Hi guys!
I am currently deciding between SB, UCI, Tufts, and CWRU. Details of my admissions as follows:
UCSB: Pre-Sociology (if I go, I’m going to try to switch my major before I commit)
UCI: Public Health
Tufts: technically undeclared, but on the Common App I put Econ, and I’d like to double in a science as well.
CWRU: technically undeclared, hoping to do a science (health field track), $22500/year scholarship
Pros of the UC’s: LOW TUITION (I’m in state). UCSB and UCI are close to beaches? Cali is my home?? Fits my academic profile better.
Cons: for UCSB, party school (?). I’ve talked to my relatives and parents and they say that I fit UCI better since I’m basically quiet and anti-social. Large classes, difficult to switch major.
Tufts: Tuition is so expensive! I’ve developed this weird love for Tufts (never visited before, though). I love the music program (cello for the win!!) and community service initiative (plan to continue that in college since they largely defined my high school career). Pros include smaller population/smaller classes? My friend, who is a student there, tells me the atmosphere is super friendly. I also like Massachusetts a lot. Lastly, I always viewed Tufts as my number one school. So I guess that merits something.
Cons: I’ve heard it’s an Ivy League level school where a lot of Ivy rejects end up going. I am definitely not Ivy level…Tufts was a reach for me.
And lastly… CASE!!
Pros: good health programs. I got a scholarship. Not much to say…
Cons: A disguised Ivy League (once again, things I have heard…)
Yeah so I guess it’s obvious I’m leaning towards Tufts, but before I make a brash decision I thought it’d be a good idea to let others have input (or maybe I’m wrong). My parents have been very involved in the college decision process (note: not application part) and my mom wants me to go to one school while my dad thinks another is better. Oh well. Comment away!
How much does cost matter? I.e. how much debt would you need, would your parents have to borrow or cosign your loans, and would your parents have to cut back on critical financial needs like retirement savings?
@ucbalumnus Honestly I don’t think it would matter. I just would feel terrible for attending a super expensive private school while my sibling is currently attending another expensive private school as well. I guess the only real fear for me then (for Tufts) is that I will not succeed there in my courses.
I visited Tufts on Monday when it was snowing like crazy and I talked to a couple of freshman (my friend is a freshman there). They all seemed super stressed out and rushed (they’re all still nice though). I’m expecting college to be like that so it didn’t bother me. I asked them to describe the nature of the academics (“they’re like Harvard and MIT level” was what I got). When I was walking around Dewick, I kind of felt that there was some self segregation going on. I have mixed feelings about that because the same thing happens at the high school I attend. I still think Tufts is better than my other choices, though.
It’s very difficult to get rid of my bias for Tufts, but at the same time I am trying to be more open-minded in deciding on a college. There’s a bit of me that is leaning towards Tufts because of its prestige and quality of education. The only school I consider an equal to Tufts is CWRU in terms of academics. In addition I think Tufts has a great classical music scene compared to the other schools. I hope to continue playing cello and making my own cello ensemble at school. However, this factor is very small because I am primarily looking for a college where I can get a stellar education (and do very well). I might not even play cello anymore if my course load becomes too demanding. I’m sort of okay with that (not sure :/)?
My only reservation about Tufts is the academic rigor. Tufts is a reach school for me (the average accepted GPA from my school is 4.28, while I applied with a 4.12), and I am afraid that I won’t get good grades in college, which is crucial for me as I plan to continue studies in graduate school. During HS I had mediocre studying/sleeping/living habits, and I guess it is wishful thinking to believe that if I fix myself, I will succeed at Tufts.
If anyone has advice regarding Tufts or any of the colleges I’m considering, that would be amazing. I’m really stuck on choosing a good college for me, and with May 1st looming, it becomes more and more urgent as each day passes.
EDIT: I am seriously considering studying a STEM subject (not Engineering as I am in ASE) and probably minoring in Economics or something because I like Econ. Also, although I have said Tufts is my first choice and everything, I don’t want to rush to make a decision…
From a prestige standpoint, this would appear to indicate a Tufts weakness, in that it somewhat gratuitously creates a comparison beyond what was required of your question.
