Chances @ Tufts, Dartmouth, etc...

<p>Hello! I'd just like some input on my chances at my somewhat "finalized" college list. I'm a junior from a competitive public school ^^;</p>

<p>GPA: 3.45 uw/~3.989 w (hopefully going up to a 3.6 before apps go out)</p>

<p>SATI: 2200 [720v 760m 720w]</p>

<p>SATIIs:
- Chemistry 780
- MathIIC 720
- French 770</p>

<p>APs:
- Chem 5
- Euro 4</p>

<p>JUNIOR schedule -
AP Euro Hist
AP Chemistry
*H. Pre-cal
H. Humanities
H. French IV
H. Physics</p>

<p>(tentative) SENIOR schedule -
AP Calc AB
AP English
AP Enviromental Sci
AP French
H. Creative Writing
Portfolio [intensive art class, 15+ pieces for portfolio]
... other stuff. </p>

<p>*H. = honors</p>

<p>ECs:
- art/portfolios in national art competitions [golden globe, etc]; a few prizes. I'll be suppling an art portfolio with my application.
- community service 350+ hours [internships , hospital work]
- assistant editor of a regional non-profit literary magazine for elementary/middle schools (I spent a TON of time on this, this alone has 300+ hours and recs from the director)
- board of directors (our student gov't) 11, 12
- ultimate frisbee 9-11
- art club 9-11
- community service organizer 9, 11 [soup kitchen & elem school tutoring]
- m.o.s.t [community service club - we do things like walk for hunger, blood donations, etc] 11, 12</p>

<p>Semi-"finalized" college list - </p>

<p>Tufts University [applying ED]
Dartmouth College (lol, I know I have no hope here)
Brandeis University
UMass Amherst
Northeastern
BU/BC
Bates College
UConn
Syracuse University</p>

<p>And yes, I have visited most of the schools on this list. Essays should be decent if not excellent, decent recs.</p>

<p>Buuuuuuuuump!</p>

<p>Based on our high school record for the past 3 years, your gpa is a bit low for both Tufts and Dartmouth. You might have a better chance a Tufts if you are applying for the 5 year BA/BFA program with the Museum School. If you can get the Museum School to go to bat for you, you will significantly increase your chances. </p>

<p>My daughter has similar GPA and courses with 300 points lower on the SATs (UGH), we were told that even she might have a chance if the museum school goes to bat for her and Tufts wants some strong artistic kids. Tufts is worth the risk. I don't honestly think you have a chance at Dartmouth despite your stellar performance on the test.</p>

<p>You should be admitted to all the other schools that you noted other than Bates, which I know very little about.</p>

<p>I will say that most people who got into Tufts with your SATs had about 4.2 weighted! However, with schools like Tufts, if you have strong talent that they want such as art, you might have a good chance.</p>

<p>Yeah, I know my chances aren't THAT great considering my GPA, which stinks. I always thought that if I maintained high B's in an all honor curriculum, I could get in... =[ How would you suggest I go about expressing my artistic abilities? I've won a few awards (no notable mentions though), my art dept at school has chosen most of my pieces to send to nat'l competitions, and I've recieved the drawing award at my school (for one student out of ~500), but I haven't done anything else signifigant.</p>

<p>Do you think my chances will improve if I send a portfolio of my work?</p>

<p>And also - if I apply to Museum alongside Tufts (their 5 year program) how will that affect me going premed? What's the difference from applying JUST to Tufts University and applying to Museum/Tufts?</p>

<p>For what it's worth, one of the admission's officers at the Museum school got into Tufts on the BA/BFA program with only a 1350 on his SATs. I think he did have a 4.1 weighted average though. He also noted that when he applied to Tufts, he sent in his portfolio!</p>

<p>Sadly high "Bs" in an honors curriculum isn't as good as all As in mostly non honors. Most college lecturers note that taking tough courses is very desireable AS LONG AS YOU DO WELL IN THEM.</p>

<p>You really do need a killer essay showing your passion for art. You do need to mention all awards and accolades. If you are considering a career in art, I would strong suggest that you look at the 5 year BA/BFa program with the Museum School. You will get a Tufts degree. If you aren't interested in art then you will have a tougher time.</p>

<p>Tufts using the common application; thus, it isn't that much of a hassle to apply to them and take your chances. You really never know.</p>

<p>As for premed, it won't affect your chances as long as you take the minumum required science courses. In fact, if you want, you can change your mind once you are admitted. </p>

<p>If you are going pre med though, I would attend an easier school. Grades and boards are all that matters to professional schools. I would think that getting top grades at Tufts would be harder than at some of your other choices. In addition, with your SATs, you should get some decent merit money at some of these other schools such as Syracuse.</p>

<p>Oh! Thanks for your reply. </p>

<p>I really want to attend Tufts for a few main reasons. </p>

<p>1] Location. Since I live only about ~30 minutes away from the campus, it's easy commute for me, and plus - I'm familiar with the T in the Boston area, having taking to travel back and forth to classes in Boston.
2] It's med school... I've read somewhere (from a reliable source, though) that 90%+ of Tufts undergrad applicants to their med school are accepted, with just a 3.5 GPA, at the least.
3] Travel - I want to take spring of junior year studing abroad. Since I'll probably be a biochem/french double major, I'm aspiring for research opportunities in Europe. </p>

<p>So, yes. I really hope to get into Tufts. A family friend of ours had a son who also got into Tufts University - he wasn't a spectacular student (B student, I believe) though from a prep school, with decent SATs.</p>

<p>But if not... I still have schools to fall back upon! Any other input?</p>

<p>buuuuuuuuuuump~</p>

<p>hey. wow, you answered my thread with how similar we are, and i can't help but return that thought when i looked at ur stats. it's like we're slacker twins. anyways, i would recc sending in an art portfolio for sure (check with the website) and also entering in some art contests. scholastic has a good one. if i find out about anymore art contests, i'll let you know. good luck, tufts is one of my choices too.</p>

<p>First of all, let me tell you that you have very impressive stats...</p>

<p>Tufts University [applying ED]- Waitlisted (GPA!!!)
Dartmouth College - Waitlisted (GPA)
Brandeis University- Accepted
UMass Amherst- Accepted W/ Money
Northeastern- Accepted W/Money
BU/BC Accepted w/ money ... Accepted
Bates College- Accepted
UConn- Accepted W/ Full ride
Syracuse University- Accepted</p>

<p>Why would you say waitlisted, what is that, just a nicer rejection?</p>

<p>waitlisted isn't a nicer rejection. i know lots of ppl who have gotten in their dream colleges after being waitlisted. just to make it that far is pretty good. sorry, i didn't mean to make your stats sound bad, precocious, it's just we have similar ones and we both acknowledge we're slackers!</p>

<p>You have more than a great shot at all those schools. Dartmouth is the only one I'd be iffy about - but it won't matter once you've been accepted to Tufts ED, right?</p>

<p>Good luck :).</p>