What do you think my chances are?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Swarthmore College
1

<p>I too am applying early decision to swarthmore. I don't know whether I have a decent shot, but am pretty worried. </p>

<p>My stats are the following:
SAT I score 1520 (780: Verbal; 740: Math)
AP World History (exam result) – 5
AP English Composition (exam result) – 5
Cumulative Unweighted GPA average: 3.77 (top 10 percent, but low compared to the top 20-30 students in very competitive school)
Weighted: 4.5ish</p>

<p>(ed. Moved to Jakarta, Indonesia when I was 10, moved back when 15 in 10th grade, and am of Indian origin)</p>

<p>Writing Award (Jakarta International School)
Achievement in English (Jakarta International School)
First Place, Walt Whitman Film Festival 2003
Selected to represent Jakarta International School (JIS)
for the International Theater competition in Taipei
Selected to represent JIS at Theater competition in Manila
Varsity team: Part of the Theater, Extemporaneous Speech, and Debate team (in indonesia it is a varsity team)</p>

<p>Extracurricular activities:
Model United Nations, 2002-2004
President, Drama Club, 2004
Leader, Improv Club, 2003-2004
Chess Club
Jakarta International School Theater Club
Interscholastic Association of Southeast Asian Schools (IASAS) Theater Association
5 plays and 4 leads in High School, 3 plays in middle school, and many Festival of the Arts / Shakespeare festival roles</p>

<hr>

<p>I have a low gpa, which is my main weakness but have taken many ap's (six) to compensate. And so far my senior year have 5 A's and 1 B (3.83 unweighted) My sat 2's im taking in 1 weeks time so I don't know about those yet (literature, writing, math 2 c) So far on the practices i've been getting about 750 writing, 720 literature, and 700 math, but i have a week to buckle down and study. My recs will be solid, both from grade 11 in ap english and world history, my two strongest classes. </p>

<p>I make no assumptions and am assuming deferral if not rejection @ swarthmore ED, but am hungry for advice/insight. Thanks! also - what is this about swarthmore Early decision 2??? I didn't know about that, if anyone can let me know that will be most helpful.</p>

2

<p>If you can write good essays (which I am sure you can), you have a very, very good chance, especially ED.</p>

3

<p>Your stats are very good and in the ballpark and you have very good ecs. Swarthmore is not stats driven. Show interest in the college in your application (since you are applying ED, it is assumed you are interested), write the 'Why Swarthmore' essay very carefully with a lot of thought going in to why you want to study there. Choose one or two aspects of yourself as a candidate to highlight in your application and make sure those aspects are covered in your personal statement and in other ways, such as in your most meaningful activities essay.</p>

<p>Good luck, you have a very good chance, don't worry about it!</p>

4

<p>Thanks for the advice -
I am going to highlight my experiences in Indonesia as a young child amidst the riots, poverty, and chaos. I witnessed some interesting things growing up. My Why Swarthmore essay is more about the philosophy of the school and why it is concurrent with my own rather than about myself. I am choosing "topic of my choice" as my 2nd essay. </p>

<p>thanks for the comments + keep them coming!</p>

5

<p>About ED II -- I think it is mostly geared towards students that applied ED elsewhere, got deferred or rejected, and don't want to take a chance with RD. If you are positive about your choice, and have all the tests done, apply ED I, as it shows that this is truly your first choice school.</p>

6

<p>hi prepare4worst,
greetings from jakarta from the mom of the redskins fan. good luck with your applications!</p>

7

<p>I know that essays are a major factor at Swarthmore. In fact one person wrote this amazing one, and the adminstration decided it didn't matter what the rest ofher application looked like at all. They'd let her in no matter what! But yeah, I've read the essay and she's the next faulkner basically. good luck</p>