<p>I think Tufts is a great match for me...could you tell me if I stand a good
shot??
I was born in russia and moved here when I was 6,
skipped middle school all together to hitchhike around the
world with my father on life insurance money as a result of
my mother's death. Now I'm in foster care and a
junior at Clarence High School in upstate NY. I skipped 10th
grade so that I could be with my age group and I have a 4.0
(96) gpa.
newSATV:670 (I got a 100 on the english regents exam)
newSATm:570 (hopefully will improve after kaplan course)
newSATw:670
Will take SAtIIs in october.
APs: EnglishLan, EnglishLit, Biology, US history, Government.
honors french and Advanced painting among others.
ECs: (hope to improve senior year)
NHS
International club treasurer/vice-president
Yearbook senior editor
Art partner
Stage crew
Vollunteer at SPCS, local animal shelter, city food bank,
nursing home (will get 134 hours).
Summer full-time/ fall part-time job at fashionbug</p>
<p>I hope to major in international relations and minor in psychology
and art. I know the stats aren't as impressive as some other peoples,
but do you guys think I can get in on my "overcoming adversity" stats
and my "thirst for learning" ?????
please let me know....thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>
<p>Hi Lily. I think one of the reasons no one is responding is because your story is an extremely unique one and so it is difficult to judge your chances "by the numbers." I read the responses you received over at the Cornell forum and I believe most of what the posters stated to you over there hold true for Tufts, also.</p>
<p>The biggest difference would be that Tufts ad coms are looking for applicants who show interest in Tufts. So, applying early decision, visiting, interviewing, emailing your area rep with questions about Tufts and so on go a longer way at Tufts than at Cornell. I understand that Cornell is your first choice and that you plan to apply early decision (or is it early action? whateva. ;> ) If you are not accepted or you are deferred, you may want to consider applying to Tufts in their second round of Early Decision.</p>
<p>Thanks. It's good that Tufts has a second round for early decision, I'll apply that way for sure. I do have a lot of interest in the school because of location, size, courses, and because of the fletcher school which has my intended major as a graduate degree program. Should I mention all this in the essay? Also, is an interview required or recommended? I know I have a ''different'' situation, but I think that makes my application only stronger. </p>
<p>I would recommend visiting Tufts before you apply since it shows that you are sincere about wanting to go to Tufts. People who show interest in Tufts can significantly boost their chances of getting in, as evidenced by the admissions rates for ED1 and ED2.</p>
<p>Interview is recommended. Every year, about 80% of the students are interviewed. You'll get a call sometime in the fall or winter about that. </p>
<p>Don't waste your essay on that. The essay should be about you. Use a cover letter, addendum, or second essay to write about your interest in the school.</p>
<p>Okay, I'll try to visit the school and get an interview in the fall as well. Do I have a fair chance of being admitted to Tufts, though, if I show interest? Besides showing interest what is their other main factor (ec's, scores, etc...) that is crucial for a solid chance at acceptance?</p>
<p>I think that improving your math SAT (over 600) would probably be the best thing you could do right now. Once upon a time, there was a nice chart of acceptance rates for students within certain ranges of SAT scores - very useful. </p>
<p>My guess (just that) is that, if you apply in the fall, you have a shot at getting in. The application fee won't be wasted. With 16,000 people applying for 1,200 slots (roughly 400 of which are taken up by early decision applicants), the best you can really hope for is a reasonable shot - which you have. Your story is unusual enough. My advice: make sure that you write an essay about your story, have it in recommendations, and make sure you get an interview!</p>
<p>Thanks, I know my math SAT is weak...but I've only had two years of math since 5th grade and I got high 80s/low 90s those two years in regents math. I'm getting tutoring and, hopefully, taking a kaplan course to improve my math score. It's helpful, obviously, that I'm not going to major in a math field. :-) I hope the admissions people see how far I've come, considering my obstacles, and I'll make sure to explain everything in a strong essay.
Any other comments??</p>
<p>Psychologically, it's easier to take a student with a 600 than a 570 - even though there isn't much difference. So you're really close to that psychological cut-off - good luck! :) Just getting the tutoring and such should really help out.</p>
<p>Perhaps, if you are still behind in a few things, you could outline your plan for continued study over the summer (senior year before college) to demonstrate that you are serious about keeping up and making up for lost time?</p>
<p>That's a good idea, maybe I can take summer classes next summer to let them know I'm serious.
Should i work more on my ec's or are they acceptable? The things I do have on my list are things I'm really passionate about, but since I'm graduating in three years I lost out on the yearbook editor-in-chief position because of seniority. Will that hurt my chances?</p>
<p>Quality and passion are more important than quantity. I really don't think that admissions is going to obsess over yearbook positions - they have thousands of applications to evaluate. </p>
<p>If you are passoinatea bout your extracurriculars, then try to convey that passion through your essay and interview. It can be helpful to do a checklist of things you want to convey: passion for extracurriculars, life story, ways you are trying to remedy academics, achievements, and interest in the school. Find a good place in the application & interview (or even recommendations) to put those things. For example, cover letter might be interest in the school; one essay could be about your favourite EC; another essay could be about your life story; and your resume (you should do one of those!) might have your achievements.</p>
<p>wow, you do have an interesting story. based on my experience, i got accepted with a 560v (those short stories in the comprehension part are wayyy too boring for me) and 780m (i thought i got them all correct but oh well) on the SAT 1. so i think you either have to be really good at one or decent at both (600s). in my case, math was my stronger point. well good luck on your college preparation!</p>