Swarthmore College Admission Requirements
Swarthmore College remains one of the most competitive institutions for liberal arts in the United States. The admission process gets more difficult with every passing year as more aspirant candidates send in their applications. Admissions officers are usually spoiled for choice and very selective about who they pick.
With that said, you will have to focus on a few critical factors to improve your chances:
- Improve your GPA to 4.05 or above
- Submit competitive SAT or ACT scores
- Fulfill the basic application requirements
Let’s discuss how you can improve your academic profile to impress admissions officers.
About Swarthmore College
Swarthmore College was founded in 1864 in Pennsylvania and is said to be among the earliest coeducational colleges in the country. The institute isn’t as well known as its Ivy League counterparts, but it is just about as picky.
A look at their admission trends will reveal an acceptance rate of 9%, making it #2 in Pennsylvania for the lowest acceptance rate. This means that only 9 students out of every 100 applicants will make the cut. Admissions officers will closely scrutinize your academic career and place a lot of importance on GPA and test scores.
The college consistently produces industry-leading professionals who have the skills and talent to disrupt the world for the better. The college has produced five Nobel laureates including Christian Anfinsen in chemistry, Howard Martin in biology, and John Mather in Physics.
What are the GPA Requirements for Swarthmore College?
There doesn’t seem to be a minimum GPA threshold for students to meet in order to apply, but a look at admissions trends reveals that the average GPA for successful applicants is nearly 4.05. This means you’ll need to be at the top of your class with straight A’s and almost no room for B’s or C’s. You are also encouraged to take AP and IB classes. This demonstrates the eagerness to grow out of your comfort zone.
A lower GPA can be compensated with a high SAT or Act score.
What are the SAT Requirements for Swarthmore College?
You should take either the SAT or ACT to further improve your chances of getting into Swarthmore College. There is no SAT score cutoff that we know of but the admission profile of successful applicants reveals an average score of 1470. This can be strongly competitive and require students to really ace the test.
Consider hiring SAT tutoring services to increase your score above 1470 and almost guarantee your admission to Swarthmore College.
What are the ACT Requirements for Swarthmore College?
There is no ACT score cutoff for Swarthmore College but applicants shouldn’t go below 30 otherwise they risk getting their application binned. The average score for admitted students was 32 while the top percentile of applicants had an ACT score of 34.
Consider hiring ACT tutoring services to improve your score.
What is the College Application Process for Swarthmore College?
The application process for Swarthmore College isn’t very different compared to other universities in the country. Applicants will need to meet the following basics:
- A high school transcript with a GPA
- Freshman applicant with a personal statement showcasing their unique achievements
- Test scores for either the ACT or SAT
- Extracurricular activities (only recommended if students have below average scores)
- Letters of recommendation from teachers
- Fulfilling the basic requirements of the application
Wrapping Up
If you plan on joining Swarthmore College in its next admission cycle, you should start working on your academic profile as early as possible. Consider improving your GPA and getting straight A’s in nearly all classes. Make sure to dedicate sufficient time to prepare for the SAT or ACT tests. Use every resource at your disposal to impress admissions profiles.
If you need assistance in applying to Swarthmore College or want to improve your test scores, feel free to reach out to our tutoring services.
