Rate-a-hook here! Does he need a miracle? YOU DECIDE!

elinck
Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:24:22 +0000

It’s a cliche to complain or apologize for “chance me” threads, and I have no regrets for making one. Everyone has the urge to at some point anyway.

So. I realize that Swarthmore is a reach for me in the way Pluto is for Mercury, with the impediment of my GPA. I do believe, however, I can offer something to the Swarthmore community (don’t we all?), and while I’ll be honest and say that it isn’t my top choice (I have already applied ED to Reed), the intense, rigorous intellectual atmosphere is exactly what I’m looking for in a school. Obviously, these two schools have pronounced differences, and I’m not going to try to convince you that the quirks and strengths of Swarthmore will fit me, as that’s something I’m sure I can convey to the people it matters to. I’m just naturally curious about how much displayed intellectual curiosity and drive can compensate for one crummy statistic (and probably a few sub par ones, given the quality of the applicant base).

from a public high school in rural vermont.

GPA: 3.35 UW for freshman - junior year. However, I have a 4.0 currently (after 1.5 quarters of senior year), a grade likely to sustain itself through the first semester. A better work ethic? Probably. Regret for three years of less than ideal performance? Not especially. Sure, it would have been nice, but I think I’ve learned things in taking my own path I wouldn’t have elsewhere.
ACT: 33
SAT: 2140/2400: 710 CR, 690 M, 740 W

The Hook: I have a great passion for tropical ecology and anthropology, particularly that of the great dark island of New Guinea. I have a rather encyclopedic knowledge of the wildest South Pacific as a whole, and I spent last conducting avifaunal research and mapping tribal boundaries in the Gulf province of Papua New Guinea, and the outlying island of New Ireland in the Bismarck Archipelago. As colonialist as it sounds, I was the first ‘white man’ to visit several villages. I can speak Melanesian Pidgin and several indigenous tongues in addition to English and Spanish. I did this on my own, without any program (for there are none). I raised over 4000 dollars junior year in funds. Currently, I have an application in for Nat’l Geographic to get a grant for more research next summer.

Other Considerations:

ECs:

Cap’n of the Telemark Skiing Brigade
4 years varsity cross county
2 of varisty track’n field
1 of Nordic Skiing
Political campaign volunteer work
blah blah blah

Awards:
UVM Writing Contest Winner
School Commendation for Excellence in the Natural Sciences
National Merit Scholarship Comendee (semifinalist?)

Curriculum: I’ve always been convinced it was rigorous, but that was before coming to this board and seeing kids post 35 AP classes a year. Anyway, I’ve taking 5 years worth of English, 5 years of science, 4 of social studies, 4 of math, the usual drill. 4 AP’s (English, Gov, Bio, Prob/Stats) and one AP Equiv. (Spanish 5). A visible pattern of high grades in classes that motivated me.

Reccomendations: As everyone says, superb. Lots of “most exceptional student, ever” type stuff and a strong emphasis on individual motivation and intellectual curiosity.

So. What say ye? I love the idea (and perceived atmosphere) of Swarthmore, but its level of visibility is such that it certainly doesn’t seem the type of school to take many chances, especially on those of Caucasian persuasions. I’ll probably apply anyway (if rejected ED from Reed) on a what-the-heck basis, but it’d be nice to know the acceptance of someone in a similar situation isn’t unprecedented.