<p>I got into both Tufts University and the University of Pennsylvania (yay!) and I'm having trouble deciding. They're both great schools, but I feel like Penn has more prestige. But I really love the environment at Tufts. I also feel like Tufts has a better International Relations program, which is what I want to study.</p>
<p>Any cost difference?</p>
<p>I haven’t gotten my aid package from Tufts yet.</p>
<p>Tufts is a good school but Penn is in a different league altogether IMHO. Choose UPenn and don’t look back.</p>
<p>From the information you’ve provided, Tufts seems like a better choice for you. Don’t underestimate the level of prestige Tufts has. You’re very lucky to have gotten into two great schools so you can’t go wrong with your choice. Instead of asking how much prestige one has over another, ask yourself “which college will I be happiest at?” </p>
<p>But, even so, remember to take into consideration your financial aid packages when you recieve them. Hope this helps!</p>
<p>Tufts has one of the best IR programs in the country (only Georgetown and Johns Hopkins really surpass it). For what you want to pursue the choice is clearly tufts.</p>
<p>That’s what I’ve been thinking. (For the record, I’m waitlisted at Georgetown and Johns Hopkins). I’m interested in doing humanitarian work, which Tufts seems more geared towards. Penn seems more pre-professional. But it’s hard to look past the prestige, and I’m thinking about career prospects and graduate school and the like. I’m still very conflicted, but thanks for the input. Let me know of any other thoughts.</p>
<p>Only 2 days to decide, and I’m still conflicted! I have to pay slightly more for tufts, but my family is willing to make the contribution if I really want to go there. Tufts has a better IR program and a better location (to me at least), but Penn ironically has a better study abroad program. At Tufts if I don’t choose from 10 Tufts programs then my aid doesn’t transfer. Tufts seems like I would fit in better, while at Penn I feel like I would have to search a little. Someone help please, I’m terrified of making the wrong decision!</p>
<p>Don’t be terrified of making the wrong decision, because there is no wrong decision in this case! On which campus did you feel the most at “home”? You seem to have a gut level preference for Tufts and I think you should go with that.</p>
<p>You can find any type of person at either school, so I wouldn’t org worry too much about finding people you fit it in with.</p>
<p>Are you sure you’re going to study IR and remain in that field? A lot of students switch their major while in college - I would imagine Penn as being stronger is pretty much every other field when compared to tufts. </p>
<p>Is tufts worth the extra bit money? I would say that depends on whether or not you think tufts will give you better opportunities than Penn. </p>
<p>Personally, I would go for UPenn since all around all of Penn’s departments are strong and Penn has excellent connections with the city to help students gain internships (Penn is the top school in the immediate area, whereas Tufts is not, which may make competition for internships in the area more competitive at Tufts)</p>
<p>OP summarizes it well.</p>
<p>Penn has more prestige but Tufts is a better fit for him.</p>
<p>With this analysis, one could justify choosing either school. No right or wrong answer here.</p>
<p>@NYU2013 “Penn is the top school in the immediate area” So Swarthmore is in Delaware?</p>
<p>I wouldn’t consider Swarthmore to be in the immediate area, no. It’s ovef 9 miles outside of Philadelphia city center.</p>
<p>If you want to do IR and a place feels better, go to Tufts. Let’s be honest here, both schools are highly regarded:</p>
<p>Both schools have smart students (their average SAT scores are de facto the same (a small edge to Tufts)).</p>
<p>They both have successful almuni (Interestingly, despite not having a business school, Tufts ties Penn and Dartmouth (for 2nd) for the number of undergraduate alumni that are Fortune 100 CEOs. I always found that intriguing.).</p>
<p>And both are in cool cities. </p>
<p>There is no ‘crowding out’ for job opportunities. Especially for reputable for profit and non-profit places).</p>
<p>Ultimately, college is a stepping stone / platform. You will meet people, learn things, and have great opportunities. If you spend all your time on prestige, you won’t get far. Because no one that actually matters cares. And as a stepping stone, you want to go to a place that provides an environment that is more comfortable.</p>
<p>Clearly if you liked Tufts better and it’s highly regarded in what you want to pursue then this is a pretty obvious choice.</p>
<p>^ and Tufts is 6 miles from central Boston. Your point should have been that Swarthmore is not better than Penn.</p>
<p>OP, you want to study IR and do humanitarian work. How much will your undergrad degree cost? Will you also need grad school? What earnings potential are you expecting?</p>
<p>No, Chardo, it shouldn’t have been because I don’t think Penn is better than Swarthmore. Please don’t put words into other people’s mouths - not only is it poor manners, you’ll end up looking silly when the person corrects you.</p>
<p>Go with your heart!</p>
<p>Based on what you’ve said about yourself, I think you’ll fit in much better with the Tufts community.</p>
<p>Advice on how to choose from the Tufts Dean of Admissions “Procrastinator’s “Guide” to Finishing Your College Search” -
[Procrastinator?s</a> ?Guide? to Finishing Your College Search · Inside Admissions · Tufts University Admissions Department](<a href=“Procrastinator’s “Guide” to Finishing Your College Search · Inside Admissions | Tufts Admissions”>Procrastinator’s “Guide” to Finishing Your College Search · Inside Admissions | Tufts Admissions)
It’s a good article that applies to anyone still trying to decide on a school.</p>