Hi y’all I’ve recently been admitted to both Tufts and Case Western as an engineering physics major. At first I was sold on Tufts because it’s in Boston and has a higher overall ranking. However, I’m having second thoughts about Tufts due to their housing policies regarding LGBT things. Furthermore, it seems that Case is actually ranked above Tufts in terms of engineering. Is Tufts known as more of a liberal arts school?
Any insight would be helpful. Thanks!
Case has a great engineering program.
Tufts is not a school that immediately comes to mind when I hear “engineering.”
In comparing rankings of engineering programs, also consider the reputation score (scaled from 1 to 5) on which the rankings are based. This will help you interpret whether differences are meaningful. In its USN category, CWRU ranks 39th with a score of 3.4; Tufts ranks 54th with a score of 3.1.
https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate
Tufts was founded by Universalists, it is one of the most LGBT friendly schools in the country. It is more LGBT friendly than Case. As is the surrounding area.
https://www.campusprideindex.org/campuses/details/73?campus=tufts-university
https://www.campusprideindex.org/campuses/details/19?campus=case-western-reserve-university
The difference between engineering cultures will be even greater because Tufts takes a more liberal approach to engineering. This includes more of a focus on undergrad teaching, student faculty ratios, attrition and graduation rates. This makes it more nurturing/supportive, less Darwinian/weedout. They are leaders in this area dating back to the '80s. Locally, it is referred to as a “kindler, gentler” MIT. This can be either a plus or a minus depending on your personality, but it tends to be a better fit for some. Interestingly, MIT’s most impactful alum (Vannevar Bush) received his Batchelors and Masters from Tufts and his Phd from MIT -but most people tend to associate him with MIT and not Tufts.
Case’s engineering program is about twice the size of Tufts’ and offers a different mix of sub-disciplines. You have not told us the sub-discipline you want to pursue, but unless you are interested in a sub discipline that Tufts does not offer, Tufts is likely to be a better fit.