<p>"<a href=“http://www.peacecorps.gov/multimedia...chools2009.pdf”>http://www.peacecorps.gov/multimedia...chools2009.pdf</a></p>
<p>Tufts is not on the list. "</p>
<p>And Boston College is. Perhaps the focus is not so much on football and beer there, as another poster suggested.</p>
<p>I second (third?) the suggestion that the OP look at George Washington.</p>
<p>^ agree with wuggroe on GW – which seems to have lots to recommend it in line with the OP’s daughter’s interests.</p>
<p>I have several concerns about GW and whether it is a good fit. My friend’s son has received very poor advising at GW and given the steep price of the school the classes have been very large and the teachers inconsistent. I think that GW would fit my daughter in several areas such as location, global focus, but somehow I feel that she might get a better (for her) more intellectual experience at a school that offers rigorous classes that are smaller. Based upon her stats, GW will be a safety and we will definitely explore it further. I am concerned that the price of GW is not worth the value of the experience.</p>
<p>^ I believe that has been GW’s historic reputation, as well as Amercan’s. You will get poor advising, a greater number of large classes and high variability in the quality of instruction more often at large schools than at smaller schools. BU, NYU, Syracuse, USC, with GWU and American University, are often cited here on CC as very expensive, especially when considered in the context of their overall quality. They appear to be more popular than good.</p>
<p>agree on the USC front. Im sure its good for many areas (business, etc), but its one of the least intellectual school s I know, based on kids I know who hav egone there. Its hard to get into because its in LA, not because its competitive.</p>
<p>We’re in the same boat as the OP- with a younger sibling who would love to attend Tufts, but knows his chances are less than 50/50. We are also looking for “similar” schools that might be a bit less competitive at admissions time–</p>
<p>At many schools, when you think of service, you automatically think of the Peace Corps or US Aid - but what sets Tufts apart is the range of opportunities for service. You are not limited to the big programs. S1 discovered this firsthand while researching summer internships this spring. He has friends and classmates working in the US, Middle East, Asia and Africa – the help to do so is there if you want it.</p>
<p>Location, academics can be replicated more easily than student body and overall vibe. We looked at tons of schools the first time around with S1 - Ivies, LACs, big, small, etc, but Tufts was the one school that had the best mix of what he wanted - friendly students, great academics and a focus on making a difference. People think the ‘save the world’ label is a cliche (I probably did too, at first). Have probably said this before, but in Tufts’ case it actually seems to fit, and this is not just limited to students in the Tisch School-</p>
<p>Not sure I’d put Richmond in the mix. It’s somewhat preppy and fraternity-oriented-- something that many kids who like Tufts might not be interested in. S2 liked GW, but was bummed out by the lack of a campus. Also thought it had more of a ‘cosmopolitan’ vibe than he was looking for. Liked the mix of students at American, and the internship program is a big plus. Macalester sounds appealing, just wish it wasn’t so far. Also agree that Wm & Mary is very tough out of state.</p>
<p>
There are more ways to engage in global service than joining the Peace Corps. I don’t think it’s valid to try to rank schools’ dedication to internationalist values based on a single factor.</p>
<p>^ Of course not, it is simply a proxy and I said that the OP should look closely at how schoola match their rhetoric with reality. There are a number of schools that have delivered over long periods of time on issues of service – Oberlin, Grinnell, Swarthmore, Macalester, Beloit and Earlham come to my mind. Tufts doesn’t. What’s the evidence?</p>
<p>This is getting a bit off topic, since some of us are looking for less competitive alternatives, but for those interested in service related offerings at Tufts, this is just a starting point, but it was easy to find, and there are links to the left:</p>
<p>[Leadership</a> and Public Service-International Education and Research- Tufts University](<a href=“http://global.tufts.edu/1187273218670/IER-Page-IER_Highlight_1190121771146.html]Leadership”>http://global.tufts.edu/1187273218670/IER-Page-IER_Highlight_1190121771146.html)</p>
<p>I agree with Snarf’s comment, though - Tufts supports it’s students who want to serve in the ways that suit them best – in many cases, in more obscure positions and situations that might never appear on appear on anyone’s list. From what I’ve seen the students aren’t looking to impress, they’re looking to make a difference. Lists and rankings might be a good way to start, but one needs to do a decent amount of research before knowing what school will fit them best.</p>
<p>I think the required curriculum, esp. the language requirement for IR, scares a lot of people off, but it also attracts students who are truly serious about what they want (which sounds like the OP’s daughter).</p>
<p>First, what factors are you praising those specific colleges on?
Second, what’s your problem with Tufts?
Third, I don’t have graduates’ employment statistics at my fingertips, but there are a number of easily-found [url=<a href=“Homepage | Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life”>Homepage | Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life]programs[/url</a>] to which Tufts dedicates significant resources in order to promote active global citizenship not for graduated students, but for enrolled students.</p>
<p>I don’t know if Tufts has delivered “over long periods of time” on issues of service, but it certainly has in recent years. I can’t think of many schools who share it’s focus to such a degree, enhanced even more recently by the addition of the Tisch program – here’s a link for people wanting more info-</p>
<p>[Frequently</a> Asked Questions - Jonathan M. Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service - Tufts University](<a href=“Homepage | Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life”>Homepage | Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life)</p>
<p>I am hoping that this thread can stay focused on similar schools to Tufts that share similar culture and values, but are somewhat less competitive to obtain admissions to. We are seeking a competitive school, though one not quite as competitive as Tufts. Thanks!</p>
<p>Have you considered Carleton, Grinnell, or Wellesley? Obviously very competitive schools, but D sounds like a solid student.</p>
<p>You might also try searching within State U. websites for specific programs -</p>
<p>peacefulmom -
At the end of the day, everybody only attends one college. Kids who went to Tufts aren’t really going to be able to tell you with any authority which schools are comparable or similar, as we didn’t go to those schools. The best we can do is to tell you the other schools that we, as high school students, also liked. As I’ve said, I’m rather partial to American, but it’s really just personal preference. There is no school that bills itself as “Tufts-lite”, and every student (especially one as self-confident as your daughter sounds) will get a different impression of a school. The best thing to do is really to just keep going on as many visits as possible, and talking to students at the schools she might want to apply to. Grateful as I am that your daughter is interested in Tufts (I’m a pretty enthusiastic Tufts booster), I don’t think that the Tufts sub-forum is where you want to be. We’ll be able to provide information on Tufts, but for information on other colleges, you should contact the students at those institutions.</p>
<p>Snarf-- you make some good points and thus far I think that this thread has provided me with useful information, however it is beginning to get off topic and probably doesn’t need to keep going. the thread has made me realize more than ever that i will seek out schools with smaller class sizes and diversity – even if this is sometimes difficult to achieve. who knows, in the end, my daughter may have enough of the “right-stuff” for Tufts!</p>
<p>thanks to everyone that has posted.</p>
<p>Best of luck with the search!
Please return if you have any questions about Tufts.</p>
<p>If she really wants to go to Tufts, make sure she early decisions. Tufts values interest in the school, so that would help immensely.</p>
<p>^^ with good stats + ec’s like you says she has, i think ED will make her a shoe-in</p>
<p>public unis similar to Tufts? I would suggest TCNJ (the college of new jersey)</p>
<p>University of Rochester</p>