By the way, @jamesjunkers, it seems that I see you in a lot of different threads. I think we applied to many of the same colleges, haha.
@lavalamp97, let’s see. Did you apply to all of the classic “I’m smart but not a complete genius. I did well on my tests and I’m aspiring high” colleges? 
@jamesjunkers YES. The whole “I did well but I’m not sure if I did well enough to actually get accepted to these colleges” thing.
ED2 jumbo here 
just a shout out and good luck to everyone on this thread 
Tufts campus is probably my favorite out of all the colleges I applied to (tie really between Tufts and Amherst campus). It’s hilly, which makes it very scenic with the grass, and it’s perfect for walking. There is a shuttle that comes to various points of the campus every 20 minutes or so (called the “T”) and it’s for free. It takes you to various places close by, like Davis Square and Harvard Square. Overall, the campus is well constructed and easy to get used to.
I guess I’m in the minority–I don’t think it’s a beautiful campus. It’s a serviceable campus. But there is plenty of green space (and a lot of HILLS) for being in an area as densely populated as it is and smushed between some Medford City streets. Some of the buildings are too close to each other and/or right on the sidewalk/street which makes it feel congested in some areas. I can’t imagine a movie being filmed there or anything, for that classic college scene. But it’s a vibrant campus and the people seem very cool and smart but approachable. There was nothing snooty or super preppy or show-offy about it. That part made us feel very at home.
@lavalamp97 @jamesjunkers I’m in your boat. My hope is that I have safety in numbers (I’m applying to many schools in the hopes that at least one good one takes me).
Daughter visited several schools with beautiful campuses-Dartmouth, Vassar, Wellesley- but immediately was attracted to the whole vibe at Tufts. She felt it would be intellectually stimulating and comfortable at the same time. Also, easy access to a world class city like Boston is a huge plus.
I loved Tufts campus…and the FOOD! Did anyone eat there? Maybe it’s a silly reason to like a college, but Tufts had the best food of any college I visited, with plenty of vegetarian options too.
Silly reason? Why else would you choose a college? Here should be your order of importance…
001- Food
002- Mascot
003- Size of Rooms
004- Male:Female Ratio
…
999- Academic Quality
I love the food there as well. It’s got incredible variety for a college and if you get bored there so many choices right outside campus in Boston. Davis Square itself has like 10 restaurants to choose from, and it’s a 10 minute walk from Tufts.
@reecie569 That’s funny. I had basically the same philosophy. I applied to ten schools and I consider four or five of them (including Tufts) big reach schools. Tufts is my favorite as of now, however it would be amazing to get into any of the reach schools.
You guys are making me really excited for Tufts. Agh, I really hope I get in.
hi guys i applied to tufts and id love to go but i wont get in because I’m not in the top 10% of my class (I’m in top 16%) and like 90% of of the students at tufts were in the top 10% of their high school classes and since i am not in the top 10% of my class I will not get in despite having a pretty good GPA and good ACT score and activities and stuff.
Whats up!
@Ctesiphon If you have other good credentials, it is still possible you will get in. I’m not in the top 10% either (I’m actually in the top 11%. There are just two people in my way of being in the top 10%. Very frustrating.)
Tufts is the most holistic school I know. As long as you are a driven student with successful academic achievements comparable to those who are applying, you still have a chance. Then again, Tufts is very selective so the other parts of your application need to be unique to make you stand out. My school doesn’t do rankings like that but I don’t think I’m in the top 10% either (probably top 15%, but who knows).
@GSikka That is exactly why I refrain from doing “Chance Me” posts, especially for Tufts. I know nobody could really “chance me” without seeing my entire application.
@lavalamp97 Well, I mean you can’t really trust “Chance Me” posts for any school really. The posts just help in getting a feeling of where you are compared to other students, but no one will ever really know considering there are thousands of applications sent to each separate school. I guess it just helps in bracing yourself for the impending decision, and whether you should be surprised or not with the acceptance or the rejection. Either way, I agree. Once you reach a certain academic threshold, no “Chance Me” post can be that reliable for Tufts. But hey, only another month or so to go, so might as well waste sometime!
@GSikka I agree. I try to hold back from them because I feel that they’d make me even more nervous than I already am. Also, I feel like I pretty much know which of my schools are high matches, low reaches, etc. So it doesn’t feel that necessary for me. But still, don’t be surprised if you see me make a “chance me” post sometime soon because my nerves might seriously get to me.
It’s just worth considering for anybody like me who is not in the top 10%. Tufts is, after all, a highly ranked school that strives to remain high on the US News rankings! One of the factors they take into account when ranking schools is the percent of their students in the top 10% of their high school classes. Not being in the top decile really hurts in admission to these selective schools.
I believe last year 91% of incoming Tufts freshman were in the top decile of their graduating high school classes. That leaves 9% of accepted students who were not in the top decile. Tufts also released here that their average class rank for the Class of 2018 was the top 5% (http://admissions.tufts.edu/apply/accepted-student-profile/).
1,352 students were accepted last year into Tufts University. 9% of them were not in the top decile of their high school classes, which is about 121 children. Of those, we don’t know how many are recruited athletes, hooked applicants or some extraneous scenario that would merit admitting a lower-ranked student. I suppose us non-top-decilers will have to compete for the remaining spots!
Oh darn… I wish I had made the decision in 8th grade to take honors classes my freshman year in high school so I could have a higher weighted GPA and thus a higher class rank. Doesn’t really matter that I took the most difficult course load I could junior and senior year and received nearly all A’s. You reap what you sow, I guess! No longer will I make such rash decisions; I wish I could tell my 8th grade self to take honors classes because in 4 years you will be applying to selective universities that are forced to value a high class rank due to a whimsical ranking system.
Nonetheless, good luck to all! Since I am not in the top 10% of my high school class, I will pray for a miracle because I will unfortunately not be getting into Tufts without divine intervention.