Spec
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A prospective student. This term is unique (as far as SWIL can determine) to Swarthmore, Haverford, and Bryn Mawr. Many other colleges call these people "prospies" or "prefrosh", but "spec" is generally agreed to be more dignified than the former, and less clunky than the latter.
There has been some debate over whether students admitted through Early Decision properly count as specs at Ride the Tide (formerly Spec Weekend), or whether they have already advanced to prefrosh or freshman status.
Former Dean Bob Gross '62 was fairly certain that the term had come into use between his departure as a graduating senior, and his return to Swarthmore as an employee, since this is what had happened with his own pet mystery word, "Swattie".
