What are my chances of getting into Swarthmore?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Swarthmore College
1

Hey! I am currently enrolled as a Junior in a high school in rural central PA. What are my chances are of getting into Swarthmore, or just because I’m interested, what are my chances of getting into any Ivy League, particularly Dartmouth (my dad attended). I am currently want to pursue politics, so that would be my course of study in college as an undergraduate.

Objective:
SAT I new: 1340 (R&W: 680, M: 660)
ACT: N/A
SAT II: N/A
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.92
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Top 20%
AP (place score in parenthesis): I have taken both the AP Environmental Science (3) AP European History (3). Also taking this year: Ap United States History, Ap English, and Ap Calculus AB
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP English Literature, AP Art History, AP U.S. Government, AP Biology, AP Calculus BC, Band, film and media studies, orchestra, French V, and a class at the local university (Bucknell University).

Awards: National Academy for Future Scientists and Technologists award of excellence, National Honors Society. International Thespian Society. Econ Challenge 6th place. Stock market game 3rd place in PA. Distinguished Honor Roll 6th grade - 11th grade.

Subjective:
Extracurriculars: Student director of Fall and Spring Play. Head of Model UN club. Vice president of debate club. Cross-country, Swim team, Track and field. Founding member of Active Millennials for Progress. Ski club. Physics Club. History club. Working towards French Honors Society. Student Council. Jazz band. Brass Ensemble (played at Pennsylvania School Boards Association meeting). Future Business Leaders of America. French Club.
Job/Work Experience: Lifeguard. Summer camp counselor.
Volunteer/Community service: Over 40 hours. Including service at the local food bank, 8 hours, and summer camp. Also a local group I was a founding member of called Active Millennials for Progress, which is currently working on and successfully achieved getting recycling in our local downtown. Bucknell Civil Rights Spring Break Trip, 8 hours of service. Also 8 hours of work for Meals on Wheels.
Summer Activities: Working as a lifeguard and a summer camp counselor.
Essays: Adequate, well written.
Interview: Yes.
Creative supplement:
Teacher Recommendation: Yes
Counselor Rec: Yes
Additional Rec: From 4 others, teacher, counselor, supervisor, and former boss.

Other:
State (if domestic applicant): PA
Country (if international applicant): USA
School Type: Public, rural
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: $160,000/year

Reflection:
Strengths: GPA increase over the high school years, strong teacher recommendations, no need to apply for financial aid, both parents work as profs of education at Bucknell University, strong SAT, very involved in the community and in extracurriculars.
Weaknesses: Not top of class. Not a super clear idea of what I want to do.

Thanks everyone!

2

Hey, fellow PA applicant! :slight_smile:
I think that for Ivy League apps, the best thing to do is raise your SAT score to ~1500. When’s i did some digging on Swarthmore, I found that the average SAT is around 1420. I think that for this school, if you could get your SAT to at least 1400, you’d be okay.
Otherwise, your UW GPA is solid, and you seem to be very involved in your community. I’d say that right now, Ivy League schools are reaches, mainly because of the SAT. You could maybe get into Dartmouth with a higher SAT score, since you’re a legacy. For Swarthmore, the one thing I see that could hold you back is your SAT score. I’m sorry if I’m saying the same thing over and over again, but I would consider retaking the SAT for a higher score.
Anyways I think you’re going to do great, whatever school you go to! Good luck!