<p>Hi, I am considering applying to GW regular decision. I heard on another forum here at CC that GW has been known to practice "Tufts Syndrome", that is, rejecting over-qualified applicants who they don't think will attend the school.</p>
<p>I have a 4.5 GPA, a 2170 SAT (800 CR, 670 M, 700 W) and I just retook the SAT in December and I think I did a lot better. I sent the old and new scores to GW. I have a 770 Literature SAT II and a 740 US History, a strong high school transcript and decent ECs. </p>
<p>GW is a safety/match for me (I'm also applying to Georgetown EA, Brown, American, and Florida State), but I am really interested in the school. I plan to apply to the School of Media and Public Affairs for Political Communication and if I do go I plan to do the dual degree program in Political Communication and Political Management. It is perfect for my career and GW is my second or third choice. I'm hoping to visit in January.</p>
<p>Do you think I will be a victim of yield protection at GW, or do I have a good chance?</p>
<p>Our DD got in with stats not as strong as they could have/should have been but having written an excellent essay that made it clear why GWU was a fit for her and she for GWU. I think you do need to make it clear why you want GWU.</p>
<p>I’m also pretty scared of this being a problem, especially because of the question that asks which other schools you’re applying to. What are you planning on doing about that? I also did Georgetown EA and am applying to some Ivies. I really don’t want to list them on my app. I have a 2320 SAT and a 4.8 GPA. The only thing I’m hoping that will save me is that I listed GW as my first choice school for National Merit, and I have genuinely strong interest that I’ll do my best to show through my essays.</p>
<p>My best advice is to make sure they KNOW that GW is your number one choice (if it really is). You can do that by setting up an interview, attending the meeting if they come visit your school, local college fairs, a campus tour, and emailing them asking them intelligent questions (not questions you can easily find yourself online), etc.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice, everyone! I’m hoping that I’ll be able to demonstrate interest through the January visit and my essays, along with the fact that I’m applying to such a specialized program (Political Communication at SMPA). Since that matches up perfectly with my career goals and interests, I think they’ll recognize that I really am interested in this school as more than just a safety. I was just reading the list of SMPA courses and practically salivating, they’re so perfect for me. And I’m only putting AU and FSU on the app.</p>
<p>Match, not safety. If it were a safety, you’d be sure of getting in, right? Take a look at last year’s thread around the last week of March. Lots of surprised people, (both good and bad surprises).</p>
<p>I highly recommend applying to the Honors Program as that also further demonstrates your interest in the university. Also, you seem intelligent via your stats, so the Honors Program would be perfect for you! Also, frankly, my non-honors classes are not nearly as intellectually stimulating as my honors classes and I would be so bored without them, and seeing how bright you are, I think you would be bored without the honors program as well. Just my 2 cents! Good luck in the admissions process!</p>
<p>GW does not suffer “Tufts Syndrome,” but they look strongly at your interest in the school if your stats seem to put you in a category that may go elsewhere. If you want to attend, be sure to convey this throughout your application. If you just say “I want to go to school in DC” the whole time, they’ll let you try your chances at Georgetown or American. Trust me, GW wants students with stats like yours, but not at the expense of gambling and losing students interested in the school.</p>
<p>I don’t think Tufts Syndrome really exists at GW. I got in last year RD with higher stats than yours and no interview. If Tufts Syndrome existed here, they should have rejected me. Good thing they didn’t, because I’m now a Colonial and loving it. Don’t worry, you’ll be fine.</p>