Torn between two brilliant schools for ED...Help?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hey guys,
As the november 1st deadline nears for Early decision applications I find myself torn between two brilliant schools: Tufts (MA) and Pomona (CA). I'm looking to go into International Relations with probable minors in Econ and Philosophy (although I'm not sure yet, want to keep an open mind going into college). I love the relatively intimate environment at both schools and the amount of attention/resources they pay to their students. They're also both academically excellent so I don't know what to do. I hope some of you can look at my stats and the admittedly one-dimensional description of me and give me advice as to where you believe I should apply ED I for. I also listed the other schools I'm applying to as extra information. Thanks, and I will chance whoever needs it!</p>

<p>ED:
Tufts
Pomona</p>

<p>EA:
Ohio St.
Miami (OH)</p>

<p>RD:
USC
Georgetown
George Washington
Reed
Carleton
Wesleyan
Colgate
Middlebury
Vassar
NYU
Claremont-Mckenna</p>

<p>Objective:
SAT I (breakdown):2140 (780 CR, 700 W, 660 M)
ACT: 31 (32 Superscore)
SAT II: planning on taking US, World History, and French
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.67
Rank (percentage): top 10-14%
AP (place score in parenthesis):Euro (5), US (5), Gov (4), Lit (4)
Senior Year Course Load: AP Lang, AP Calc, ceramic arts, AP French, AP Bio, AP Macro, AP Psych
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): 10 + accolades from debating, National Forensics League Degree of Special Distinction, 10th place at HOSA nationals in Biomedical Debate
Intended Major: International Relations with minors in econ/philosophy/finance</p>

<p>Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis +years): 4 years of Debate (Vice President of School Speech and Debate Team -- 160+ members), French Club Officer
Job/Work Experience: worked for 2 years (and running) at Kumon, worked briefly at American Eagle, and a research position with a university professor
Volunteer/Community service: 40+ hours at hospital, worked with local organization to start initiatives welcoming immigrants and diversity locally
Summer Activities: aforementioned research position, working at Kumon
Essays: I believe I am a good writer
Teacher Recommendation: great recommendations
Counselor Rec: probably fairly generic
Additional Rec: a good rec from the professor I did research with, Colgate alum will write a letter for Colgate</p>

<p>Other
State (if domestic applicant): Ohio
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Caucasian (Middle Eastern)
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: <50,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): tri-lingual (speak French, Farsi, and English) and English is my third language, yet I've exceeded in English courses and have challenged myself with ap courses in the subject</p>

<p>Reflection: (Personal difficulties, advantages, etc): lot of struggles with depression/suicide but I was able to pull myself out and work on my problems to the point where I haven't suffered from depression in 4 years, wrote a brutally honest essay about it for the common app. Tried to communicate how it ruined my childhood, especially with the absence of my father, but how I drew myself out of the situation- tried to communicate self-awareness.</p>

<p>Other: Have presented a lecture in front of 60+ students and faculty at my school every semester since my freshman year about Iran (geopolitics, culture, history, relations, art, etc). Highly acclaimed by both faculty and students alike, great relationship with sponsoring teacher (who will write a great rec letter).</p>

2

<p>Not good chance with Pomona with that GPA.</p>

3

<p>I think that if you apply ED to Tufts, you might have a shot. I do not think you have a strong chance at Pomona, especially because the ED pool for Pomona tends to be the “cream of the crop.”</p>

4

<p>You’ve got strong ECs, but I don’t think GPA or test scores will help you out at Pomona. If you apply ED to Pomona, prepare to be disappointed, just like many other outstanding applicants. Tufts is also a great option, and I think you have a much better shot of getting in.</p>

5

<p>Seems like you do not have a clear first choice. Do you really want to apply ED anywhere?</p>

<p>In addition, have you run the net price calculators on each school to make sure that they are likely to be affordable to you?</p>

6

<p>I think you should apply to Tufts if you’re really torn between the two. Pomona is not going to be significantly less selective in the ED round, and your GPA is a bit low for admission there. On the other hand, I know a couple people with mid-range GPAs who have been admitted to Tufts ED (and likely wouldn’t have gotten in otherwise). </p>

<p>Best of luck! </p>

7

<p>Why are you considering applying ED when with a $50K income you need to compare FA offers? Also, being trilingual may be interesting but not a hook.</p>

8

<p>I gotta say, I’m very impressed with the distinct profile and experiences you offer. I’ve done alumni admissions interviews for my Ivy alma mater and I think your scores aren’t so shabby, especially for english as a 3rd language. The extras you bring should really get their attention.
The one consideration I would underscore, since you know you’d be happy at either (you would, from what I know of both), is doing ED with the school that is farther away. Geographic diversity is important to admissions. If you’re lucky enough to be halfway between the two, your chances are even better of getting in to the one you choose. If you’re still torn, I’d think about whichever of these is more important to you: presence/absence of fraternities, getting to know a good-sized city.</p>

9

<p>You have a better shot at Tufts. But if finances are an issue, you could end up paying more than you have to for college as you will not have a chance to compare FA offers. And if you need good aid, drop NYU from your list. Have you run net price calculators for all of these schools? (On the school website, financial aid page). That would be a good idea if you haven’t.</p>