I got into both Tufts and Wesleyan. I am not sure which school I want to go to. I think I want to be a government major but I’m not sure. I think I like the artsy/intellectual culture at Wesleyan but I don’t know much about Tufts culture. Please help me decide. What are the main differences between Tufts and Wesleyan? Which would you choose?
1 Like
Just my impression, but I see Wesleyan as a true liberal arts college. Tufts has some characteristics of a liberal arts college, but over the years, has developed a more professional orientation.
In addition, Medford feels like a campus that is an extension of Boston and Middletown feels a lot more like a traditional campus, certainly not urban.
Government is strong at both places and the student body is similar academically IMO so select on how you want to spend your college years.
3 Likes
Wesleyan offers a discernible nature, which would make it the more desirable choice for an undergraduate education, in my opinion.
2 Likes
Tufts is the home of the Fletcher School of Diplomacy.
Tufts offers cross registration with other Boston area schools.
Basically, 6,000 students versus 3,000 students.
Two great options. A matter of personal preference rather than of right versus wrong.
1 Like
If you’re interested in government, wouldn’t it be better to have the internship opportunities of a major city, Boston, available to you during school? Wouldn’t the Fletcher School be of benefit to you? If you were to decide on a different major, wouldn’t a larger school offer you more choices than a small LAC?
2 Likes
Hartford, the capital of Connecticut, is 19 minutes away from Middletown. So I think both schools have good political internship opportunities.
I agree the Fletcher School is an advantage over Wesleyan. What research and other opportunities are available to undergrads from the Fletcher School? I perceived that the Fletcher School is more for graduate students.
I think Wesleyan offers all of the majors and their class list is quite extensive. What choices are available at Tufts and not Wesleyan?
1 Like
What do you mean a discernable nature?
Hartford is NOT 19 minutes from Wesleyan. If you can keep a car there, maybe half an hour at best. And by public transportation, it’s 60-90 minutes, by bus, if there’s no traffic, or possibly by bus and train. It’s half an hour public transportation Tufts to Boston.
But you’re right, there would be opportunities in government in Hartford, too.
How will the way I spend my college years be different?
In terms of an independent site, Wesleyan appears in this sampling of schools with strong political science programs:
Tufts’ Fletcher School, plus great location would be my choice. (i’m at Tufts)
If you change your major you have tons of choices. Very flexible open curriculum. Great advisors. Great art and music department. Collaborative student environment. Great food! you should try to visit and at least tour the area near Tufts and surrounding Boston. For me there is no comparison.
I am not saying you should go to Tufts, but…
I don’t think same level.
1 Like
Tufts has a Boston-influence. Wesleyan is more contained, and if you think it has a Hartford- influence - choose Tufts!
Have you visited? I didn’t apply to Tufts because I was turned off that they don’t guarantee housing for all four years. Also, then I read multiple posts of people saying that the housing by campus is subpar and very expensive. Personally, if I’m going to be paying big bucks to a school, I want to know they’re taking care of me. But I think ultimately you should visit, even unofficially, and that should make up your mind.
1 Like
All kidding aside, Wesleyan (as the name of its hometown might indicate) is located just about half-way between Boston and New York City and is heavily influenced by Boston sports team loyalty, NYC art and theater and over the past forty or so years an increasingly West Coast/LA pop culture influence. As such I always advise pre-frosh to load up on Patriots regalia, memorize the lyrics to at least one tune from “Hamilton” and learn to love black and white movies.
4 Likes
Perhaps it would have been clearer if I’d said “definable nature.” In either case, this represents a concept you have expressed yourself, in stating “I think I like the artsy/intellectual culture at Wesleyan.”
1 Like
Have you visited both? A Texas friend visited Tufts and BC with their son and were turned off due to campus layout and urban feel. Something about BC being split up. Not much campus at Tufts.
Ultimately chose Wake Forest so they might’ve picked Wes over Tufts. I’ve visited Wes many years ago and liked it. Tufts seems to attract urbane kids on a mission. Great reputation though.
In physical terms, Tufts, with a larger student population than Wesleyan, resides on a smaller campus (150 acres) than Wesleyan (316 acres).
Big question here is do you want a LAC or a mid-size university?
If possible, try to visit.
If you can’t visit here are some suggestions:
–If you haven’t done so yet look at some good guide books (ex. Fiske, Princeton Review) for each school’s review.
–If you have an academic area of interest look at the course catalogues (should be online).
–Participate in any online accepted student events.
–See if you can get the two school newspapers online to get a sense of campus life.
–Look at the two school pages here on CC and possibly Niche as well.
–If there is a meaningful price differential that should be a consideration as well.
Congratulations on your success in the admissions cycle. No right or wrong choice here – just try to find your best fit among two wonderful schools.
My son faced the same dilemma a couple of years ago as Wes and Tufts were his two final choices. He visited both for accepted student days with his dad (who secretly hoped he would pick Wes). Ultimately he chose Tufts and is very happy with his choice. He’s majoring in Community Health as a pre-med. He loved both schools but decided based on the following:
-
Tufts offered many more classes in public health. Wes had limited classes for this major, and offered many of them only in one semester per year. In this sense, Wes is truly a liberal arts school, which my son realized maybe wasn’t what he was looking for.
-
Tufts had more full-time faculty in his department; Wes had less full-time and more adjuncts/visiting faculty. This can be important if you’re trying to establish relationships for research, advising, etc.
-
Wes was a little more social justice-y then he wanted. I think the Wes President’s speech during the student visit day was interrupted by protestors, which didn’t help.
-
Tufts housing is a challenge. It’s guaranteed for 2 years. DS and his friends entered the lottery for housing for his 3rd year, but they got a terrible number. There is a mad rush to find housing in October of sophomore year. He bypassed that and used a realtor to find an apartment last month with his buddies. It is not cheap. Rent can range from $750-$1200 per month per person.
Ultimately, if you want a true liberal arts experience with varied coursework, you can’t go wrong with Wes. If you want a deeper dive into major courses, Tufts may be a better fit.
Congrats on two great choices!
3 Likes