<p>I also wanted to respond to the claim that people turn down Tufts for larger schools. I don't know where that came from, and it could be true, but I had the opposite experience. I was choosing between GWU and Tufts and leaning towards George Washington until I visited the school again and realized how <em>big</em> it was. I felt like I would get lost in the school, so that's when I decided Tufts would be a much better fit for me.</p>
<p>Goodness! I have to learn to communicate.</p>
<p>I NEVER said that all students who go to Tufts would prefer larger schools, just that those people who do choose to go elsewhere tend to go larger rather than smaller. Just a factoid given to alumni interviewers by the admissions office that I thought was of minor interest.</p>
<p>The broader issue--some people on this site think that Tufts has a low yield. In fact, I disagree. Tufts has no problem filling its classes and turns down a heck of a lot of students who would do very well there.</p>
<p>I'm a prospective parent, helping my senior get beyond the flashy marketing and into the heart & soul of his several top choices. Does anyone on this forum have insight into the physics dept? And overall: What about class sizes? Interaction between students & faculty (accessibility, socializing, mentoring)? Sense of community? Ease of registration & access to courses for non-majors & underclassmen/women? Is this a good place for a quirky, seriously left-leaning intellectual? Would love to get the true flavor of this much stereotyped school.</p>
<p>"Is this a good place for a quirky, seriously left-leaning intellectual?"</p>
<p>I can't comment on physics, but as for your quote, I'd say yes!</p>
<p>S. is a freshman, focusing on IR and Arabic. He is generally VERY happy all around. The only class he couldn't get into was a wildly popular math class, but other than that, he had good luck both last and this semester getting the courses he wanted. Very responsive professors. After turning in one of his first papers, he got an email from the professor not only offering positive feedback, but posing some further, more complex questions to ponder. I thought that was pretty neat. Chose one of his favorite profs as his advisor.</p>
<p>He is happy with the social life (maybe a little too happy...), works hard, but still has time to focus on his sport(s). Has also been to some amazing lectures, which as a parent makes me very happy-- both that they're offered, and that the students partake. Politically, he's pretty moderate. It's definitely a left-leaning school, but he found it less extreme ("less fruity and ultra-liberal") than it's sometimes portrayed.</p>
<p>As he completes his app, I read more and more and become more and more excited about the school, so I appreciate your comments. The physics dept seems to offer both incredible depth and breadth, and at the same time be very committed to keeping classes small and opportunities for faculty mentoring strong. The best of both worlds. I've been hearing the Ivy wannabe stereotype since my own undergrad days 30 yrs ago, and it seems a real shame.
Thanks again for your observations.</p>
<p>Should this thread be placed at the head of the Tufts section of CC? It appears to address issues and concerns of prospective Tufts students and parents.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Nah, it should be deleted, because it does nothing to help people answer the question "Why Tufts". Since when is Tufts not "prestigious"? Sure, it does not have the name recognition of most of the Ivies, but if you go abroad and ask about Penn you may be surprised to know how few people think it is a "prestigiious" school</p>
<p>Although I know that it is just anecdotal, those posts about "hating tufts" were jarring for an excited prospective student. I feel as if there is something glaring that I am missing? Do elaborate. </p>
<p>And the thing about who actually decides to go to Tufts, like only 1/3 do... why does that matter? At least those 1/3 really want to be there.</p>
<p>Unless you're talking about HYPS, etc, I bet there are plenty of schools were "only" 1/3 of the kids choose to go.
I've said it here before, but S. says for most of his friends (as for him), Tufts was their first choice, and many applied early. Have yet to hear of one single friend or acquaintance of his who doesn't want to be there, or who wants to transfer, though am sure they exist. He actually asked if he could return to campus earlier than planned after the Christmas break. As parents, it's very comforting to know that your child chose wisely, and is happy where they are.</p>
<p>back at the beginning of this thread people were talking about how Tufts has lower test scores than other school...i think that this is simply because Tufts has the RIGHT idea about admissions and how test scores are not everything. i really like how they allow students to shine in their essays and don't place a large emphasis on testing. i don't think it will be long before the other "prestigious" universities start to do the same. it isn't about one day of your life in your junior year. it should be totally about everything you have done in high school
honestly i think that Tufts does carry weight however not so much to someone who isn't informed about good schools. any joe schmoe knows the name harvard or princeton.
there are plenty of other schools that are smaller in size and arent as widely known however are just as good and maybe even better. teacher actually teach classes. and class sizes are small. so i think it is a more valuable education
as for the relatively small yield....i think that is because Tufts attracts kids who are applying to so called "prestigious" universities and want a very good school that isnt as fickle in their admissions decisions. the students who do decide to attend tufts are probably the ones who had tufts as their first or second choice and are passionate about the school and WANT to be there</p>
<p>I applied EDI to Tufts. My deferral/rejection college app list was Brown, Northwestern, UC San Diego, and Clark. Make the choice of what school is right for you/your child, not just which name is recognized by your dental hygienist when she asks where your kid is going to school.</p>
<p>May have helpful info for those making decisions between Tufts and other like schools.</p>
<p>"not just which name is recognized by your dental hygienist when she asks where your kid is going to school."</p>
<p>LOLOLOL! That happened exactly to me today!!!! And when I said Tufts, my hygienist (is that correct spelling?) was so thrilled! She's known my kids for a long time, and went on and on about how great they are. I, of course, concurred.</p>
<p>Too funny.</p>
<p>Its hard to stand out in that region in general when your located two cities away from Harvard and MIT.</p>
<p>^I think Tufts is an excellent institution in its own right and is simply "different" from Harvard and MIT, and for a different kind of student and a different type of school from those two...</p>
<p>
[quote]
Do Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, or Morgan Stanley even recruit there? No.
[/quote]
well, they probably don't recruit as much because Tufts doesn't have a business program and people interested in business would probably apply somewhere else, duh... But the JP Morgan CEO went to Tufts, so it obviously wasn't a factor for him, lol....</p>
<p>Why is this even up for debate?</p>
<p>Tufts is an elite, highly selective, "prestigious" institution. </p>
<p>As I stated in another thread, it doesn't matter if the guy walking down the street has even a remote idea what Tufts is. The people who <em>need</em> to know, do. </p>
<p>All of Tufts' numbers are in line with its' peer institutions. As for reputation, you'll realize what a wonderful, career-aiding environment you've walked into once you arrive. </p>
<p>Big banks don't recruit here as much as peer universities because we're not a business school. But, we have a diplomat-in-residence (only one in New England), and Peacecorp, all of the major NGOs, top law schools, top international consulting groups, etc. DO recruit here. I wonder why.... ;)</p>
<p>Trust us - Tufts is not seen as an inferior institution in the eyes of Harvard. We're viewed as a MUCH smaller university, with very intelligent students (frequently part of the overflow from Harvard), and possessing a true a liberal arts college environment, which is markedly different from Harvard's environment (i.e. massive research university). </p>
<p>Also, we're much younger than they are. </p>
<p>One other thing on prestige. If you ask most people whether of two prestigious schools, they've heard of Wellesley or Tufts. Most will say Wellesley. </p>
<p>But Tufts is still more selective and larger.</p>
<p>tufts is not elite, though it is a very good school
obviously if this thread is in the tufts discussion board there are going to be biased responses produced...though tufts is somewhat prestigious, many of the cross admits between tufts and other peer institutions choose not to go to tufts partly because it is not as reputatable...whether tuft's lack of elite prestige is justified or not is up for debate, but i don't think tufts is as reputable as most of its so-called "peer institutions"</p>
<p>by the way, I have nothing against tufts, this is just my honest opinion</p>
<p>^well, I'm clearly crazy cuz I chose Tufts over Johns Hopkins and Georgetown, woohoo</p>
<p>
many of the cross admits between tufts and other peer institutions choose not to go to tufts partly because it is not as reputatable...
I did consider that, but I liked tufts best out of the schools I got admitted to and it felt right for me, but that is clearly an overrated factor in admissions</p>
<p>Well, Tonypizza, you are perfectly entitled to your opinion. But, two points:</p>
<p>1) I don't know what your definition of "elite" or "prestigious" is.</p>
<p>2) I suppose that everything I hear around me in Boston, at Tufts, at Harvard, etc. etc. is incorrect, then. Okay. </p>
<p>I'll just go back to working on research with renowned professors and chat about studies with a fellow student from my HS (a year below me) who was valedictorian. Which, is much more normal than you'd apparently think. </p>
<p>I can't believe people even have this debate! Of course Tufts is highly selective. Of course it's 'prestigious.' Why is this an issue? Out in the real world no one discusses this - it's an accepted fact!</p>
<p>Then, we go back to work on our studies and life!</p>
<p>whatever, I agree with tonyspizza, that people on the Tufts board will crow about its prestige. But I actually think it's a positive aspect of the school that people like Milkmagn do take relative prestige into account, arrive at the conclusion that Tufts is not the most prestigious of its choice, and come here anyway because prestige isn't as important to them as other factors. I like a student body that isn't obsessed with itself :)</p>