<p>lol no wustl is like tufts in that they don't want to be your backup. if you're too good, they'll waitlist you. if you're too bad, they'll deny you or waitlist you again. WUSTL is a wild card.</p>
<p>if you want to major in bio/chem it seems like you are on track to being a doctor (not that you have to be). if you apply to WUSTL's med program then they will consider you a legit applicant instead of someone using it as a safety. its the same case if you apply for their other undergrad+grad admission programs. the only other way to prove to WashU that you are not using them as a safety would be to apply ED (but you probably dont want that). </p>
<p>also, lots of people applying to the ivys use UChicago as a match level school (i know it is very selective and a reach for everyone, but its easier to get into than HYP). it has a strong science program, and i imagine that it is top notch for chem and physics (the abomb was sort of invented there).</p>
<p>"lol no wustl is like tufts in that they don't want to be your backup. if you're too good, they'll waitlist you. if you're too bad, they'll deny you or waitlist you again. WUSTL is a wild card."</p>
<ul>
<li>Ok. For the upteenth time, I'm going to explain that this is about a decade out of date, if ever existed at all (for Tufts). </li>
</ul>
<p>Class of 2010 overall admit rate: 26% (lower for RD)
CollegeBoard date for Tufts (1st-years -- 2009)
SAT I Verbal middle 50%: 660-740
SAT I Math middle 50%: 670-740</p>
<p>Placing this in perspective, JHU same data from CollegeBoard:
SAT I Verbal middle 50%: 630-740
SAT I Math middle 50%: 660-760</p>
<p>Hmmm...looks vaguely similar. </p>
<p>Tufts in the 2006 world (not the 1986 world, or whatever) is a reach for nearly everyone...The only reasons it has suffered is that it has found itself chronically in the shadow of Harvard and MIT, and b/c it pursued the very rare and risky maneuver of changing from an LAC to a University in the 1970's... so people are only just waking up to how much on par it is with JHU, GTU, NU, etc. etc.</p>
<p>So, in short, irrespective of any other school being discussed in this thread, Tufts is a reach for nearly anyone. Anyone who is applying to JHU, GTU, etc. will be up against the same type of pool at Tufts. </p>
<p>Why is this so difficult to understand? I don't see arguments over Georgetown, or Northwestern, but CC'ers constantly question Tufts.</p>
<p>Hm...I want to eventually do scientific research in industry probably dealing with medicine, but probably not a doctor (not sure ?_?)</p>
<p>Hmm...so should I apply to UMass Amherst then as a safety? Or is Case Western safety enough?</p>
<p>Worldband - not really sure why you quoted me. I basically said exactly what you've said...unless you were using it for support. Tufts and WUSTL are never a safety for even the best applicants.</p>
<p>I agree that UMass is not the place for you, but it's cheap, so apply as a financial safety, last resort school. It's worth the small amount of effort to do that. I also agree that U Rochester is not a safety school in general, but do think that the OP is almost certain of admission. Last season, someone was admitted with low statistics- most posters here thought that he would have to go elsewhere, do well, and transfer in later. It might be worth looking at some good liberal arts colleges that do well in med school admissions and are known for good financial aid- Bates comes to mind.</p>
<p>I have to chuckle at some of the "opinions" in this thread. And, excuse me, safety is a much overused and misunderstood word in the realm of college admissions.</p>
<p>Now that that stone is off my chest (speaking of New England, LOL), to the original poster, I would second Worcester Polytechnic Institute and its updated labs. WPI is science and more science all the time.</p>
<p>And if the U Mass System appeals to you (and its RELATIVE low cost), and you are curious about the life sciences/ecology and evolutionary biology, then investigate UMass-Dartmouth. Another public option for Massachusetts residents is the University of New Hampshire, which is probably a better administrated university than the UMass System. UNH's life sciences programs have a reputation for quality and rigor. A bonus is that UNH is less than a 2 hours drive from Boston, MA.</p>
<p>Can I just say that I am sick of people say ohhhh thats not a safety when anyone lists any school as a safety. The kid is obviously looking for a school that he could PROBABLY get into, but that he would still be happy at. Thats what safety really means, not a school that he could 100% definitely get into but that has nothing to do with what he likes. When I applied for school, I applied to Colorado College as my safety ... probably not a safety, really, because there was a chance I wouldn't get in, but still a school that I would most likely get in but also that I would still be happy at. He has UMass, thats enough of a safety, now hes looking at schools that are still highly ranked but that he would have a better chance of getting int.</p>
<p>Thanks oregonian21~~~ That's exactly what I wanted~ I appreciate it for understanding what I was looking for. So I'm thinking to add U of Rochester on the list and maybe Case Western (depending on how my parents view it)</p>
<p>Oregonian, "a school that he could PROBABLY get into..."</p>
<p>I would see that as a match school, perticularly since you stress the word "PROBABLY"</p>
<p>There should be no probably when it comes to your safety. Of course, there is no 100% definite school, but your safety is **your safety net", you would not want a safety net that you could probably fall back on, you want to be as assured as possible.</p>
<p>And if you are like so many New England private schoolers that apply to all elite schools and then UMass or New Hampshire, I can give you a good guess where so many of them end up. And really to go from Berkshire, Hotchkiss, or Exeter to UMass simply out careless selection is stupidity to say the least.</p>
<p>Your list right now reads:
Harvard (EA)
MIT
UPenn
Columbia
Duke
Stanford
Princeton
U of Rochester
UMichigan (Out of State)
Case Western</p>
<p>Somebody, anybody... please take a look at this list and tell if you think it is bad news waiting to happen? If you are rejected by one or two Ivies, I wouldn't be shocked to be rejected by the others and face the same harsh reality that many brilliant students now face as they enroll at UMass next fall.</p>
<p>You have plenty of Reaches and Matches (Probably's) on that list. Great as an applicant your are, I really think you want atleast one more option to fall back on besides UMassAmherst shall the worst happen.</p>
<p>(Besides, you already stated that you do not want to attend UMass, so why leave yourself with the chances of that being your only option?)</p>
<p>Why not toss in some unis and LACs that are strong in science and merit aid? The daughter of a CC poster, curmudgeon, is headed to Rhodes with an excellent merit aid. Case was on her list too. He has a few current threads in the parents forum on good merit aid schools. Maybe look into places like Vanderbilt, Rice, Washington & Lee? UNC is also a great state school with low COA and also decent aid for OOS kids...</p>
<p>I think the OP is better off with 4-5 really strong matches (of 5 at least 2 should come through) that give merit aid and stick with U Mich & U Mass as your rolling admissions safeties. Apply to U Mich ASAP in the fall.</p>
<p>Ok, I will do so, I guess if early comes back not good and UMich said no, I'll put UMass Amherst, Case Western, RPI, WPI on the list?</p>
<p>Does that sound good?</p>
<p>How late do admissions care (as long as you make the deadline) or do you have to send stuff before the deadline (like a month before)</p>
<p>Michigan cares. Michigan has rolling admissions. Those who apply earlier have better chances. So apply to Michigan in September.</p>
<p>Alexandre - is that also true for transfer students. I was looking at past transfer threads and it seemed like most ppl got their decisions in April regardless of when they sent in their application. Also, I hear you're quite the expert on UMich. For transfer students, does Michigan still have the OOS buffer put up that state schools have against students applying for freshman status? In other words, is it just as hard for a transfer student in Texas to get into UMich as it is for a Texas senior? Thanks.</p>
<p>Transfer students are handled differently. You can apply later and not suffer from it. And yes, Michigan residents (particularly those enrolled in CC) have an advantage, but Michigan does not make it much harder for OOS to get in. Remember, over a third of Michigan undergrads come from out of state.</p>
<p>thanks that is helpful...I am a Texas resident and I know how hard it is for OOS students to get into UT, and I don't want to be in that position. So nothing like that then?</p>
<p>if you have no desire to go to umass, dont apply there. pick a safety school you would be content with.</p>
<p>I've read that many schools are lenient about the deadlines on letters of recommendation and things like that (not totally under your control). They often don't even log your application in until two weeks after it arrives, if they are in rush mode, so it doesn't really matter. However, it's better to be on time, especially with the items that you send in yourself.</p>
<p>Ok. Thank you so much!!! I'll go write up my list of Colleges and work on that good ol' essay :)</p>
<p>Thanks everyone!!!</p>