Northwestern vs. Tufts vs. Bowdoin

<p>The more I think about it, the more I want to apply ED. First off, if I'm accepted, then this whole process will be all over and I won't have to agonize over a big decision come April. And clearly applying ED gives you a little boost by showing your interest. Oh and, I don't see how I can go wrong if I get accepted ED applying to schools like these.</p>

<p>I am definitely applying to these three schools: Northwestern, Tufts, and Bowdoin as my top three choices. I have visited all three, but I havn't done an overnight so I don't really have a good grasp of what the atmosphere is like.</p>

<p>Can anyone persuade me for or against any of these schools?</p>

<p>I live close to Bowdoin, and very far away from Northwestern. I wouldn't mind being extremely close to home or extremely far away. My stats are probably a tad below average for all three schools (i.e. I'm just below the median Northwestern ACT score). As for my acedemic interests, well, I'm very science oriented. Maybe med school later on, or maybe I'll try engineering if I go to Tufts.</p>

<p>Any suggestions on which school I should go for? I'm getting really worried, because that Nov 1st and 15th deadlines are fast approaching. Thanks for the advice!</p>

<p>Most people recommend ED only if you have a definite first-choice school you love. However, if you have no real concerns about any of these schools, and your familiy is prepared to accept the financial situation that acceptance would bring, ED seems a reasonable strategy for you. But if you are not sure of your financial resources, and have some match and safety schools you like, I'd forget ED.</p>

<p>Since there are many differences among these three, I'm a bit surprised that you can't select a favorite, but you are correct that academically all three are excellent. So I guess would pick the school where you are most likely to be admitted. That would be either Tufts or Bowdoin. As for which of those to apply to, here are some things to consider: (1) There are significant differences in several areas (location, social environment, number and variety of academic programs, diversity, etc.) between Bowdoin (a small-town LAC) and Tufts (an urban university); (2) If you are intrigued by engineering, Tufts would be the play; (3) Though Tufts and Bowdoin have similar overall acceptance rates, Tufts has a higher ED acceptance rate (at least for the class that entered in 2003). </p>

<p>Finally, both schools offer ED II, which means that you would be able to take a second shot at ED if you elect to do so. But regardless of your ED choice, make sure you do have other match schools and at least one safety you are happy with and are planning on preparing solid RD applications to those schools.</p>

<p>Hmmm... I'm kind of leaning towards Northwestern.
Thanks for the advice, though.</p>

<p>Northwestern-some of their programs are very good, some are only average, so check out how they are in your probable major, obviously a journalism major isn't getting the same quality as a poli sci major, so you're not doing HPME?</p>

<p>Tufts-Not great except for IR,I think they're pretty good in science, but i'm not for sure, , I love locaton, just outside of boston, so it's the college experience, but close proximity to a city, </p>

<p>Bowdoin-I don't know much about this school, sorry</p>

<p>NU has a great Journalism school. I say its the right choice of these three.</p>

<p>but he's a science kid, why would he want to go for the J-school?</p>

<p>If you're looking at engineering, what about a couple of other schools such as Cornell, Lehigh, Lafayette, Bucknell, Union? -- But of the three you mention, Tufts would get my vote.</p>

<p>skyhigh5,</p>

<p>I feel some people here have given you VERY WRONG advice. As far as engineering goes, Northwestern's undergrad program is ranked 13th overall (with 3 depts in top 10 and all 9 depts in top 20) definitely MUCH better than Tufts and Bowdoin (do they actually have engineering?). NU's chemistry is also very strong with inorganic chemistry ranked in the top 5 (graduate ranking). It's bio/physics are comparatively weaker but by no means "average". Among all the schools I see being mentioned here, Cornell is the only one that has better program overall.</p>

<p>The J-school comment was in regards to what you said about Medill, their J-school. Its great. As for skyhigh, you should totally apply ED to Northwestern. You are likely to be admitted to the others RD, and NU ED really really is an advantage and you are a solid candidate. I think there is no question you should apply there ED</p>

<p>I'm going to a Bowdoin reception here in the Pacific Northwest tonight. I'll let you know what I learn.</p>

<p>What I do know is that Bowdoin is strong in the sciences, and has a small student population (about 1700). It has a history of progressiveness, and a great reputation. I guess what matters, is whether you prefer a large student population, Big time Division I sports, a greek system, etc... Also, a change of scenery might be the ticket, as you get the chance to see another part of the country and mingle with Midwesterners for example. Some of your education happends outside the classroom, so think about how a change of venue might affect or benefit you in the long run. </p>

<p>Anyways, I'll get back to you about Bowdoin, but there's something to be said about going away to college. Have a good one.</p>

<p>If you are thinking about engineering, I'd advise you to think twice about Tufts. It's engineering program isn't very highly regarded and I'm not really sure why they even offer engineering. Most of the engineering jobs in the Boston area go to MIT and Northeastern grads. Tufts is very good for liberal arts though.</p>

<p>It seems that Bowdoin has fairly good number of people from NW.</p>

<p>On the contrary, Tufts has an engineering program that is unlike most engineering programs of the nation. The Tufts engineering program mixes liberal arts with engineering instead of straight science, which is a common complaint at a lot of polytech schools. A lot of people have the option of switching in and out of engineering so that if people decide that it's not for them, they can alternate (at a specific point that is, usually by the end of freshman year). The only reason why the Tufts engineering department is not ranked highly is because there is a heavier focus on the undergraduate experience rather than on research and study. The funds allocated for higher ranked institutions may not be necessarily for the students, but rather for research. I can assure you that the difficulty of the engineering program is not as lackluster in comparison to other elite institutions as you may have been led to believe. My two cents as a Tufts student.</p>

<p>I have to disagree with your rationalization that Tufts allows for engineering students to get a more liberal-artsy education. Engineeering programs that are ABET accredited leave precious little room for mixing liberal arts with engineering.<br>
ABET specifies that certain courses MUST be taken for a degree, and the overwhelming majority of the ABET specified courses are ENGINEERING courses. Schools that wish to remain ABET accredited simply cannot change this.</p>

<p>I'll have to disagree with your disagreement. While it is true that engineering restricts a lot of courses, I believe that Tufts offers more leeway than other institutions. I know plenty of students who, on top of their crazy engineering schedules, elect to take LA classes such as feminist philosophy and history courses. It all depends on how motivated you are. Most of the engineers are pleased with their ability to take certain classes pass/fail so that they can learn for learning's sake, rather than just for the GPA boost. Motivation is a key factor.</p>

<p>But Snuffles, schools like Cornell, Michigan, Northwestern, Princeton and Stanford have much better programs in Engineering and offer equal opportunities for Engineers in the liberal arts. I agree that Tufts is not the best place to get an Engineering education.</p>

<p>That is true. It ultimately depends on a combination of factors as to what people prefer out of their schools. However, I am not so positive that a lot of the top engineering schools such as MIT and Cornell allow for the same LA opportunities.</p>

<p>Don't get me wrong here. Tufts is a great school for many subjects but sciences/engineering is not what Tufts excels at. Nothing wrong with that, they do many other things well. Every school has its weak spots. At Tufts, this is Engineering.</p>

<p>Engineering is not our strong suit, but I assure you that are premedical sciences are.</p>

<p>Admitting that Engineering at Tufts is not particularly strong goes a long way towards establishing your credibility. Care to explain why the sciences are "strong" at Tufts? I'm curious.</p>