Tufts University vs Claremont McKenna College

I am interested in studying International relations/ public policy with concentrations/ minors in Spanish and maybe graphic design. I am a straight white moderately liberal blonde girl who notices and enjoys diversity as I see it as a way to broaden my perspective. I don’t qualify for financial aid at either school, and money isn’t a concern. My goal for undergrad is to get into a good law school (I am very interested in education policy). I am also being recruited for a sport.

Tufts University pros:

-Prestigious, AND the kids are incredibly nice and inclusive.
-I really like the athletic program (the coaches, the team culture etc)

  • Freshman are on unlimited meal plan so no running out of food and the food is really good
    -Only a 2 hr flight from where I live
  • great location (Boston!!!)
    -campus is located in quiet suburb but you can choose to venture into Boston whenever
    -love the school culture of learning, and wanted to branch out and take classes which broaden perspectives

And cons:

  • I noticed the drinking culture is quite prominent (even on sports teams) but you can also choose not to participate (and feel left out ?)
  • the facility is lacking. They are supposedly building a new facility which will be ready my senior year of college. -kids complained about a lot of homework -have to pay sticker price

Claremont McKenna College Pros:

-quite literally the most beautiful campus I have ever seen (the entire consortium is stunning)
-the academics are really strong, I just don’t know if they are as strong as tufts.

  • 45 minutes from LA, so the city is there if you need it
    -Athletic facilities are state of the art
    -kids are pretty trendy, mostly friendly
    -food is ridiculously good
    -dorms are like palaces
    -team is incredibly nice
    -merit scholarship available

Cons:

-weed is legal in California, and the constant stench on campus is clearly noticeable. Is this a pervasive cultural influence on campus ? I am not very interested in partying at all in college
-parties thurs/sat night
-far away from a city, do people get bored ?
-at least a 6 hour flight from where I live
-not really sure if the internships /opportunities would be similar or better than Tufts.

I think this is everything I can think of. Please help!

With respect to your law school aspirations, you can search “Top Lawyer Producer Schools – Infographic,” in which CMC appears among the 20 schools listed. If after long deliberation you feel truly uncertain, then a source such as this may be worth consideration.

Clickbait title edited; there is nothing urgent about this.

“Only a 2 hr flight from where I live.” = Not a real benefit. How long would a flight to CMC take ?

“I am not very interested in partying at all in college.” Then CMC is not the best option for you.

My point is that you need to prioritize your concerns. For example, are you more interested in a beautiful campus with palatial dorms and state of the art athletic facilities, or in easy access to a major US city ?

The academics are equal as is the prestige level of these two outstanding schools.

Getting into a good law school is all about one’s LSAT score &, to a lesser degree, about one’s undergraduate GPA. Undergraduate school attended is not a factor in law school admissions.

The cmc coach said I have 1 week to decide

I don’t think anyone is bored at Claremont. 5 colleges and their students and events, always something to do

CMC is about a 5/7 hour flight. Also I have met with the girls on sports team I am interested in (Claremont scripps mudd) and I really liked that a lot of girls don’t drink or go to parties. At tufts most of the people on the team drink but it is no pressure. I like being social, I just don’t like alcohol

After rereading your original post in this thread, it seems as though you prefer Tufts’ students, coaches & team members. This is important as you will be spending a sugnificant amount of your time in college with your swim team members & coaches.

Also, if partying is a major concern for you, then Tufts might be the better option.

P.S. The only certainty in the near term is that you will experience “buyer’s remorse” once a decision is made.

Boston versus the best LAC consortium in the country ?

Southern California versus New England ?

Such an interesting comparison. Thanks.

Since the tools and insights of economics represent a prominent component of public policy, you may want to consider this analysis with respect to CMC:

https://ideas.repec.org/top/top.uslacecon.html

If you are interested in IR and want to pursue graphic arts,Tufts sounds like the Cinderella fit.

I think you’ll find lots of people who party at both but it is important that you like the team and coach. Athletes are hardly exempt from substance use - anywhere.

You can’t really get this wrong. Either would be a great outcome.

I picked Tufts- thanks for your help!

@swimmerg111 congratulations! It’s so funny that you thought CMC was beautiful with amazing dorms, because my son and I had a very different reaction. I do agree that their athletic facility is really great. I’m sure you will be very happy at Tufts - well done!

And thank for commenting on the weed culture in the 5-Cs. My D visited this this week and that was a concern of hers too. She is very social but not a drinker or smoker. We’re visiting Boston in the Spring. Maybe Tufts. Congratulations on tow great choices. Hope you love Tufts.

From your original post it sounds like Tufts is the right fit for you. I have never heard anyone voice concerns about Tufts being too much of a party school- usually the opposite!
CMC has more of a bro culture rep. yes, this is a stereotype and probably not true, but most of the Pros you pointed out about CMC were kind of superficial. And for IR, well, you can’t beat Tufts.