<p>I think A.E. was trying to point out that nobody can really tell you if you’re good or not. </p>
<p>I remember when I first joined CollegeConfidential, I saw all these chance posts, and thought I’d do one myself. After a while, I realized that chance posts (for me, at least) were really quite useless. And here’s my reasoning:</p>
<p>If you truly love or at the very least like the school, and there is no reason to apply to a college or university that you don’t like, you would apply, no matter what your chances. So cupcake, I see absolutely no reason why you wouldn’t apply, if you’re interested in Swarthmore, because I think that if you don’t apply, you’ll always wonder, “Would I have gotten in?” And, to mix up a common saying, “You’ll never know unless you apply.”</p>
<p>Also, I am a firm believer that you should never ever do something just to try to impress a college or increase chances (except tests and grades). But I do believe that you should explain as clearly as possible why you want to go to Swarthmore.</p>
<p>I think that college admissions officers, at their very core, want to see a potential Swarthmore student, and you have to try to convey that. I don’t think it’s worth trying to mold yourself into a Swattie.</p>
<p>So if I were you, cupcake, I would just apply and not worry, because you have a chance.</p>
<p>Also, note that I’m only a high school senior, not a Swarthmore student. But I don’t think Swarthmore students or parents or any of that sort can really judge your chances.</p>
<p>I think that college admissions officers really want to find a potential student: Who will contribute to the college and who will use the college’s resources? I’m positive that those are the real questions admissions officers ask.</p>
<p>Hope this helps!</p>
<p>Also, try to judge yourself as an applicant, and see if your application conveys yourself as a Swarthmore student.</p>