<p>@JuliaKim - I sent you a message, so let’s see if that worked. </p>
<p>Also, just saying - Tufts is where Tufts Syndrome “originated”, so I don’t know about having it as a safety.</p>
<p>Sorry for the fact that I was being such a hypocrite. Some tips:
- Don’t seem too cocky in the interviews
- Act professional for ALL interviews, even if it is Tufts
- Explain the sort-of low GPA
- Make up for it
- Say why you think that the college is nice, not why you think that it is amazing
- CC is quite brainwashing!</p>
<p>Also by the way, I was not trolling and by having a life I did not mean drinking and smoking. Thats the opposite. I mean like not worrying too much and sitting in front of the computer reading CC. Thats not going to help you whatsoever. Try to do something else instead of worrying and using CC to get rid of it. Just some advice</p>
<p>Hi Julia! As someone who was accepted into some of those schools and schools of similar caliber (but will not be attending), I think you have a great “chance” at admissions; I use scare quotes because I can’t really get to know you by your exam scores and activities alone. You seem to have a lot of interests, and your passions and activities definitely outline what I assume is your character. I think you should stop worrying about your chances and instead focus on making yourself appear as vibrant and genial on paper as I’m sure you are in reality. I wish you the best of luck, and I’m sure you’ll be very happy in whatever you do.</p>
<p>P.S. If you’re a National Merit Finalist you should look at schools with full scholarships and great business programs such as Northeastern and Fordham. The awards are competitive, though.</p>
<p>LOL. Tryhards should really try harder.</p>
<p>@collegeluva: Thanks for the help! I’ll probably look for one more safety just to be extra safe as many of you have pointed out that Tufts isn’t a real safety.
@Fotogenik: I got the message but I can’t reply. Guess I’ll have to get my post count up, don’t really want to spam in such a nice forum though. And I’m sure Tufts Syndrome applies to any school with an average of 2000+ SAT and acceptance rate in the 20s. It’s not just Tufts although they got the unfortunate burden of carrying that name for all these other schools.
@Tryhards: Thanks for the help! What’s the difference between saying a college is nice and saying a college is amazing? And trust me, I am not a person that sits here reading CC all day (I don’t even have enough post counts to send a PM!) I’m just coming on CC to make sure my college list is good enough for when I start applying and know my chances.</p>
<p>@mongo: Thank you for your kind words! This may be too personal but if you don’t mind answering, why did you choose not to attend high-caliber schools? Is it financial reasons or something else? Also, thanks for those school suggestions! I am not sure if I am finalist yet though but this is perfect timing since I was just looking for another safety.</p>
<p>@billcsho Alright, Ill try harder 
@JuliaKim I’m sorry that I seemed like a ■■■■■. I admit I was a bit harsh in my first post. The difference between saying a college is nice and amazing is that saying nice makes you sound like you genuinely like the college. Saying that it is amazing makes it look like you don’t care about it, you just want to get in because it is good. You look better when you say nice :)</p>
<p>I don’t think it really makes a difference.</p>
<p>Also, it sounds like you are very good at chess. The chess VP is great. But when you are doing your application etc, try to not elaborate on it. Many Ivies get many great chess players and we get sick of them sometimes(so we reject them). Mention it but don’t elaborate as it will make it seem like all you can do</p>
<p>Your right, it does not make a ground breaking difference but it will score some points.</p>
<p>anyone know if my lack of STEM achievements will hinder my chances?</p>
<p>I think Tryhards means that don’t say “Oh, this is the number 2 college in the world” or something that makes you not look passionate about the college.
He/she means that you should compliment the campus or a specific program at the college, I believe.</p>
<p>@JuliaKim I just realized since you can see my message, I’ll give you my email and you can email me. (:
Also, I don’t think a lack of STEM will hurt you that much b/c you’re not going into science or pure math. I don’t have a lot of STEM either.</p>
<p>@SmugAsian: thanks for explaining. I’ll be looking at colleges over the summer so I’ll make sure I take note on compliments to say.
@Fotogenik: good thinking but apparently, this forum censors email addresses. I got the stuff before the @ but everything after was censored.</p>
<p>Oh god, CC has so many different rules. Uhh, so you got the name part of my email? Well, it’s @************</p>
<p>In my last comment, UCB = UC Berkeley</p>
<p>@Fotogenik: still not working lol. It’s ok, this is getting to be too much of a hassle.
@FateGoneAwry: haha sorry I’m blind. Berkeley is only 4/10 though? That seems pretty low. I mean, its known as the best state school in America so I was expecting it to be the same level as Cornell or higher.</p>
<p>I think you have as good a shot as anyone at the top-level schools. Your musical expertise will not be overlooked – make sure you prepare and record an excellent musical supplement for ALL applications!</p>
<p>I disagree about the whole looking too perfect thing – that will NOT get you rejected at places like HYPSM, where a lot of the admits are “too perfect” or “overqualified” (ha). I would have some reservations about WUStL, though, as they do tend to waitlist a lot of exceptional students (like, HYPSM-accepted, national-level students) if they don’t show interest.</p>
<p>I’m not trying to single anyone out, though – lots of schools are accused of that. It’s to protect their yield: they only want to offer admission to people they think are likely to accept, so the excellent students who are using it as a safety may well be waitlisted while better “fits” are accepted.</p>