<p>Never really done anything like this, but I figure my only chance to get in would be to REALLY stand out somehow :P I actually liked it, and I enjoyed reading it(even though I wrote it myself) :p </p>
<p>Tell me what you think! :D </p>
<p>Why Swarthmore?</p>
<p>Why Swarthmore huh? Well, I could give you the same old regurgitation praising your amazing research and the global prestige, but you already know that. I could tell you I love the awesome extracurriculars, the small population and the general mindset of a yearning to be successful, but thats too obvious, hmm Im sure the usual litany could do wonders, but thats not me. How about, I love the website? </p>
<p>The first time I heard about Swarthmore was from a member of the Indian government who is a friend of my family. He and a few other government officials visited my family in Sweden, and as we were having tea(actually it was chai), we had a series of very interesting discussions. I like to believe that I am a very sociable and relatively charismatic person, and apparently I had made a good impression because he was completely intent on helping me out to get into whatever college I wanted. I courteously thanked him but said that I believed it was an unfair advantage and that I didnt want to live my life knowing/thinking I got to where I am because someone pulled a few strings for me. Impressed by this, he insisted that I look into Swarthmore because I possessed qualities that any school would be happy to have and that would fit in well at a respected Liberal Arts College.</p>
<p>At first, Swarthmore didnt seem like my type of place, mainly because I thought it was too small and I assumed it would just be a horde of 4.0 drones with 2300+ SATS and a false sense of elitism. However, as a sign of respect, I decided to at least give it a chance later that evening. As I typed in, Swarthmore.edu, I waited, expecting something pompous and maybe even narcissistic. However, what I saw was nothing like what I had thought, down to earth and worldly. I spent the next hours exploring the website late into the night, until I finally fell asleep in my fairly uncomfortable chair (apparently my parents think uncomfortable = good for your back) and a glowing course catalog annoying my eyes.</p>
<p>I was pleasantly surprised and I spent the next few weeks on college forums learning more about it until I could honestly tell myself that this was the place for me. So here I am, and I think Swarthmore will be a great place for me. Though I may not be a traditional candidate, there really isnt a lot about me that says traditional, except for my classically handsome looks!(Im just kidding.. but really, wait til you see me!) From my $700 jeans(I know, I know.. and my parents already grounded me for it) to the stupid(yet funny) idea that I should wear shorts to school in mid-December in Sweden just to make a point that wearing big jackets indoors was as ridiculous as wearing shorts outside. I may not be the perfect student, and I have never claimed to be, however, what I can promise you is that I am an ambitious, quirky, athletic, weird, compassionate and sometimes nerdy 20 year old, as long as I get the attention and motivation that I need. I think Ill do wonders at Swarthmore and I think Swarthmore will do wonders for me, which is why I now wish with all my heart that I will soon be able to call myself a Swattie!</p>
<p>Of course, this whole story could be made up, maybe I just think that the Swarthmore Emblem would look great tattooed on my shoulder or betwen my shoulder blades, I havent really decided yet. There really isn't any way you could know, but I guess youll just have to trust me!</p>
<p>:P comments please ! :D</p>