What are my chances of getting into Swarthmore College?

<p>I am an Indian girl from New Jersey, and I want to either teach, major in English, or major in Archaeology (for now) and maybe minor in music. Based on the all the info, is there a reasonable chance of me getting in? I know that some of the information is subject to change; sorry about the vagueness.</p>

<p>GPA: 4.6777 (out of a 5.0 scale--it's basically an A.) I got 4 As and 4 Bs freshman year, 7 As 1 B sophomore year, and 8 As 0 Bs junior year (I wasn't all too serious when high school started--would the admissions officers appreciate the fact that I grew?)
CLASS RANK: I won't know until September, but I know that I would be in the top decile if not the top five percent.
SAT: 2020, without preparation. I am taking them again in October and I have studied. I'm shooting for at least a 2250.
SAT II: Taking Lit and Math II in November. I got a 710 on lit the first time, but I have prepared much better since then. </p>

<p>VOLUNTEERING:
-25 hours as English teacher at Arunima Illam School. I am billingual, and used these skills to teach.
-50 hours at the Liberty Science center as a Pocket Science intern, conducting experiments and supervising children in the play area.
-30 hours in the Stratford Manor Old Age home, interacting with the people and playing the violin and piano for entertainment.
-16 hours at the St. Cloud Fair, making food, supervising children, face painting and manning the cash register.
-At least 40 hours from quartet gigs (I am in a string quartet; three other high school students and I have performed in hotels, etc. for the past four years)
-15 hours from Nikhil Badlani walks and memorial services.
-24 hours from Thirumuzhai awareness events (Cultural revivals that include plays, dances, and singing ancient songs written in languages that are dying out.)
-1 hour so far at Orphaned Pets shelter (this number should increase considerably)</p>

<p>INTERNSHIPS, JOBS AND THE LIKE
-2-year long internship with PreviewStay.com, a travel site where I've published articles about purchasing homes in places all over the world. I am currently a junior staff writer.
-Pocket science internship with the Liberty Science Center (see volunteering.)
-Internship with iflip4, a growing company that benefits nonprofits. I am an ambassador, and have collaborated with Columbia University to spread awareness there. Posted a motivational video
-Planning to get a job at a local bakery summer of 2013 before college; or may work at Kumon
-Working on helping my cousin in creating business plans for her fashion consignment store called Curlicue's.</p>

<p>SPORTS
-Varsity tennis for the past 4 years, singles all 4 years. Last year 13-0 record, undefeated season
-We placed in the Essex County Tournament (conference)
-Captain this year! May be nominated for player of the year.
-Was "player to watch" last year</p>

<p>ACTIVITIES
-Chamber orchestra (first chair/concert mistress; have been playing violin for 8 years) , royal strings, unity club (running for office), Escriptus (secretary), National Honors Society, Science Honors Society, Math Honors Society, tutoring for sophomore honors history students, Music Honors Society, Editor of Cobblestone (our school magazine), Staff writer for The Pioneer (our school newspaper), founder and president of the iflip4 club in our school, and co-founder and president of the table tennis team, Carnatic music (Indian classical music for 10 years; have competed and given three concerts), tennis (see sports), babysitting, recreational cooking, senior mentor at Vedic Heritage (Indian heritage promotional program on Sundays)</p>

<p>AWARDS
-Three first-place prizes in a row for pallavi singing in the National Cleveland Aradhana competition for Carnatic Music. (Pallavi singing requires rhythmic talent, ability to change ragas (or keys) without hesitation, and improvisational skills.)
-Various prizes from CMANA, Utsav, etc. for carnatic music
-Musical Accomplishment award from school for making it into Regional Orchestra
-Made it into Region I New Jersey Symphonic Orchestra
-Most valuable player award for tennis
-Entering fiction-writing competitions this year; hopefully will win something</p>

<p>Other:
Wrote first long story at age six (Krish the Squirrel), published a story at Montclair University program at age 7 (How Christmas Was Saved Long Ago). Published in KidKountry (poetry publishing site for children), Columbia University's writing anthology, Columbia University's journalism blog called Morningside Hype, Previewstay.com, my school's Cobblestone Magazine and Pioneer Newspaper. Will be published in Teen Ink in the near future and hopefully more.</p>

<p>Took a summer creative writing (advanced fiction) course at Columbia University this summer</p>

<p>Shadowed a doctor who was doing neurosurgery, am doing an independent study where I will be learning American Sign Language online (college course), and doing AP music theory (on my own time, not for school). </p>

<p>Will be collaborating with a high school student from another school to, for fun, translate the Hindu epic Mahabharata into modern-day language. </p>

<p>Huge fan of celtic music (may write about it in college essay.) May submit a recording of me playing two musical pieces as supplementary material. First would be a piece on the violin, and the other would be the b minor concerto for 4 violins played on the piano (each voice recorded separately, and then put over one another for the final recording). I've never taken a piano lesson, so hopefully it'll make an impression!</p>

<p>Thank you so much! :) Any feedback will be helpful.</p>

<p>Wow so many views and no replies? I guess I’ll be the first then! After reading this, I can tell you’re a very well prepared student and you have such a wide variety of extracurriculars that help you stand out among many applicants. Good luck on the AP Music Theory! I’ve heard it’s tough. I’m pretty sure your chances are solid as long as you work hard on your college essay and make it become a sincere reflection of who you are. Your heritage will help a lot in your college application. I’m a senior as well and I’m stressed out about the whole application process, but my SAT’s are fine. As long as you’re above the 2000’s range you’re good to go for Swarthmore. I got a 2200 on my first try, but my extracurriculars are nowhere are good as yours are! Good luck and kind regards :). Message me anytime! Maybe we can help each other out on our college chances :P.</p>

<p>thanks so much for your response!! :slight_smile: you’re so nice! I really hope this is good enough, I’ve tried really hard on this haha!
haha thanks for the heads up! I’ve heard that a background in piano is often helpful when taking music theory; I don’t have that, so not really sure how it’s gonna turn out :p</p>

<p>it’s interesting that you say my heritage may help me; I’ve heard so much about how it’s tougher for asian americans to get into a good college! Is swarthmore different?</p>

<p>And WOW, i’m so envious of you! And on your first try, too :slight_smile: I’m terrible at standardized tests! Any SAT tips?</p>

<p>Hopefully my essay goes well :slight_smile: thanks for the feedback!
and of course, just message me if you have any questions!!</p>