<p>@FlyEagle17 Thank you for the information, I will be sure to look into the book you used. So far all I have used were various practice tests I have found online.</p>
<p>@Steve26 There are several schools I feel confident about. I feel particularly confident about Chatham (where I have taken classes, know both faculty and admissions staff and am well above average for scores and grades), the other I don’t feel comfortable saying online, but will have several professors who I have worked with advocating on my behalf and am again well above average for scores and grades. I also feel fairly sure that I will get into Allegheny, Juniata and Pitt (though less sure about Pitt Honors which is the aspect I am more interested in).
As for why I love Swat more then other LACs it is a combination of things. I will not list them all now, both because some are a product of a lot of research (specifically talking with several students) and I would prefer to not share them in the hopes of having my essay being slightly different and because this post would be way too long (though it is already getting long). That being said I love Swat due to the love of learning and passion regarding learning that I am yet to see to such an extent at another school, as well as how Swat fosters this learning (and their belief that people can learn in any situation). I also love how unlike many schools they do not separate people by major or interest in their housing, ensuring that students are exposed to a diverse student population. Another major reason for my love of Swat is their nerdier/quirkier side. Things like the Yule Ball, screw your roommate and their more unusual clubs have all seemed like unique and fantastic experiences.</p>
<p>@Dora13 Thank you for the advice!</p>
<p>@momof3sons Thank you for both the advice and link. It was very reassuring to see that Swat does not look at my essay from the SAT/ACT, I am very aware that I am not the greatest writer in a timed setting. Do you think it would be beneficial to submit a writing sample (specifically a paper that I am particularly proud of) to show that I am a competent writer despite my writing scores?</p>
<p>@GvaMom Thank you for the advice and the warning regarding financial aid. Do you know if those situations were a result of unique financial situations (perhaps their family owned a business) or completely random?</p>
<p>@marshallmeyer12 Thank you for the advice</p>
<p>Again thank you to everybody who has taken the time to respond!</p>