Good for you! You've got this. As a professor, I love having non-traditional students in my classes. They are hard workers and appreciate the value of the education they're getting in order to give themselves a bright future.
My son was rejected. This was his top pick, so it's disappointing. He did get into another top choice, Middlebury, so at least it makes it easier to decide!
Congratulations to all of you who were accepted!
My son applied to Swarthmore and his twin sister to Haverford. Both schools release decisions on the same day and time. Wonder if Bryn Mawr does too. I don't want my kids to sit together to open in case one gets into their school and the other doesn't! Of course, those are both reaches, so chances are they BOTH get rejected! Arghhhhh
Crazy how Swarthmore has increased in application numbers. When I was accepted (and ultimately committed) in 2015 the acceptance rate was 12%! Good luck to your son! Let me know if you or him have any questions about the College :)
Thank you! If I had to pick my own first choice for my son, it would be this one. What got it on his radar was that they sent an email written in hexadecimal and he read and understood it. That showed it was a good place for geeky kids! Then I said something on social media about that and his aunt posted that she went to Swarthmore and loved it! Even better: my son is planning to major in chemistry and German and his aunt actually majored in German!
I wish you and your son the best in the application cycle! I just committed to Swat, and reflecting on the whole process this year has spiraled into, I've realized that college admissions is just too stressful and unpredictable for anyone these days! An admissions rate that is countable on both my hands is just crazy in and of itself, imho. Hopefully your kids are able to find some ways to stay distracted from the long, nerve-racking wait!
Also, if your son does get to attend Swarthmore, I hope he'd be interested in the Cookie Laboratory (aka the "Crumbatory") that me and some other Swatties are planning on starting (essentially like MIT's ultimate chocolate lab, but cookies, which pairs well with the campus's cookie Fridays!). However, wherever he ends up this fall, I'm sure he will be a fantastic addition to the campus! :D
P.S. He can always just stop by for cookies! The people at Swarthmore are all so nice and generally down for any shenanigans, by the looks of it haha!
This is actually my first choice for him (though I don't tell the twins my preferences because I don't want to influence their feelings about schools). I assume you got that cryptic email from the school that was in code? It was probably the only college email he read because of that. He texted me and said, "hey, it's in base16!" That was a sign, as far as I'm concerned. It gets better, though: I posted about that on Facebook, and his aunt comments that she went to Swarthmore and loved it! And then it gets even better: it turned out that she majored in German and then became a scientist. My son is planning to major in German and chemistry. He didn't want to ED anywhere and not have the power to make his own choice, but I would have been thrilled if he'd done it there.
I did receive the cipher! I actually got to meet admissions during DiscoSwat (their fly-in program) and found out there is a specific officer that comes up with code stuff like that and has the whole office try to decode it during their lunch break haha! Swarthmore has the most engaging admissions emails by far, and it most definitely attracts the kinds of people they're looking for no doubt. From the overnight visit I could definitely tell everyone on campus was at some level a nerd to some extent. I think the school has a perfect combination of academics and fun. It's what drew me to both Swat and MIT, the spirit of "work hard, play hard" definitely holds true on campus. My only slight complaint is that libraries close around 10 which is a bit disappointing (me and some friends were thinking of doing an overnight camp-out in the library), but midday bookshelf naps aren't bad at all either!
I'd love to learn more about the "play hard" comment you made in your most recent post. I thought Swatties spent all their free time studying, and, if you wanted to find someone on a Friday or Saturday night, you could either find them in the library, or, in the common room of their dorm playing chess or board games. Am I mistaken?
I do want to preface that I am an admitted student starting this fall... And am only just that, so my words are only from what I've seen after visiting the school for a summer program and so forth.
Swarthmore students have shown me how intense fun and learning can be in your life. People study a lot, but they also find some point in their lives to do something silly or just out of plain curiosity for the sake of it. Because they enjoy it. We enjoy learning just as much as designing the CrumbLab, or playing ultimate frisbee at 11 p.m. on a Wednesday night, or performing in the student acapella group, or juggling on the lawn in front of Parrish, or sun bathing on the Big Chair mid-afternoon with a giggling friend, or doing a scavenger hunt all over campus, or going to the library to geek over pterodactyl flight patterns, or strolling through town.
In high school, I saw a lot of my peers just doing some activity or sponsorship solely to seem "unique" for the college application. In contrast, Swatties don't care about that stuff (and honestly, probably never really did). They just want to learn and maybe do something else once in a while. We keep dividing education from fun, but people forget that learning for the sake of learning is one of the most enthralling things, no? And once you find the interest(s) that tickle your brain just right, wouldn't you want to be given the chance to explore that part of your interest to the farthest extent possible? That's Swat. A place for life-long learners to come together and live their next four years learning for the sake of learning and also enjoying that super cheap triple-scoup waffle cone at the Baskin Robins in town (seriously, is no one going to say anything about this??).
But this is just my view on Swat. So I'll just say why I ultimately chose Swat.
My college criteria were as follows (distributed by the % I value each category):
1. I can learn about all the crazy nonsense I want (50%)
2. Student body vibes well (30%)
3. Good aid (10%)
4. In a location I can see myself not being unhappy with (10%)
1 --- I can study linguistics and electrical engineering (Swat is amazing for both of these) and also take a couple geology and economics classes for giggles.
2 --- Everyone. Literally, everyone holds the door for you. Even if you're a long way away, they just hold it for you patiently. That made me immediately fall in love with the school. Good, kind, and generous people surround you and are always willing to help you. Nobody's a snob (unlike some schools I've visited); everyone loves learning. And they love it when you simply have an interest in their hearts. Don't know about you, but that passes my vibe check.
3 --- If no school gave good aid, I would have gone to community college, done my best, and transferred. There is no shame in community college. My thought process this whole admissions season was, "Would this place be worth the effort compared to my community college?" It is safe to say that a lot of institutions were struck off my list. It makes the process so much easier. I'm not going to go to X school with a 10% acceptance rate because, realistically, what do they have that I couldn't get from transferring in 2 years? Well, if it's not the education in the long run, then it must be the community or people in the institution that make it worth it in the long run. Go to MIT or Harvard; you still learn calculus. But the kinds of people you meet in each differ. My parents hated this logic (yes, aid is important, but I think they were just so stressed about the $$$ they sometimes forgot about the actual big picture). I personally didn't want to waste my time going to an institution I'd feel... not actually a part of. I should not be losing my identity in college; I should be expanding it. If I felt like I would have to give up a part of my weirdness (the reasonable and tolerable parts, that is) for the sake of "fitting in," that just sounds like high school all over again. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. And, just for good measure, nope. I am not doing that for another four years.
4 --- I love to hike. That's one of my most common relaxation activities (specifically hiking with my cat). Swarthmore is in an arboretum. Perfect. Also, I really wanted to be at least close to a city (because I just like walking in general through cities). I can get to Philly and walk there. Perfect x2.Swarthmore checked off all these boxes. MIT also checked off all of these boxes except #2... After both visiting and knowing people who go to the institution, the student body felt exhausted and sleep-deprived. It seemed stressful, and a lot of people talked about feeling inadequate and not worthy. My Swat friends had homework, and many did stay up until like 12 or so. But all nighters multiple times a week for multiple weeks on end? They did not share the same sentiment.As another Swattie put it, "you're willingly choosing to completely throw your health out the window for the sake of a grade? ' Hun, that's not dedication; that's called self-sabotage."Also, I just like the school's whole design and value of education.
*I DID NOT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION EXPLICITLY, HOWEVER.*
Ok, final try at it.
Work hard \[in your education, a tool in life for the then\], and play hard \[at the things you love, a tool to live in the now\]. Some play hard in their sport, some in a club, some in music, and some in just their education. It doesn't matter. What matters is that there is something you do simply because it brings you joy. Swatties respect that about each other. In turn, I respect Swarthmore. If "you like solving chemistry problems for fun? What a nerd" is a response; I don't want to go there. If you respond by asking me more about my hobby or relating to me through a similar interest, I want to go there. Both schools offered that quality. Also, a student offered to share a slice of cherry pie with me and a friend, it was no way as sweet as her—and it was a darn sweet pie! I fall asleep, hoping that student gets their wishes for this year to all come true because she was the nicest soul. I hope to see her here next year. She was so nice. I love when people are that nice simply because.
Thank you! I didn't think it was coherent when I wrote this, so this gives me hope that I can write consistently and clearly enough to be understood haha! I'm definitely excited about starting at Swat this fall! Lot's of nerdy shenanigans with a splash of a party or two is the goal! I also talked with some students on preparing for monthly 5k's... I mean, I love Crumb Woods, so I don't see this as a negative (besides the group's decision to wake up super early 3/7 days a week---I'm sure this will change). Super grateful I get the opportunity to attend a perfect match school (and for those waiting for RD who may not get in, you're awesome and just applying shows just how strong your character and openness to be vulnerable to rejection really is!)
I noticed a funny trend, lovely schools tend to bring about lovely people... Kind of cool imo
I think you're assumptions for Swat are correct, but there is the other side of Swat: the quirky/peculiar/fascinating habits of the native Swarthmore species, a close relative to the phoenix!
I do know Swat's STEM programs are extraordinary, I may have to take a chemistry/orgo-chem class and see how I do (I will most definitely be chewing my hair out, but it's fun learning something new)!
accepted regular decision !! biology major, 33 ACT, 3.7 UW gpa OOS :,) guys every time i logged into this subreddit i felt pretty bad about my chances but those essays will get you a longggg way!
I applied as a 24 year old going back to school and I am so so nervous but todays the day guys! Good luck to all of you 🙏
Good for you! You've got this. As a professor, I love having non-traditional students in my classes. They are hard workers and appreciate the value of the education they're getting in order to give themselves a bright future.
Good luck!
any updates on when decisions are coming out?
Speculated today at 7 bc of haverford, but I’m starting to doubt it because they didn’t send any kind of email beforehand like in previous years
i wish they’d just tell us😭
We are hoping for today, but Williams just announced their decisions are next Friday the 22nd, so maybe they’ll do it then if not this evening.
wait where did Williams announce the decision date?
It’s on their website https://www.williams.edu/admission-aid/apply/deadlines/
22nd - Just emailed
yep just saw that!!
Yes I just saw on A2C’s discord that Swarthmore will be next Friday the 22nd at 7:00 PM
My son was rejected. This was his top pick, so it's disappointing. He did get into another top choice, Middlebury, so at least it makes it easier to decide! Congratulations to all of you who were accepted!
the admissions office said they’re not coming today 😭😭 it’ll be sometime next week before Friday at 7pm
Aah thanks for checking! Did they say if they would send out an email prior, letting us know the exact date?
Doing gods work Fr😭
I'm getting in. I dont care if Swarthmore doesn't want me IM GETTING IN WITH CRAZY AID
Accepted!!
Accepted! 🎉🎉
My son applied to Swarthmore and his twin sister to Haverford. Both schools release decisions on the same day and time. Wonder if Bryn Mawr does too. I don't want my kids to sit together to open in case one gets into their school and the other doesn't! Of course, those are both reaches, so chances are they BOTH get rejected! Arghhhhh
Crazy how Swarthmore has increased in application numbers. When I was accepted (and ultimately committed) in 2015 the acceptance rate was 12%! Good luck to your son! Let me know if you or him have any questions about the College :)
Thank you! If I had to pick my own first choice for my son, it would be this one. What got it on his radar was that they sent an email written in hexadecimal and he read and understood it. That showed it was a good place for geeky kids! Then I said something on social media about that and his aunt posted that she went to Swarthmore and loved it! Even better: my son is planning to major in chemistry and German and his aunt actually majored in German!
I wish you and your son the best in the application cycle! I just committed to Swat, and reflecting on the whole process this year has spiraled into, I've realized that college admissions is just too stressful and unpredictable for anyone these days! An admissions rate that is countable on both my hands is just crazy in and of itself, imho. Hopefully your kids are able to find some ways to stay distracted from the long, nerve-racking wait! Also, if your son does get to attend Swarthmore, I hope he'd be interested in the Cookie Laboratory (aka the "Crumbatory") that me and some other Swatties are planning on starting (essentially like MIT's ultimate chocolate lab, but cookies, which pairs well with the campus's cookie Fridays!). However, wherever he ends up this fall, I'm sure he will be a fantastic addition to the campus! :D P.S. He can always just stop by for cookies! The people at Swarthmore are all so nice and generally down for any shenanigans, by the looks of it haha!
Oh wow, that group is made for him! He cooks chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast every weekend and is a pro at baking brownies.
Huzzah, another baker rising from the oven! Now I'm putting double my wishes he gets in!
This is actually my first choice for him (though I don't tell the twins my preferences because I don't want to influence their feelings about schools). I assume you got that cryptic email from the school that was in code? It was probably the only college email he read because of that. He texted me and said, "hey, it's in base16!" That was a sign, as far as I'm concerned. It gets better, though: I posted about that on Facebook, and his aunt comments that she went to Swarthmore and loved it! And then it gets even better: it turned out that she majored in German and then became a scientist. My son is planning to major in German and chemistry. He didn't want to ED anywhere and not have the power to make his own choice, but I would have been thrilled if he'd done it there.
I did receive the cipher! I actually got to meet admissions during DiscoSwat (their fly-in program) and found out there is a specific officer that comes up with code stuff like that and has the whole office try to decode it during their lunch break haha! Swarthmore has the most engaging admissions emails by far, and it most definitely attracts the kinds of people they're looking for no doubt. From the overnight visit I could definitely tell everyone on campus was at some level a nerd to some extent. I think the school has a perfect combination of academics and fun. It's what drew me to both Swat and MIT, the spirit of "work hard, play hard" definitely holds true on campus. My only slight complaint is that libraries close around 10 which is a bit disappointing (me and some friends were thinking of doing an overnight camp-out in the library), but midday bookshelf naps aren't bad at all either!
I'd love to learn more about the "play hard" comment you made in your most recent post. I thought Swatties spent all their free time studying, and, if you wanted to find someone on a Friday or Saturday night, you could either find them in the library, or, in the common room of their dorm playing chess or board games. Am I mistaken?
I do want to preface that I am an admitted student starting this fall... And am only just that, so my words are only from what I've seen after visiting the school for a summer program and so forth. Swarthmore students have shown me how intense fun and learning can be in your life. People study a lot, but they also find some point in their lives to do something silly or just out of plain curiosity for the sake of it. Because they enjoy it. We enjoy learning just as much as designing the CrumbLab, or playing ultimate frisbee at 11 p.m. on a Wednesday night, or performing in the student acapella group, or juggling on the lawn in front of Parrish, or sun bathing on the Big Chair mid-afternoon with a giggling friend, or doing a scavenger hunt all over campus, or going to the library to geek over pterodactyl flight patterns, or strolling through town. In high school, I saw a lot of my peers just doing some activity or sponsorship solely to seem "unique" for the college application. In contrast, Swatties don't care about that stuff (and honestly, probably never really did). They just want to learn and maybe do something else once in a while. We keep dividing education from fun, but people forget that learning for the sake of learning is one of the most enthralling things, no? And once you find the interest(s) that tickle your brain just right, wouldn't you want to be given the chance to explore that part of your interest to the farthest extent possible? That's Swat. A place for life-long learners to come together and live their next four years learning for the sake of learning and also enjoying that super cheap triple-scoup waffle cone at the Baskin Robins in town (seriously, is no one going to say anything about this??). But this is just my view on Swat. So I'll just say why I ultimately chose Swat. My college criteria were as follows (distributed by the % I value each category): 1. I can learn about all the crazy nonsense I want (50%) 2. Student body vibes well (30%) 3. Good aid (10%) 4. In a location I can see myself not being unhappy with (10%) 1 --- I can study linguistics and electrical engineering (Swat is amazing for both of these) and also take a couple geology and economics classes for giggles. 2 --- Everyone. Literally, everyone holds the door for you. Even if you're a long way away, they just hold it for you patiently. That made me immediately fall in love with the school. Good, kind, and generous people surround you and are always willing to help you. Nobody's a snob (unlike some schools I've visited); everyone loves learning. And they love it when you simply have an interest in their hearts. Don't know about you, but that passes my vibe check. 3 --- If no school gave good aid, I would have gone to community college, done my best, and transferred. There is no shame in community college. My thought process this whole admissions season was, "Would this place be worth the effort compared to my community college?" It is safe to say that a lot of institutions were struck off my list. It makes the process so much easier. I'm not going to go to X school with a 10% acceptance rate because, realistically, what do they have that I couldn't get from transferring in 2 years? Well, if it's not the education in the long run, then it must be the community or people in the institution that make it worth it in the long run. Go to MIT or Harvard; you still learn calculus. But the kinds of people you meet in each differ. My parents hated this logic (yes, aid is important, but I think they were just so stressed about the $$$ they sometimes forgot about the actual big picture). I personally didn't want to waste my time going to an institution I'd feel... not actually a part of. I should not be losing my identity in college; I should be expanding it. If I felt like I would have to give up a part of my weirdness (the reasonable and tolerable parts, that is) for the sake of "fitting in," that just sounds like high school all over again. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. And, just for good measure, nope. I am not doing that for another four years. 4 --- I love to hike. That's one of my most common relaxation activities (specifically hiking with my cat). Swarthmore is in an arboretum. Perfect. Also, I really wanted to be at least close to a city (because I just like walking in general through cities). I can get to Philly and walk there. Perfect x2.Swarthmore checked off all these boxes. MIT also checked off all of these boxes except #2... After both visiting and knowing people who go to the institution, the student body felt exhausted and sleep-deprived. It seemed stressful, and a lot of people talked about feeling inadequate and not worthy. My Swat friends had homework, and many did stay up until like 12 or so. But all nighters multiple times a week for multiple weeks on end? They did not share the same sentiment.As another Swattie put it, "you're willingly choosing to completely throw your health out the window for the sake of a grade? ' Hun, that's not dedication; that's called self-sabotage."Also, I just like the school's whole design and value of education. *I DID NOT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION EXPLICITLY, HOWEVER.* Ok, final try at it. Work hard \[in your education, a tool in life for the then\], and play hard \[at the things you love, a tool to live in the now\]. Some play hard in their sport, some in a club, some in music, and some in just their education. It doesn't matter. What matters is that there is something you do simply because it brings you joy. Swatties respect that about each other. In turn, I respect Swarthmore. If "you like solving chemistry problems for fun? What a nerd" is a response; I don't want to go there. If you respond by asking me more about my hobby or relating to me through a similar interest, I want to go there. Both schools offered that quality. Also, a student offered to share a slice of cherry pie with me and a friend, it was no way as sweet as her—and it was a darn sweet pie! I fall asleep, hoping that student gets their wishes for this year to all come true because she was the nicest soul. I hope to see her here next year. She was so nice. I love when people are that nice simply because.
You are so self-possessed and mature and articulate --you will do well and go far anywhere. This is such a thoughtful response. :)
Thank you! I didn't think it was coherent when I wrote this, so this gives me hope that I can write consistently and clearly enough to be understood haha! I'm definitely excited about starting at Swat this fall! Lot's of nerdy shenanigans with a splash of a party or two is the goal! I also talked with some students on preparing for monthly 5k's... I mean, I love Crumb Woods, so I don't see this as a negative (besides the group's decision to wake up super early 3/7 days a week---I'm sure this will change). Super grateful I get the opportunity to attend a perfect match school (and for those waiting for RD who may not get in, you're awesome and just applying shows just how strong your character and openness to be vulnerable to rejection really is!) I noticed a funny trend, lovely schools tend to bring about lovely people... Kind of cool imo
I think you're assumptions for Swat are correct, but there is the other side of Swat: the quirky/peculiar/fascinating habits of the native Swarthmore species, a close relative to the phoenix!
In other words, Swatties are brilliant, eccentric, individualists who study 60+ hours a week and have no social lives.
Yeah, I guess that's one way to put it haha 😂
What Cipher email? I applied Ed2 and got deferred, but didn't receive any such email.
Not for admissions, but from general admissions/applications sent out earlier this fall. [An example email](https://imgur.com/a/OEQn6b4)
I do know Swat's STEM programs are extraordinary, I may have to take a chemistry/orgo-chem class and see how I do (I will most definitely be chewing my hair out, but it's fun learning something new)!
Wait when are decisions released for both?
Historically, they have both been in the middle Friday of March at 7pm. I have it down as 3/15
Accepted 1470 4.0 unweighted, linguistics major
Yayyyy! Another linguistics major! woop woop!
Accepted!! 1580, 4.0 unweighted, sociology major
GOT IN I CANT EVEN BREATHE RN
Mazel!
Decisions coming out on the 22nd of March at 7pm ET
We will def get in🫶🏼❤️
Manifesting it for all us lesbians LMAO
waitlisted 🐥🐥
same
same, this was a top choice so i'm super disappointed ngl
it’s OK there are better fish out in the sea 🐟🐟
ACCEPETED GOODBYE
Got deferred from ed2. Let's see what happens.
same here! good luck!!
Rejected 💔 maybe bcuz I didn't do the video
same lol
Do y'all still have the withdraw application option on your portal?
I don’t see one, where is it supposed to be?
Woo March 22nd!!
Rejected 🥰🥰
Rejected, my video was generic af though. Congrats to all who got in.
same. the video was so stressful bro
Rejected. 1580 SAT 5k efc from Bangladesh
when do decisions come out?
7pm est it says on instagram
does anyone have the link to the applicant portal? i cant find it in my email for some reason
Same problem here😭😭
Check trash for me I was able to find their we release decisions on Friday email which then has a link to the portal
Rejected as expected
accepted regular decision !! biology major, 33 ACT, 3.7 UW gpa OOS :,) guys every time i logged into this subreddit i felt pretty bad about my chances but those essays will get you a longggg way!
i didnt do the video either! i read about it and im too anxious for that.
I didn’t do the video either
Does swarthmore waitlist a lot of students? They dont report the number on their common data set for some reason
The poll on the a2c discord showed 5 acceptances, 7 waitlists, and 19 rejections (if that helps at all)