<p>I haven't visited it (not economically viable); I know it's impossible to understand the true feel of a place until you do so, but I've researched the heck out of it and I know a few people who attend or have visited. I also looked through some video supplements of accepted students- this, I think, sent me over the edge. I haven't found a single quality I dislike thus far. It seems like a perfectly-sized school that offers a lot of opportunity, has a great political environment, and has my ideal student body- full of quirky and diverse intelligence (whenever "quirky student body" comes up, it usually involves a heavy drug scene as well, which is a detractor for me. Glad that Tufts is not particularly known for its drug scene). As of right now, it's my first-choice (I can't apply ED anywhere though, as financial aid is going to be an issue in picking my college). </p>
<p>Most people have called the school a solid target for me, but it's not a solid match. I want a few alternative universities with an environment- especially when it comes to the student body- and opportunities similar to Tufts. Preferably looking for universities with a selectivity slightly less than Tufts', but not much less.</p>
<p>If it helps, my academics are decent (3.85 UW GPA, 4.5 W, 33 ACT, math-heavy courseload but only 2 years of foreign language) though my EC is weak (4 years photographer in Yearbook & Newspaper, President of Key Club, a handful of other very minor things). I am a Middle Eastern female who's lived in South Texas for the past 12 years.</p>
<p>Look into WashU. I only visited for a day or so post-acceptance, but I found it to essentially be a Tufts in the Midwest that was a bit more science focused. Of course, the fact that it was a Tufts in the Midwest (in my impression anyway) became 60% of the reason I didn’t attend, but there you have it.</p>
<p>Other thoughts: Brown, Vassar, a lot of the top US News SLACs, Olin, Harvey Mudd. Not really sure though, none of those were on my application list.</p>
<p>I am hard-pressed to come up with another university that feels so much like a smallish liberal arts college. Brown certainly feels similar in many ways. WashU has more imposing (and beautiful) architecture, and a much larger campus, and its undergrad population is about 20-22% larger than Tufts, but it also has a very comfortable, warm and personal atmosphere. Tufts, though, has a distinctly New England feel to it, which WashU of course does not have. I happen to love that N.E. feel, but beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
Harvey Mudd and Olin, referenced above, are much smaller and are engineering/science/tech schools, so i don’t think they are remotely comparable.</p>
<p>I think Brandeis comes pretty close. And Vassar as one of the largest LACs perhaps. (But it’s campus is much more isolated from the surrounding city - some would consider that an advantage.)</p>
<p>Maybe Macalester? It’s slightly less selective but a fantastic school known for its laid-back, quirky students. It also has a great IR/Poly Sci program.</p>
<p>True. They have a reputation of being quirky though, which is more of what I was commenting on. I probably wouldn’t have normally mentioned them, but OP did reference a science-heavy courseload in high school.</p>
<p>Thanks all. WashU and Vassar both seem like popular choices. I’m actually already applying to WashU and was strongly considering Vassar. I do prefer universities having close access to an urban location, mainly for opportunities involved. I’m from the South so the Midwest and Northeast will both be a (refreshing) change. However, I have only visited various cities in the Northeast and it appeals to me very much- minus, perhaps, the weather. I was briefly considering Brandeis and I may look into it further…I considered Macalester too but I felt there were other schools I’d rather apply to.</p>
<p>I am enthralled by Harvey Mudd, particularly its association with the 5 Cs. However, I feel it is probably out of my reach, unless it is considerably less competitive for female applicants.</p>
<p>It is a bit easier for females to get into Mudd. But - you have to be pretty darn sure that you will major in the STEM area, and that you will be able to handle a very rigorous course load.
Brandeis is very like Tufts in many ways. It’s a bit harder to get into Boston. BU may seem too big to you, but you might fit well there and it’s a bit easier to get into than Tufts (I think.)
Carnegie Mellon?</p>
<p>Brown
Rice
Wash U. (caveat: been categorized as a more academically zealous version of Tufts)
Univ. of Rochester
Emory
Northwestern, albeit more Greek-driven with not as cosmopolitan or internationally-focused student population as Tufts</p>
<p>Not:
Brandeis–campus nowhere as pretty as Tufts, and students often complaining that the administration/faculty are not supportive
Vassar
Olin, Carnegie-Mellon, and Harvey Mudd are schools with a distinctly physical sciences feel</p>
<p><<<most people=“” have=“” called=“” the=“” school=“” a=“” solid=“” target=“” for=“” me=“”>>>
Not sure that one can say this about any selective school, anymore, especially Tufts, which seems to be looking for some abstract qualities in their applicants, thus the “holistic admissions” associated with Tufts. My child had plenty of friends who were stellar applicants, on paper, who were rejected by Tufts.</most></p>
I was briefly considering Brandeis and I may look into it further…I considered Macalester too but I felt there were other schools I’d rather apply to.</p>