Any chance?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Tufts University
1

<p>Applying: ED Round 2</p>

<p>~ Stats
GPA: 3.69
SAT I: 1930 (700V/650M/580W) [Retaking October. Writing should definitely end up in the 650-750 range.]
SAT IIs: 740 Biology, Math Level 2 in November (I'm a solid math student when it comes to precalculus and beyond; should be over 700)
Class Rank: 41/642</p>

<p>~ AP Classes
Junior Year:
AP Biology (5)
AP US History (4)
AP Physics B (3... It was right after Biology and I didn't get enough sleep.)</p>

<p>Senior Year:
AP Calculus BC
AP Physics C (To make up for the Physics B threefold. My strongest classes are Physics and Calculus)
AP Chemistry
AP English Lit.
AP Economics</p>

<p>~ Other Relevant Junior/Senior year Classes
English 11 Honors (Wasn't offered AP Eng. Lang)
Math 12 Honors (Precalculus + Intro to Differential & Integral Calculus)
Human Anatomy and Physiology (Combination class with AP Bio. AWESOME labs and dissection)
Spanish IV Honors
Honors Genetics I and II</p>

<p>~ College Classes @ Stony Brook University
Introduction to Calculus (Sophomore year of HS) - GPA 4.0
Calculus A (Junior Year of HS) - GPA 4.0
-- Cumulative GPA: 4.0</p>

<p>~ Activities/Work Experience/Hobbies
[School cut all clubs senior year to save money. Anything listed occurred from 9-11, for the most part. I'll probably volunteer at the school library as a tutor to make up for the school's cut.]
Math Team (Co-Captain)
Science Olympiad
Science Club
Webslingers (Maintain school website)
Volunteer Center (Community Service club, you could call it)
French Club
Spanish Club </p>

<p>Paid to maintain online game. ::Shrug::
Computer Programming (4 years)
Various Church fundraisers/activities</p>

<p>All right. I'm retaking the SAT I in October to boost my SATs up to at least a 2000 (perhaps 2100, depending on how things go). Practices indicate that my Verbal will probably stay the same, my math may or may not increase 30-50 points, and my horrendous writing was a screw-up that should be in the range of 650-750. </p>

<p>I know my statistics aren't so solid. My GPA/Rank is affected mainly by my Freshman/sophomore years - my lowest overall grade in an AP class has been a 96 (Chem teacher inspired me mid-sophomore year, allowing me to come out of my slump and take my classes head-on). If grades are calculated first quarter/midyear (as my school usually does it), my rank and GPA should increase significantly.</p>

<p>I've visited Tufts, taken the tour, attended an information session, attended a class (and spoke with the professor, respectively), and dined on campus. Tufts is definitely for me. Do I stand a chance? Advice and tips are also very appreciated.</p>

2

<p>Just as an additional note, you won't see sports up on that list. My family's income is low (blue collar, never went to college) and I live on Long Island, which is a fairly expensive place. Sports were just too much money. Will that hurt me?</p>

3

<p>your chances look good, but I would question your EDII commitment if you do not have the finances on hand to pay for the tuition (40k a year). Though the financial aid is very generous you lose your leverage ability when it comes to ED. The best of luck, however :)</p>

4

<p>Thanks. That's true. I wouldn't apply ED II if I were unable to come up with necessary plan to afford it. This is only tentative until a more definitive plan is hammered out (I have a month or so). It'll depend on several things. The family is rather economical and the house is for sale, so how that pans out will decide what happens and also on my grandparents (who will be making a contribution) and my neighbor (scholarship she usually obtains for her grandkids but thought it nice enough to attempt the same for me).</p>

<p>However, if things don't pan out within November and I end up having to apply RD, do you have any other college suggestions?</p>

5

<p>If you cannot apply ED but still consider Tufts your first choice, I would send a letter to the admissions office explaining your situation and how you would love to be a student here; in addition, it would be advised to put something to the same effect on the "anything else you'd like to tell us" section of your application.</p>

6

<p>Well my predictions were just about right. My SATs are now a 2140 (700CR/650M/790W). I wish I had improved the math as well, as that's my strongest academic area along with the sciences, but I guess I'll have to leave that to the Math IIC (I hope!).</p>