<p>I've been noticing that there appears to be a fair amount of lurking posters who jump on discussions in this forum pretty immediately. I am one such case, I don't have any particular concerns or questions, but as I'm basically living this next month in anticipation of RD results (with Swarthmore being my top choice), checking this forum has become a bit of a channel for my internal mantra of college thoughts (and admissions anxieties). I thought it'd be nice to have a chat thread where us RD applicants can while away the time.</p>
<p>I figured I'd open by saying why Swarthmore is my first choice. I visited for the first time last summer, and in between the strikingly beautiful campus and the knowledge-focused academic atmosphere and the fact that it was one of the strong science liberal-arts schools it became the clear frontrunner. As I learned more about it and the Quaker foundation and the diversity I just wanted to go more. I actually really dug those little pamphlets they sent out that were speeches that professors had given, The Usefulness of Uselessness I think? I applied RD because I need to see the financial aid options, but otherwise I think I would have done ED. Bowdoin and Wesleyan are right behind it though, the end of March is going to be an exciting time for me.</p>