I really hope I get accepted into Swarthmore. I’m a bit worried that I might not seem strong enough for them. Their acceptance rate is really low, but I really want to get in. I love the fact that I can be challenged but won’t be criticized for doing poorly in the beginning (first semester pass/fail). My stats are fine (I think, but ECs not very strong). Maybe me being URM will help, but I’m not sure.
Your stats are similiar to my son. My son is hispanic/black, we are low income and unable to do much to help much financially with college, so full rides and close to full rides are what we are looking at too.
Since you have applied to many safeties, my suggestions would be Lafayette and Duke as a reach.
Lafayette is not too far from you, and if possible try to visit. My son is headed up there this weekend to see if it would be a good school if his ED doesnt pan out.
Duke meets full need for any family who has income under $65,000. Even though ED gives a boost to admission, it is not necessary for financial aid. Duke has a generous endowment and you still have an opportunity for a full ride/close to it, with Regular Decision. However, Duke is very hard to get into, hence it being a reach.
Please make sure any school you are applying ED to, you will be happy with since it is a binding decision. Research, research,research! This includes looking at the ethnic makeup of the school, and size of the school. If at all possible, visit the school. If you cant, definitely do the virtual tours.
@firstgencollege Could you check with your guidance counselor whether anyone from your school with your stats and background has gotten into Swarthmore? Like I said before, although I am sure Swarthmore is wonderful, you don’t need to get into the most elite college to have a stellar career as an engineer.
@firstgencollege A job to help support the family is a more than fine EC. I wish some of the more senior members on here would weigh in and put your mind at rest on that issue.
No one from my school has ever applied or gotten into Swarthmore. I know a job is a good EC, but I doubt myself a lot. I have gotten to know Swarthmore through research, I love everything they are about. The campus is beautiful and their traditions both uplifting and something I would love to take part of. I really want to get into Swarthmore, but it is really hard to get into. I hope for the best and plan for the worst.
Just remember that a few days ago, you were considering ED1 to Lafayette. That’s still a great EDII school if Swarthmore doesn’t pan out.
This is a brutal process. You basically have to “fall in love” with a school to have peace of mind about applying ED, but then in the same breath we’re telling you not to get too attached. It’s a really hard emotional tightrope to walk.
IMHO you are a very solid candidate for Swarthmore. Working to support your family is indeed a fine EC, and in fact they want students with varied life experiences. Your grades are perfect, and you pursued the highest course rigor you could at your school, or nearly so. Your SAT is below their median but still solidly in the middle 50%, and that’s the data point that is most readily counterbalanced by URM status, because colleges realize that the scores of more privileged kids are artificially inflated by test prep and more subtly inflated by the cultural competencies that come with affluence. In context, your score is more than good enough for Swarthmore.
So, you’re absolutely qualified and I think they’d be lucky to have you; but the downside of “shooting the moon” at a reach-for-everyone school is that they have to reject more qualified applicants than they accept, even in the ED round. We can reassure you that you’re deserving of acceptance, but as far as the actual outcome, it could realistically go either way, and all we can do is root for you and express our confidence that you will have a good outcome in the end, whether it’s Swarthmore or not.
So you just have to do the best you can at splitting your mindset - get into that “Swarthmore is the be-all and end-all” mindset to write your supplement, but then try to turn it off and go back to being open to all the possibilities. Yeah, easy for me to say. 
@firstgencollege You already have safeties with NJIT and Rutgers. If you can commute to either one, it’s only the tuition to be responsible for, which will be close to 0 with Pell and the NJ TAG program.
So go ahead and reach for Swarthmore; and Lafayette ED2. If you cannot visit these schools, at least try to contact their local admission reps. You said you received some email from Swarthmore, right? Did it contain info for you to follow up on?
In addition to thinking about how Swarthmore can be great for you, you may also want to think about how YOU can contribute to their community.
I would love to be involved, honestly what kept me from being involved in high school was not being able to relate to some of the programs available, but Swarthmore seems like it has more than enough interesting programs and activities. Also, I would love to be involved since I would not need to worry so much about the money if I get 100% need based aid. Yes, I got emails from Swarthmore, they waived the application fee and one of the emails said to explore their website (that is why I want to apply, everything about it seems perfect).
@firstgencollege, you’re getting really good advice here already. By all means, show Swat the love - you do sound as if you get it, and love it, for the right reasons - and at the same time be confident that you have other outstanding choices on your list, if an ED application there doesn’t work out.
I’m just tagging in to say that right now, diversity is a strong institutional priority for Swarthmore. They are out there on the road trying to get to all kinds of high schools, in all kinds of places, that don’t usually see many recruiters/regional reps. They are not just talking the talk.
As an involved alum, I’m rooting for you. Good luck!
Thank you for all your support!
@firstgencollege I have been one of the many parents in the background routing you on. I’m glad you have decided to shot for the stars and you seem very grounded/prepared for whatever the results.
One small piece of advice, I would call your admissions officer and ask if he/she/they can put you in contact with a current first generation student at Swat. Tell the admissions officer you are strongly considering applying for early admissions. This is a way to both show interest without visiting and giving you a chance to talk personally with another student who was in your shoes a year or two ago.
^Very good idea! Simple phone call, really good question, useful to you and helps your rep know you exist so they’ll read your application with you in mind.
@Mom24boys has a great suggestion. Do it today! They want to know you are interested.
I have already mentioned, as have others, that your job is a very good EC. Do you help with younger siblings, or a sick or elderly relative? Do you have to grocery shop or take care of cooking or cleaning beyond regular chores? Are you involved in church? Do you volunteer? Those are all good ECs.
You need to go on Swat’s website. Look on Niche. Read that thread I tagged you in earlier. Absolutely call the Admissions office today and ask to be connected to a First gen or URM student. I can tell you that when I visited Swat with my daughter about five years ago, they were emphasizing their Quaker roots. Not that you have to be a Quaker, but that you understand the values that are important to them.
Get started with that supplemental essay after you have done some more research and send it to me.
Btw, if Swarthmore “seems perfect for you” then you’ve truly found your ED1 college. ?
Now list 3 things in which they’re a match for your interests and values. … Should be relatively easy if it’s perfect for you.
Too many things I love about it!
- Very creative (I love the emails they sent me, seem very personal, and I want to participate in the Crum Creek Regatta!)
- Great Academics (checked ranking and all that, one of the best LACs, great teaching, pass/fail first semester (less stress and better able to get ready for college coursework), great undergrad engineering program, 8:1 faculty to student ratio)
- Amazing (campus looks beautiful, activism is great, I could design my own major if engineering doesn’t seem like a fit for me, well rounded, well designed website which is always a plus since it shows dedication and polish (which I admire), so many clubs to get involved in)
Seriously it is my dream college!
A good start @firstgencollege . You’ll have to dig a little deeper than clubs and rankings, though you definitely are showing enthusiasm. They are aware of their rankings. Show them that their values align with yours. Look at their mission statement. Let them see how you will fit in on campus.
Honestly it is the admissions blog that most convinced me about Swarthmore. The blog is amazing, I want to write for it one day (hopefully next year). Also, there are the libraries, though I will probably want to stay in the McCabe Library (not an English major but it seems the calmest place). Also, I like the fact that their is the focus on civic engagement, I don’t volunteer, but I hope to reinvent myself in Swarthmore like a phoenix. Swarthmore seems like the perfect place to fulfill all my dreams and explore.
I LOVE that! Great line re a phoenix, use that for sure.
As Swat’s mascot and the name of the newspaper, it’s an extra powerful choice. ; )
For Swarthmore, you need to show you understand their values and match them to something you’ve done or regularly do. (Think of it as a way to convince someone you like to date you. If all you do is say “You’re awesome” “you’re my dream person”… why would they go out with you? I mean, I’m sure they’d be flattered, but you’re not giving them any reason to think you are awesome AND a great match for them…)
But it’s a good start 
Any chance you can go and visit?
Hopefully you can quickly contact your rep so that you’re not a “stealth applicant” (ie., an unknown teenager).
Reading of the day:
https://www.swarthmore.edu/news-events/expanding-access-first-gen-faculty-and-staff-speak
Also, take notes about this all and think of returning to your high school to present the Honors Society/Key club (or equivalent) the things you’ve learned about the application process. I’m sure you’ve learned a lot. There may be a few juniors or sophomores right now who might benefit from what you have discovered.