OFFICIAL: Tufts University Class of 2019 ED1 Decision Thread

Colleges and Universities A-Z Tufts University
21

<p>Decision: Accepted</p>

<p>Objective:
[ <em>] SAT: 2130 - 740 writing, 740 critical reading, 650 math
[ *] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): I have honestly no idea
[</em>] SAT subject tests: 800 french, 720 english lit, 710 spanish
[<em>] Senior Year Course Load: in the French bac with International Option (OIB) we don’t get to choose our course load, but it was basically heaviest course load you could get
[</em>] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): I wish</p>

<p>[/list]Subjective:
[<em>] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): head of yearbook writing team, piano ever since I was a little girl, science club, teacher of a kids’ intro to computer programming class, peer leader - welcoming new students to school, environmental club (co-founder), ballet dance (soloist)
[</em>] Job/Work Experience: english tutor
[<em>] Volunteer/Community service: various projects, none of which appeared on my common app
[</em>] Summer Activities: internship in a pharmaceutical lab, other than that basically nothing
[<em>] Essays: wrote common app essay about stargazing as a catharsis, liked it better right after I finished it, when re-reading it just before submitting my application I found it rather boring. Why Tufts really really good, I worked super hard to get it perfect. Let your life speak I wrote about conciliating the american and french cultures - worked less on but was still happy with it. I almost chose the nerdy side supp but then decided on the sports one, writing about being a mets and patriots fan - it was funny enough in my humble opinion
[</em>] Teacher Recommendation: 8/10 from my english teacher who really likes me but tends to be on the lazy side so might not have written much + 6/10 from my french history teacher who doesn’t know me that well, and who’s letter had to be translated into english
[li] Counselor Rec: 7/10 was never really close with her but we got on well enough</p>[/li]
<p>[/list][ b]Other**
[<em>] Country (if international applicant): France
[</em>] School Type: Private bilingual school, incredibly competitive and well-ranked
[<em>] Ethnicity: white
[</em>] Gender: Female
[<em>] Income Bracket(mention if FA candidate): middle class, applied for financial aid
[</em>] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): nope</p>

<p>[/list][ b]Reflection**
[<em>] Strengths: ECs, rigorous course load, essays essays essays essays!
[</em>] Weaknesses: SAT math and math in general (I got a C in math my sophomore and junior years)
[<em>] Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: it has to come down to my essays, in which I poured my heart and soul and showed why I was the perfect fit for Tufts
[</em>] Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: n/a, but if I hadn’t gotten into Tufts I would have applied Vassar ED2 (had legacy), Johns Hopkins, Colgate, Haverford, Boston College and Trinity </p>

<p>[/list][ b]General Comments: ** I didn’t honestly think I had a shot because of my grades and the fact that my school had two other, more qualified students also applying Tufts ED (who also got in), but somehow my love for Tufts translated into my application and admissions saw that! Barring a financial aid disaster, I’m sososo excited to be a Jumbo and I can’t wait to meet all of the Class of 2019!!</p>

22

<p>@micmatt513‌ I wasn’t sure that they would let me do an interview if I was deferred but I’ll definitely ask about that. I wish I would get out there again but I’m from Western PA so I’d have to fly and I don’t have the time or money to do that. I’ll definitely take the Math II… I’m worried because I took a few practice tests before and decided against taking it because I took pre-calc/trig over the summer two years ago with an unqualified teacher and minimal geometry back in middle school so I’m going to have to learn a lot of the stuff that didn’t carry over into calc…</p>

23

<p>[ size=+2][ color=green][ b]Decision: Accepted**[/color][/size]</p>

<p>[ b]Objective:**
[ *] SAT I (breakdown): N/a
[ *] ACT: 33 (english: 35, math: 35, reading: 33, science: 30, writing: 11)
[ *] SAT II: didn’t send
[ *] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.99
[ *] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): n/a
[ *] AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Lit (4), and APUSH (4)
[ *] IB (place score in parenthesis):
[ *] Senior Year Course Load: Heavy: AP Bio, AP Modern Euro, Honors English Electives, Intro to Calc, Honors Spanish Electives
[ *] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Honors Society, Paper of Distinction Award at school, honor roll at school</p>

<p>[ /list][ b]Subjective:**
[ *] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Forum Council (VP), school newspaper (editor), peer tutoring (tutor), Jefferson Awards Club (Member), XC team (member)
[ *] Job/Work Experience: worked at my mom’s restaurant on the weekends, internship with DC lobbying firm was one of the best experiences of my life
[ *] Volunteer/Community service: Worked in DC, worked at a thrift shop, helped with local man’s campaign for senate, peer tutoring during school… most important work was with IOCC (international Orthodox Christian Charity) a non profit that helps families in need all over the world, particularly Greek families struck by the current economic crisis. I held fundraisers at my church and hosted jeans days at my school, and gave a presentation to both the church and my school peers.
[ *] Summer Activities: Internship at a lobbying firm in Washington DC, spent two summers at pre-college programs (studying English at Georgetown and microeconomics at UPenn)
[ *] Essays: Strong, I made them super personal and wrote a lot about my family and love of writing - I wrote about how although my family is wild and quirky, they have taught me lessons through their craziness that I wouldn’t have been able to
[ *] Teacher Recommendation: Strong, 2 history teachers and one english teacher… my councilor actually sent three for some reason but you only need one… I think 3 is a bit too much. My English teacher’s was the best (he let me read it) - not only was he my teachers sponsor for my school magazine, but he was the teacher of the student I peer-tutored and wrote about watching the student develop through me.
[ *] Counselor Rec: Strong
[ *] Additional Rec: From my boss at the lobbying firm
[ *] Interview: wasn’t available to me
[ *] Supplementary Material: Links to my blog/extra writing pieces</p>

<p>[ /list][ b]Other**
[ *] State (if domestic applicant): DE
Country (if international applicant):
[ *] School Type: Private
[ *] Ethnicity: Greek-American
[ *] Gender: F
[ *] Income Bracket(mention if FA candidate): N/a
[ *] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): N/a</p>

<p>[ /list][ b]Reflection**
[ *] Strengths: Speak 3 languages (Spanish, Greek, and English) and have a really diverse background as a Greek girl growing up in America, my life is full of ups and downs and quirks that have strengthened me over time and helped me develop into who I am today. In addition, I had an internship, something that none of my other classmates did, which gave me real work experience and I believed help me stand out among my peers, especially when putting down a major - I made sure everything on my application fit in with my selected major (international relations) and made me a strong candidate for such a select school.
[ *] Weaknesses: I always did wish my test scores were higher (mainly in the sciences)
[ *] Why you think you were accepted: My essays and creative writing pieces - my test scores were okay and I had a fine GPA, but numbers can only tell you so much and get you so far.
[ *] Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Accepted to all four school I applied to - UVA, Villanova, UD Honors (only applied to early action schools because Tufts was binding and ED)
[ *] If rejected, where are you looking now?</p>

<p>[ /list][ b]General Comments: **</p>

24

<p>I’m a Parent. My daughter was admitted ED1. I’d give her stats but I don’t want to single her out. I’m somewhat mystified. I read and hear Tufts is a great school, but where I live and in the circles I socialize no one has heard of Tufts. She’s likely going because of specific talent. She has a 33 ACT superscore and a 32 regular. Should I be ecstatic or could she have done better?</p>

25

<p>I guess it all depends on your definition of better. In my opinion it all depends on the individual fit, not the school’s name brand. If she applied ED1, I’m assuming she visited and felt comfortable. My daughter was a strong legacy at an Ivy but visited Tufts and felt immediately comfortable and connected. That’s why she applied. Boston is a very exciting city and a fun place to go to college and Tufts enjoys a fine reputation.</p>

26

<p>@HoverDaddy‌ you should be ecstatic, not just because Tufts is a great school, but more importantly you are done with the process. At Tufts level and above, there is some amount of chance that comes in to play and you never know what may come in the Spring. She could have done better, but she could have done worse also. </p>

<p>There’s always a bit of sellers remorse (or is it buyers?) with ED, but at Tufts level and above it is a crap shoot.</p>

<p>Frankly if your daughter really loves Tufts, there are only a handful of similar schools taking into consideration size, location, culture and academics. If you are concerned about Tufts’ ranking, don’t be. She will get an excellent education, a strong alumni network, and great job/grad school options after graduation.</p>

27

<p>Decision: Accepted</p>

<p>Objective:
[<em>] SAT I (breakdown): 2040 CR 690 M 660 W 710 Essay 9
[</em>] ACT:
[<em>] SAT II: US History 660 Math I 730
[</em>] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): No idea but my weighted GPA is 4.1
[<em>] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 4/115
[</em>] AP (place score in parenthesis): USH(4) Lang+Comp(3)
[<em>] IB (place score in parenthesis):
[</em>] Senior Year Course Load: AP Spanish AP Lit AP Bio AP Stats Honors Calc Honors Bioethics
[li] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): A few subject specific awards each year at school academic awards ceremony; Williams Book Award</p>[/li]
<p>[/list][ b]Subjective:**
[<em>] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): NHS (Secretary), Dance Team, Rachel’s Challenge, Science League/College Bowl, Class VP, Varsity Soccer, Indoor Track (Captain), Outdoor Track or Lax (haven’t decided yet for my spring sport)
[</em>] Job/Work Experience: Student Employee at Tufts for one summer, Sales Associate at Hollister(don’t laugh)
[<em>] Volunteer/Community service: Worked at church food pantry over the summer, helps with special needs adults around Christmas time, weekly service projects with Rachel’s Challenge
[</em>] Summer Activities: Traveling, working
[<em>] Essays: Common App - descriptive essay about my favorite ski trail (sounds dumb but I really told my own story); Let Your Life Speak - I’m from a not so good city north of Boston so I wrote about how people think I’m less than I actually am because they judge me based on where I live; Pick a Rule/Law/Formula - Wrote about the importance of right turn on red, it’s surprisingly important
[</em>] Teacher Recommendation: AP English teacher wrote about how I think before I speak and how I write well, AP History teacher wrote about how I am extremely well rounded with academics/sports/service.
[<em>] Counselor Rec: Typical counselor rec
[</em>] Additional Rec: School headmaster wrote mine; BC grad, wrote about how I exemplify the pillars of our school and said I would do the same at Tufts
[<em>] Interview: n/a
[</em>] Supplementary Material: n/a</p>

<p>[ /list][ b]Other**
[ *] State (if domestic applicant): MA
Country (if international applicant):
[ *] School Type: Small Catholic
[ *] Ethnicity: White
[ *] Gender: Female
[ *] Income Bracket(mention if FA candidate): Did not apply for FA
[ *] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): My dad is a Professor of Nutrition at Tufts and does a ton of research for the university (aka the bomb.com for working for the best college ever), two students from my HS are doing very well at Tufts now</p>

<p>[/list]Reflection
[<em>] Strengths: Activities, Essays, Grades
[</em>] Weaknesses: Test Scores
[<em>] Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: I hate talking about myself but I think I am a very well rounded student and my essays really set me apart from everyone else.
[</em>] Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Put all my eggs in one basket haha
[li] If rejected, where are you looking now?</p>[/li]
<p>[/list]**General Comments: **</p>

<p>I’ve never been happier. I’m used to coming in second most of the time and this is one thing that I can be proud of.</p>

28

<p>Hoverdaddy: : Last year’s overall acceptance rate at Tufts was 17%. Could your daughter have “done better?” What does that mean? Are you bothered by the fact that some people haven’t heard of Tufts? Is your daughter ecstatic? Isn’t that what counts? I assume since she applied ED that she must love Tufts. I’m a Tufts mom…My daughter couldn’t be happier and she’s getting a great education. You never know what might have happened in the Rd round, but chances of gaining acceptance into an even more selective school are slim for any applicant. Tufts is a fine school and very hard to et into. My advice: Enjoy and celebrate.</p>

29

<p>I agree with Njmom666 My additional two bits is that this is about your daughter and not you. You are now legally obliged to go to tufts and withdraw your applications to other places. What is the point of now asking these questions. Just be happy it is done and your kids is going onto to the next stage…</p>

30

<p>@HoverDaddy‌, you should be very happy. I can’t speak for the rest of your daughters stats since you didn’t post them, but with a 32 ACT she’s lucky she got Into. Tufts. Ivies don’t superscore, so it would be a 32 not a 33. Unless the rest of her application Is amazing a 32 is too low to get into Tufts RD. Tufts is a school that takes interest into account big time so the fact that she applied ED really helped her. My son is a junior at Tufts and loves it. He got in RD because he got deferred from his early school. A lot of kids that get rejected or deferred in the early round from ivies apply in RD round with amazing stats so competition is very stiff. Statistically speaking mostly likely she would not have done better. So relax and enjoy. </p>

31

<p>Decision: Accepted</p>

<p>Objective:
[<em>] SAT I (breakdown): 800 CR, 740 Math, 720 Writing (12 essay)
[</em>] ACT: 33 (Didn’t send)
[<em>] SAT II: USH: 800 World:800 Math 2C: 740
[</em>] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): UW: 3.94
[<em>] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A
[</em>] AP (place score in parenthesis): USH: 4 WH:5 Bio:4 Lang:5
[<em>] IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
[</em>] Senior Year Course Load: AP Micro/Macro Econ, AP Literature, AP Physics I, AP Psychology
[li] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): AP Scholar? Don’t know if it’s that major </p>[/li]
<p>Subjective:
[<em>] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Our School’s UNICEF chapter Exec, Tri-M (Music Club) Member, Model UN Chair
[</em>] Job/Work Experience: Intern at Teach for All Korea, Intern at POSRI
[<em>] Volunteer/Community service: Mostly revolved around my school’s UNICEF club (Yearly Visit to Cambodia, Siem Reap, etc)
[</em>] Summer Activities: Internship at different social ventures, Brown Leadership Summer camp
[<em>] Essays: Common app essay about
[</em>] Teacher Recommendation: Great rec from both my History teacher (3 years, UNICEF advisor), and English Teacher (I assume)
[<em>] Counselor Rec: Average at best?
[</em>] Additional Rec: From Swimming Coach (It was really good)
[<em>] Interview: n/a
[</em>] Supplementary Material: n/a </p>

<p>Other
[<em>] State (if domestic applicant): N/A
[</em>] Country (if international applicant): Seoul, Korea
[<em>] School Type: 400ish Students, Private School
[</em>] Ethnicity: Asian
[<em>] Gender: Male
[</em>] Income Bracket(mention if FA candidate): 150,000~200,000
[li] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): None? </p>[/li]
<p>Reflection
[<em>] Strengths: Extra-curriculars, and a “story” that made sense, and I feel like I really appealed to the admissions office that I’m a certain type of person
[</em>] Weaknesses: Pretty Weak Grades for my school standard…Especially in 10th grade
[<em>] Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: I think my story really appealed to the admissions office, but tbh I’m really not sure
[</em>] Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: deferred from Babson, UMichigan
[*] If rejected, where are you looking now? IMA A JUMBO BABY!!!</p>

32

ED I Admitted

[ b]Objective:**
[ *] SAT I (breakdown): 730CR, 800Math, 710WR
[ *] ACT:Never taken ACT
[ *] SAT II: 800 Math2, 770USH, 760Physics
[ *] TOEFL: 113/120
[ *] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): School doesnt provide GPA
[ *] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Top 10%
[ *] AP (place score in parenthesis): 5 in USH&Calculus BC
[ *] IB (place score in parenthesis):
[ *] Senior Year Course Load: 7 courses
[ *] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): None

[ /list][ b]Subjective:**
[ *] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
[ *] Job/Work Experience: Law Firm intern
[ *] Volunteer/Community service: Community clean-up activity
[ *] Summer Activities: Law Firm Intern
[ *] Essays: Wrote about my role in the school paper, and some related thoughts
[ *] Teacher Recommendation: One from English teacher, one from history
[ *] Counselor Rec: I believe he wont bad-mouth me
[ *] Additional Rec: one from Law Firm Executive partner
[ *] Interview: none
[ *] Supplementary Material: none

[ /list][ b]Other**
[ *] State (if domestic applicant):
Country (if international applicant): China, PR
[ *] School Type: Chinese High (not an international school)
[ *] Ethnicity: Asian
[ *] Gender: Male
[ *] Income Bracket(mention if FA candidate):
[ *] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): I dont think I have any

[ /list][ b]Reflection**
[ *] Strengths: I play soccer. I dont know if that helps.
[ *] Weaknesses: non-US citizen. It hurts.
[ *] Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Test scores are good, and I think I am really into IR. Tufts is my first choice
[ *] Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: None
[ *] If rejected, where are you looking now? CMC, Middlebury, Brown, Vassar

[ /list][ b]General Comments: ** It could be a disadvantage if you apply as an international applicant. The AO doesnt necessary understand the evaluating/grading system in your school, you face a lot problems preparing for SAT. Also, people around you probably dont know Tufts.

33

@HoverDaddy‌

Your December post is almost two months old, but if I might chime in as a Tufts parent…

Your concern about whether your daughter could have done “better” seems to be based on a panic you seem to feel over the fact that other parents in your circle are not familiar with the Tufts “name”. Be aware that their unfamiliarity has more to do with regional factors and a possible narrow sphere of interest when it comes to colleges.

For those who matter—employers, grad schools adcoms, and those well-informed about the true academic rigor, standards and expectations of various top colleges—Tufts is a very impressive place to be. It is an “ooohhhh” school where it really counts, which is not your particular social circle.

My D’s stats were on par with your D’s. Believe me, she knew the odds were stacked against her, even applying ED. I don’t really understand your logic: Do you think your D got in no sweat by sheer dint of the fact that the school isn’t as big a name as HYPSM, etc.? Few have heard of Harvey Mudd or Franklin Olin, but no one who knows anything would tell you you’ve under-reached by applying to them.

Tufts is consistently ranked in upper 20s in USNWR, #25 in most recent Forbes, within the top 20 in Business Insider for Smartest Students, consistently near the top in Washington Monthly, Peace Corps. Volunteers, and Payscale.

Rest easy—your D has chosen very well. All the best to her!