<p>I'm applying early decision to either Davidson or Tufts, but I can't seem to figure out which one I ought to apply ED to. I have a 2170 on my SAT, which is fine for both schools. In terms of admissions, I'm not too concerned about getting accepted to either of them.</p>
<p>Davidson:
1. sister went there and loved it
2. physical education program is great
3. milder winters</p>
<p>Tufts:
1. in the heart of Boston
2. more diversity
3. more recognized</p>
<p>What would you guys say? Is there a clear winner?</p>
<p>I would choose Tufts but I am prejudiced. Not in the heart of Boston, but you can be downtown in 15-20 minutes or so.</p>
<p>Tufts accepts fewer students than Davidson (22 versus 25%), and you are probably considered a legacy at Davidson so your odds are better there for two reasons. Also your stats look better at Davidson.</p>
<p>If you honestly cannot decide between the two, then apply RD to both. Tufts ED is binding.</p>
<p>Cross-post your question in the forums for each school. You are more likely to get opinions that way.</p>
<p>The big problem with Tufts for my D is that students tend to live off-campus after sophomore year. It doesn’t have the same feel of a residential college. Both are great choices, though, and I’d agree - Boston is an awesome college town.</p>
<p>65% of Tufts students live on campus. I think upperclassmen who want to stay on campus now can do that. I do think the feel **is **of a residential campus, but the campus is not as isolated as some others. Most of the houses closest to campus are rented out to students or are frats. Personally I love the campus and the local options for food and entertainment etc. are awesome.
Another difference is that Tufts student body is bigger than Davidson, about 5200 undergrads.</p>
<p>No clear winner but two very different educational experiences. It really comes down to what kind of environment you personally prefer for your education.</p>
<p>If you’re not deeply in love with one of them, you shouldn’t be applying ED to either. Especially to Tufts, where the admissions folks really want to see in your essays why you want to go there. The only thing I see in your original post that sounds at all enthusiastic about either school is about Davidson’s Phys Ed program…which isn’t even a major, just a course requirement. </p>
<p>Since your sister went to Davidson I’d assume you’ve visited that campus. Have you visited Tufts? How have students from your high school, with similar stats to you, fared in admissions at both schools during RD? Even if you’d see a significant admissions tip for applying ED, I’d still suggest you apply to both schools RD.</p>
<p>Tufts isn’t exactly in the “heart of Boston”. Its nearby, in Medford, but not IN Boston. And these are very different schools with respect to their personality. And these are tough schools to gain admission to, though I don’t know off the top of my head how many get in to either ED. Do an overnight at each, sit in on classes and get to know some stuents, if you can.</p>