<p>bluepurple, Swarthmore goes by the numbers perhaps more than any other LAC: they have very few seats available and are inundated by applicants with the same meticulous academic records. Sure, you would stand out. Your ECs are great and if you are as charming in person as your CC posts sound, an interview would also be in order. But, I’m afraid you’d be facing daunting odds, plus a certain mindset, that you can see even in some of its CC forum threads.</p>
<p>I’m a little confused by your attitude toward Questbridge. Not everyone gets into their number one choice and the sorting process isn’t always pretty. I happen to think the only thing standing between Haverford and Swarthmore are their USNews rankings. But, maybe that’s what you were referring to when you said, Haverford was “obscure”.</p>
<p>Oh, well. I have another “obscure” choice for you. Have you taken a look at Occidental, in California? It’s also an LAC. And, like Swarthmore and Wesleyan, they have a history of liberal activism. Best of all, it is not impossible to get into (43% acceptance rate for Class of 2013.)</p>