3

<p>How many people in your class have over a 4.0 GPA and thus are ranked #1?</p>

<p>Your numbers are obviously awesome.
Your ECs are not as strong, but still impressive.
Sounds like your essays and recs will be very strong.</p>

<p>You seem like you have a very strong chance. Good luck!</p>

4

<p>I’m an international student so I obviously do not know about the US high school system but when you say somebody’s EC is not so strong what do you mean by that? What is a strong EC then? I’m not attacking anyone I’m just curious to know.</p>

<p>I could never dream to have ECs like the US people on this board. Do you have a lot of free time besides class?</p>

5

<p>thanks for the responses! HorseRadish, i think my essays/ teacher recs all talked enthusiastically about my love of history as what id bring to swarthmore, so thats what im hoping will “excite” the admissions office.
PBush: I think around 20 people are ranked as #1 (having a gpa over 4.0). I think that id probably be in the top ten of those people based on my weighted gpa. also, do you think that the ec’s will hurt my chances significanty? thanks.</p>

6

<p>I love bob dylan. <333333 =)</p>

<p>oh and your numbers are off the charts.</p>

<p>i say your in… as long as you have something interesting that stands out on your app.</p>