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maybe not loners, people more satisfied in themselves and a smaller circle of friends
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<p>That's probably the more accurate description. My daughter was extremely social in high school, and that's the impression I have gotten from most of her Swarthmore friends. However, I do think that they tend to be the kids who hung out with the "smart kids" and weren't into the high school party/drinking scene. I think that one reason they like Swarthmore so much is that they just pick up right where they left off with a new circle of friends. Actually, the most quiet, non-social of my daughter's high school friends is at Williams and, from the sounds of it, she's felt a bit marginalized by the drinking in her freshmen entry. Early on, she described the drinking as "crazy". Over break, she told my daughter that she often spends Saturday nights in her room -- something that is unfathomable for the kids on my daughter's hall at Swarthmore, who are always coming up with something to do in a big herd. If anything, the social nature of Swarthmore is probably good for the loners because they get swept up in a group that is not exclusively focused around drinking and many of the kids who do drink at the parties are not getting totally trashed.</p>
<p>ID your description of your daughter sounds just like my s. I take that as a good sign. He's an outgoing and witty brainiac! Hangs out w/ other smart kids an isn't into drinking. We're full steam ahead thanks to your input! I'm happy with our plans, and I'll let you know what happens.
andi
Thanks again for all of your ideas and support.</p>
<p>Did you submit an audio tape of two piano pieces with the application? According to the music department info for prospective students, that is required for music to be considered as a "plus" in admissions. </p>
<p>If you didn't, I would short circuit the system and overnight a recording to the music department AND the admissions office.</p>
<p>Thanks. We'll add that to our list of emergency actions. We've gotten busy already. It may be a long shot but we're giving it everything we've got. Revisiting the Swat site revived his spirits and got him recharged.</p>
<p>Swarthmore's music department says that if you want musical performance to be considered in admissions, you don't have to audition, but you have to send a tape with the application. Since the app focused on being an accomplished pianist and there was no tape, the admissions office was left hung out to dry trying to evaluate the application. They need to go to the music department and ask, "Is this guy any good?" and all the music department could do is shrug and say, "beats me... We never got a tape."</p>
<p>Actually, I would have used piano as intro to start an e-mail exchange last summer with the head of the music department and then arranged to meet with them and the main piano instructor on an overnight visit. He's a concert pianist who teaches at Swat and is also head of the piano department at the Bryn Mawr Conservatory. For next year's parents, that's how you "work" a school (and, as a valuable collateral benefit, find out if it's even the right school!). Once you know what the app is going to feature (prospective majors, ECs, etc.), start poking around doing web searches to learn who's who, read relevant articles in the school paper. You can uncover some important information.</p>
<p>Anyway, the good news is that you've certainly got some bullets left in your gun.</p>
<p>I guess the other news is that I now know the GCs at a top Mass public school aren't worth much more than the GCs at an average Mass public school!</p>
<p>Thanks ID. Good to know as part of the 'what went wrong?' investigation. Unfortunately because we had read in certain school's info packets that they 'didn't want tapes submitted' and from another person, not the GC who said that it would be a wasted effort because they wouldn't be listened to, we didn't send anything in. We figured his transcript of getting selected to play on 'From the Top,' 5 or 6 summers at Chamber music camp, Saturday classes for years at a top music school, concerto comp winner, three years in an award winning vocal group etc etc would speak for itself. I mean can't they discern from that that he must have ability and a passion for music?
We did walk around the music department there and he met with a friend from one of the music camps who works in the Swat music library. We learned a lot from her. (as a matter of fact, that's who encouraged him to come to Swat in the first place, along with a camp counselor who was a Swat alum. They had both told him about the chamber music opportunities)
Water under the bridge now, however. He's addressing some of these issues, the 'personality' thing, and more recent updates such as that he won an engineering comp at school, in part of his campaign for reversal.
GC is calling this a.m.</p>
<p>Andi,
I think in a school that offers reviewing music tapes not sending a tape works against you. They may think that the performer is not as good as he seems on paper if he chose not to submit a recording. Also, the only people who can evaluate and appreciate his ability (the music dept) don't get the opportunity to do so. When someone in the music (or Art, or any other) department thinks favorably about submitted material, it moves your application from the general pile of qualified candidates into a pile of applicants someone at the college actually wants, which is a HUGE leg up. The good news is that you can still do that. I would also suggest contacting your son's friend (who works for music dept and encouraged you son to apply), ask her to talk to someone influential in the department and let them know about your son's situation. This kind of things can make all the difference, especially at a small place like Swarthmore...</p>
<p>Our piece of anecdotal evidence would support this. D does ballet. The places where we sent CD/photo she was accepted. The places where we did not she was waitlisted. Now, I'm first to admit that legacy in one case might be the true root cause, development and strong high school relationship in another. But certainly our experience doesn't refute this theory. </p>
<p>I don't think they took her because they want a future ballerina to graduate from their schools - frankly she has injuries that will prevent that. But, in her case, her personality comes through in her dancing. Same could be true of music, even if not of "professional caliber", for these schools that actually request and/or welcome materials.</p>
<p>God for an AI program that could scan this board and turn anecdotes into data....Oh wait, I guess that AI program must be the brains of our esteemed cc hosts:)</p>
<p>Andi, Has your son called them yet? And what happened when the GC called?????</p>
<p>Regarding the issue of sending too many things, if they don't want to read a particular rec, for example, they just won't read it. But I can't see them being annoyed that it was sent.</p>
<p>She has called, but the last time I spoke with her she hadn't heard back. I'm on her case though. However we're sending some great stuff that we should have sent in the first place, and will call after they've gotten things. Keep your fingers crossed!!!!!!!!</p>
<p>Andi - I have been checking the Swarthmore board hoping for the chance to see how your S's crusade is going. Crusade, hmmm. Now I have an image of you helmeted, carrying a flag that waves in the wind...Glad to hear dispatches from the front lines. Rooting for you out here on the West Coast.</p>
<p>Thanks Alumother we're marching right along flags unfurled!!! (but not getting our hopes up too high this time around) Did your d make her decision yet? I'll keep everyone posted.</p>
<p>No decision in our house yet. Will be down to the wire and involve flying places and driving places. I sense the drama is not over yet. Hmm. D has always liked drama. </p>
<p>Good idea on the hopes just in case and again I clash my sword on my shield for you.</p>
<p>a question for those of you following s's plight. He has submitted everything he had planned to submit and now has to call. He hasn't called for two reasons 1. His GC told him that there was 'no hurry' :eek: 2. He's concerned that they're going to ask him something about his status at other schools. </p>
<p>Re #1 I'm not disputing with him about his GC's comment because I don't want to create any more tension around here. </p>
<p>Re #2 I don't know what to tell him. Does anyone think that the adcom would ask him about this? And if so how can he both honestly and tactfully answer? His GC told him to say that he hasn't heard, but that's as good as saying that he's wait-listed everwhere because most schools have replied by now. He's concerned about looking like a loser and having them ask the question of themselves 'what 's wrong with him that we aren't seeing?'</p>
<p>Andi, I could be wrong but I doubt they would ask him his status at other schools. But if they did ask, he could honestly say he is thinking of taking a gap year because Swarthmore was his top choice and he does not want to go to school anywhere. Then he could mention what he wants to do during that gap year. That would be honest wouldn't it? He is not obliged to say he did not get in anywhere and waitlisted at Oberlin... (Or would it be? Swarthmore wasn't his top choice....I don't know now is his top choice?). </p>
<p>Andi, I think there is a need to hurry. The GC was wrong before and is wrong now. I would have said the sooner the better for my son. But perhaps Interestedad or someone should chime in here.</p>