<p>Cupcake:</p>
<p>The AP courses won’t hurt you. Swarthmore would much rather see you taking Calc than AP stat and the full Bio/Chem/Physics sequence than AP Env. Science. That’s not an issue.</p>
<p>On the other hand, I don’t disagree with AE’s assessment. In general, successful applicants towards the low end of Swathmore’s test scores tend to be students who bring something unique to the party – a hook, if you will.</p>
<p>I think it’s a challenge for a white prep school applicant to get accepted with test scores below the 50th percentile and, ideally, the 75th percentile.</p>
<p>My advice would be to learn as much as you can about Swarthmore. Then sit down, maybe around the dining room table with your folks, and think about your list of activities and how to present a narrative that allows Swarthmore to envision you as bringing something to campus that will stand out.</p>