<p>I'm in a conundrum. I'm having a really hard time deciding between these three schools (although I'm leaning towards Tufts and Wellesley just for Boston's sake). I've drawn up pro/con lists for them all, looked through college guides, and I still can't make up my mind!</p>
<p>Tufts was my dream school throughout high school (mostly because of the 5-year program with the SMFA), but more and more I've been noticing that I can't read a single thing about it without seeing it referred to in some way as an Ivy League Reject school. Does that affect the attitudes of its students, and will that stigma stay with me if I go there and after I graduate?</p>
<p>Wellesley has a gorgeous campus and great reputation, but I'm a little worried about it being all girls. Yet it seems to have such a strong identity and great atmosphere. </p>
<p>Which is the better school academically? From which school will a degree be more impressive? And which school offers the better overall experience?</p>
<p>Uh oh, you are about to encounter the wrath of a small group of very loyal Tufts students on here! ;-) That said, I don't think it is fair to label Tufts as an "Ivy Reject" school, as Tufts is a fine institution in its own right, filled with talented students, a number of which certainly turned down Ivy League schools to go there. The few people I have known that have graduated from TU spoke highly of their time there and have gone on to be very successful. If Boston is a draw for you, Tufts is much closer in proximity to the city than Wellesley and seems to be less of a "bubble" atmosphere.</p>
<p>I have to run now, but I'll let the Tufts boosters jump in (and Wellesley, for that matter) and comment on their own!</p>
<p>Here's a loyal Tufts student :)</p>
<p>I was also accepted to Tufts and Wellesley four years ago and was very drawn to both for academics. However, I too was essentially pretty turned off by the all-girls factor. It might not have been such a big deal if Wellesley wasn't so isolated from Boston. Yeah, there's the Wellesley bus that goes to Cambridge & Boston, but... I don't know, I wasn't too convinced.</p>
<p>I agree with Art Vandelay that it's really outdated to call Tufts an Ivy League reject school. Myself I turned down Cornell & Dartmouth, and I know people who did the same to Penn and Brown for a myriad of reasons (financial aid packages, location, a special academic program, etc.). I don't think people are unhappy here; in fact, Princeton Review named us one of the top 10 schools with the Happiest Students :D</p>
<p>My boyfriend is in the SMFA-Tufts dual-degree program; it's great. If you have any questions about Tufts and/or that degree program, let me know. It's very unique and the experience is very much worth it.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Of course Tufts is an excellent school, I have no doubt about that, (I have a good friend who turned down Dartmouth for Tufts) and I don't think the label is fair either, but it's there nonetheless. I just wonder if it's evident in the attitude of the students, or the way people view the school.</p>
<p>As for Boston, the closeness of Tufts is definitely a big plus. Also, if I were to participate in the SMFA program, I would have excuses to go into the city regularly.</p>
<p>Hello, Lolabelle! You answered my chances thread on the Tufts forum months ago, and you were right about me getting in! (You definitely relieved a lot of my nervousness.)</p>
<p>Hi again Puckero,</p>
<p>Great, I'm glad I may have assuaged your nerves a few months ago... :)</p>
<p>No, I really don't think that there is an overall negative attitude on the part of Tufts students... definitely, like at every school, there are kids whose first choice was not Tufts, but I think that Tufts is very good to its students in terms of providing an individualized education, good extracurriculars and the funding for research, etc. that soon even the grumpiest kid will have reasons to really love their experience at Tufts. Not to mention the friends you make! That makes all the difference.</p>
<p>Oh, and I noticed you were also considering NYU... I do personally think that Wellesley and Tufts are on a different playing field in terms of academics; and I have a friend in the fine arts program there who complains of resources and faculty.</p>