Another chances thread...sorry :-)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Tufts University
1

<p>Hi everyone,</p>

<p>I was wondering what my chances might be for Tufts EDI this fall (I apologize for the long amount of reading in this thread...:-).</p>

<p>-Caucasian male, low income family (below 25,000/year), attending a competitive suburban school in MA</p>

<p>GPA: 3.2 (will explain below)
-All honors/APs</p>

<p>Senior Schedule:
Humanities Honors
AP Chemistry
Psychology Honors (school doesn't offer AP)
Calculus AB
Forensic Science
Gender Studies Honors
Assembly Language Programming Honors</p>

<p>ACT: 28, with a 9/12 on the essay (will retake in fall, I might do better 'cause I took it without any studying the first time)</p>

<p>Essays: I'm going to work hard on them, probably good</p>

<p>Rec's: Excellent...AP Physics teacher/Civilization teacher</p>

<p>EC's/Work Experience:
-TJ Maxx Customer Service Coordinator/Frontline Supervisor (about 30 hrs/week during school) (Employee of the Quarter....w00t?)
-Boy Scouts of America (Life Scout - the rank under Eagle) (about 100 hrs of community service - undocumented)
-Mass. General Hospital Radiation Oncology Volunteer (about 50 hrs documented) (this summer)
-Museum of Science Boston Discovery Center/Museum Store Volunteer (about 850 hrs documented, hoping to reach 1000 by the time I apply)
-MOS SciCORE Exhibit Hall Interpretation Summer Internship (summer going into 11th grade)
-MOS Courses, Assistant Teacher Summer Internship (this summer)
-Math Leage (top freshman/sophomore scorer)
-Chess Club (probably not important)
-Rotary Youth Leadership Awards - 2005
-National History Day Competitor (Group Documentary) - went to the regional competition)</p>

<p>Here's the problem...my grades junior year were significantly lower than previous years (I had mostly A's and B's during freshman/sophomore year in all honors) because of some severe clinical depression I was dealing with during junior year, combined with the fact I was working 30 hrs/week and taking the hardest curriculum possible. My guidance counselor told me she would write a long note about it with the school record (we're pretty close because I've been seeing her weekly since freshman year) and explain everything that happened, and I thought I might be able to write about it in one of Tuft's essays as well. I'm planning on working extremely hard first quarter and will hopefully pull up my grades significantly.</p>

<p>Do you all think I should even apply early to Tufts, or maybe not? I've shown a significant amount of interest and have visited about 3 times already. But with my current junior grades I don't really know if it's even worth it (I had 2 C's, 3 B's, and an A- in AP Physics).</p>

<p>Thanks a lot for taking the time to read this :o</p>

2

<p>I would say if would be most beneificial to apply EDII. That way you can get your grades back up and show Tufts that the poor marks were an abberation rather than a trend. However, it will still be tough to get in. Tufts does not have a ton of money, this has resulted in, I think, need-aware admissions. Coming from a lower income family, sadly, this works against you. If you can get your grades back up, get your acts up, and have your counselor write an explanatory letter, you should give it a shot, but it will be tough.</p>

3

<p>I agree - it will be a long-shot. I'm pleased that Tufts is making it a top-priority to go need-blind in the next few years, as the "need-aware" plan currently in place is a temporary meausre that is detrimental in situations like this. Certainly write the letter, it can only be beneficial. EDII would be probably best (as was said above)...RD the pool might just be too unwieldy.</p>

4

<p>Don't be discouraged by Tufts not being need blind. While it does play a factor my family income is less than 40 and I still got in. (also, my avg was a 95 Weighted so I was a bit below Tufts averages too) Good luck!</p>

5

<p>I'm sorry - I hope I didn't sound discouraging :( I didn't mean to be in the least...If you need money, they will give it to you (hence, the "need-aware"). In short, I wouldn't worry about the financial part.</p>