Editor’s note: This article was initially published in The Daily Gazette, Swarthmore’s online, daily newspaper founded in Fall 1996. As of Fall 2018, the DG has merged with The Phoenix. See the about page to read more about the DG.
Acceptance letters have been sent out and this week admitted students will begin swarming the campus, as the class of 2009 begins to form.
Of the 4,085 applications received overall, 900 students were accepted, giving Swarthmore a 22% acceptance rate this year. 321 of the applications were early decision, and 50% of those–160 students–were accepted. According to Dean of Admissions Jim Bock ’90, the approximate class size will be 383 students, up from 370 this past year. Assuming that number holds, early decision students will make up 42% of the class–a figure he considers rather high, but which is in between that of peer schools.
The overall number of applicants was up by 11%, and early decision applications increased 3%. However, there were none of the downsides that usually come with an increase in application: “As the pool increased this year, the quantitative quality remained consistent, which was exciting,” said Bock.
Part of the reason for the increase is likely due to the more aggressive admissions campaigns. Bock noted that besides the new DVD and viewbook, this year Admissions began email campaigning, something that most peer schools do not do, to increase the communication with prospective students and to encourage applications. There was also more follow up in November and December, by which point most schools have finished sending out materials. Bock believes that the last-minute communication may have motivated more students to complete their applications. Swarthmore has also joined in a new travel consortium with Wesleyan, Johns Hopkins, and Davidson, a change that has resulted in greater visibility.
In putting together the class of 2009, the admissions department looked first and foremost for academics: the best and brightest, but also those with a passion for learning. “Beyond that,” said Bock, “it’s about creating a community.” Admissions keeps an eye out to fill the varsity sports as well as arts and music programs. Due to the unique format of the engineering department, engineers are also recruited. Finally, they look for diversity in a class: racially, socioeconomically, and geographically.
However, unique and interesting accomplishments tend to stick out. Every year for Ride the Tide, Bock compiles a list of those that caught his eye. Some of these students include a woman who designs and builds her own cellos (“Not a music major,” he added), a female helicopter pilot, and a prospective engineer who built a 5-foot long, pvc-pipe constructed, lighter fluid-fed, barbeque sparker-ignited cannon, capable of shooting potatoes over several football fields.
Many of these admitted students will be flocking to campus this Thursday and Friday for Ride the Tide. Over 300 students have RSVPed, up from the record 275 that attended last year. Ride the Tide was shortened to two days this year, mostly to reduce competition with other schools’ programs and to prevent students from missing too much school.
