<p>ECs:
Academic League - co-captain
Science Olympiad - secretary (11), pres (12)
Mu Alpha Theta- i'm really involved. I give people their tutors and keep track of the tutoring service we offer.
Volunteer at local medical center 120+ hours
Math League - no officer positions (not offered)....just go and take tests.
Orchestra - I've been in various orchestras for all 4 yrs in HS (well....3 thus far, will be 4 once senior yr is done)</p>
<p>Summers:
Researched/Observed in labs in both UPenn (9, 10) and state school (11)</p>
<p>Jobs:
worked in lab over the summer
Kumon- 4 months</p>
<p>Awards:
1st Rgnl for Cell Bio science Olympiad (11)
Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award (11)
Honor Roll....?</p>
<p>My grades after freshman year slipped because i moved to a new school. I think my counselor said she will mention this in her rec.</p>
<p>I suspect your ACT is in the same range as your SAT, so it probably won’t make much of a difference. As you probably know, a 30 is on the low side for Tufts.
By in the “mix,” I meant that your app will be given a serious review; i.e., you’re not so low that you are an automatic “no” by any means. Your subject test scores are solid; you’ve taken a challenging curriculum; and you’ve shown involvement in your school community. It means that you’ve got a shot. Do I think your odds of admission are above the acceptance rate of 25/26%? No; I think they’re lower than that, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get in.</p>
<p>You took a lot of very strong AP courses, which is good. Your SAT critical reading is a bit on the low side, but other than that your test scores are pretty good. I’d say if you have a very organized and compelling essay/recs you should be an ED2 admit. Definitely a reach, but i’d say go for it if you love Tufts.</p>
<p>What is it that you like about Tufts? I can recommend some other schools that are similar to Tufts in terms of campus life but a bit easier to get into (Bates, Colby, Trinity). You should consider them for RD.</p>
<p>Are you absolutely, positively sure that Tufts is your first choice, and that you’re ready to commit to it if you get in? If so, then go for ED2; it cannot possibly hurt you. But if you have any hesitation, then go RD and see what happens in April.</p>
<p>if you can commit to Tufts and it is your first choice, i would say go for ED2. ED2 is competitive, but if they really like your application they’d be more likely to admit you because they know you will definitely be enrolling.</p>
<p>anitsirhc90-
I read the whole sentence. I thought it was inconsistent. I assume anyone with a decent shot at getting into Tufts will have written a compelling essay; it’s necessary, but not sufficient. If it’s a reach (as it is for this candidate), it’s a reach, compelling essay notwithstanding.</p>
<p>^^Interviews are of extremely limited help. They are virtually never game changers, barring only that very rare occurrence where an applicant either comes across as deeply troubled (i.e., not someone you’d want at your school) or as so extraordinary that the interviewer has rarely (if ever) met anyone like him/her AND is able to communicate that effectively in an evaluation.<br>
Yes, it’s a reach even if you write a compelling essay; it’s out of reach if you don’t.
As I said before, that DOES NOT mean that you can’t get in; it only means that I wouldn’t bet my money on it (i.e, you need a Plan B). If you really like Tufts, you should apply; and if it is your first choice, you should consider applying ED2.</p>
<p>wcasparent : you need to stop nitpicking on this board. sometimes when people express thoughts through writing on the internet they do it quickly and don’t take into account how every reader will interpret it. my message was one directed to the OP, not to you, as an attempt to offer advice and encouragement. as a sophomore at tufts, i believe this is what an anxious college applicant comes here for.</p>
<p>besides, according to your logic my sentence would be correct because it would imply that with a compelling application, the applicant would be admitted because their scores and other hard factors would not disqualify them.</p>
<p>The bottom line is that no one on these boards has a crystal ball and is not in a position to assess the chances of an applicant. We have all heard the stories of students with low scores getting in and those with high scores/strong academics being rejected. A lot of it comes down to the essays and/or whether the applicant has something unique about them or is distinguishable from the others in the applicant pool. Syc652, if you want to apply to Tufts, go for it. Go with your gut. It speaks louder than anything you will read on these boards.</p>
<p>^^ “Chances” can be assessed. Some people have stronger shots - and better odds - than others. Predicting actual outcomes do, however, require crystal balls that no one on this board possesses. That’s because some people who have GPAs and test scores which suggest the odds are against them might still get in if they knock the AdCom’s socks off with some other element of their application, and some people who have extraordinary GPAs and test scores might be rejected for a variety of reasons.</p>
<p>syc652 - Your numbers are good enough that your application will get looked at. At that point, it’s going to come down to your essays, recommendations, and what you can show on the optional creative application questions. If you shine at these, you’ll get in over people with much higher scores who don’t show as much creativity, enthusiasm, or intellectual curiosity (not to mention ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP and GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT!)</p>