Swarthmore College has sent letters of admission to 929 prospective members of the Class of 2016. Fourteen percent of the 6,589 students who applied were offered a position in the first year class. Based on previous admissions patterns, Swarthmore expects this group of admitted students to yield a first-year class of about 372 for next fall.

"Swarthmore continues to attract intellectually engaged and socially conscious and active students from all corners of the country and across the globe, and we are excited by the contributions the enrolled students will make on our campus," says Jim Bock '90, vice president and dean of admissions. The 6,589 applications mark the highest number the College has ever received, with the largest increases coming from California, Florida, Arizona, and Virginia.

Of the admitted students attending high schools reporting class rank, 33 percent are valedictorians or salutatorians. Fifty-three percent are in the top two percent of their high school class and 90 percent are in the top decile.

The admitted students come from or represent six continents, 57 nations, and 49 U.S. states as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. California is the most highly represented home state of members in the newly admitted class. Following, in order, are New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, Texas, Virginia, Illinois, and Connecticut.

China, with 10 students, is the most represented nation among non-U.S. citizens in the admitted class. Eight are from India. Five each are from Korea and the United Kingdom. Four each are from Canada, Ghana, and Singapore.  Three each are from Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Pakistan.  Two each are from Australia, Brazil, Egypt, France, Japan, Kenya, Myanmar, Nepal, Palestine, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam. One each is from Austria, Belgium, Bhutan, Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Philippines, Senegal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Switzerland.

Additionally, there are many students who carry dual citizenships with the U.S. or who have permanent residency whose nationalities are not included in this summary.

Fifty-six percent of the admitted students come from public high schools, twenty-seven percent from private independent schools, seven percent from parochial schools, and ten percent from schools overseas. Fourteen percent of the admitted students are among the first generation in their family to attend college.

Engineering is the most popular intended major among the admitted students. Next, in order, are biology, political science, "undecided," economics, English, history, mathematics, physics, biochemistry, and peace studies.