<p>Well, I am applying to Tufts regular decision (I would do EDII but I can't handle full tuition) and I really want to go there. I'm trying to express this as much as I can in my essays, but everywhere I hear Tufts' stress on SATs. Here's a Sparknotes version of my stats; let me know what you think.</p>
<p>Hispanic male - New Jersey
GPA: 3.8uw/4.0+w
Rank: 26/370
SAT: 670 CR, 680 Math, 700 Writing
SATII ( :o ): Lit 570, USHis. 590, MathI 670
ECs: Successful band (local circuit + full-length cd), Mock Trial (3yrs.), Debate/Model Congress (3yrs.), Drama/Theatre (4yrs.), started a humanitarian/human rights group in my school, class president</p>
<p>Emphasize your human rights group you started -- Tufts is really big on "active citizenship." Yes, your SATs aren't fab, but that's not the whole picture, especially considering your wonderful ECs and relatively good rank. You have a 50/50 chance -- greater, if no one else from your school who's got better stats than you applies.</p>
<p>Hey chameleon, you said that you would do EDII but you can't afford full tuition.
Are you saying that people who apply ED1 or ED2 have less of a chance of getting financial aid?</p>
<p>He's saying people who get in ED don't get to compare financial aid packages because they only get one -- from the school they get into ED.</p>
<p>Thanks much, lolabelle. Yeah, Dkspikez, it's because the agreement for early decision I would have to sign would bind me to any financial aid package I'm given, even if it's full tuition. Lolabelle, thanks again. Any other suggestions anyone?</p>
<p>Aid awards aren’t determined by which decision option you choose (ED vs. RD) Lollabelle is correct, however, that you would forgo the opportunity to compare financial aid distributions from numerous colleges. Loan vs grant percentages can, and do, vary substantially from institution to institution. There are universities that have a no loan policy (Princeton for one) or meet full need with no loans if guardian income is below $60,000/yr--Harvard, Princeton, etc. Many colleges will offer additional aid (above FAFSA guidelines) to cover the Massachusetts mandated health insurance--Smith, etc)</p>