<p>HAHAHAHA...I love his T-shirts. Esp. the Seinfeld ones. Dan, I can't think of any embarrassing stories, only stories that depict your helpfulness and competence. If we were talking about Isaac, then I'd never run out of material.</p>
<p>But please, I beg of you, do not capitalize bluirinka! Come on, you've talked to me online, you KNOW there's no capital b. GOSH.</p>
<p>Dan:</p>
<p>Thanks and I truly hope that you follow your word on transparen cy. I recognize that admissions officers have a tough job, with more than enough applicants well within the admit zone of stats and not enough seats (dorm rooms). That being said, my D did not apply to Tufts this past year. I know about Tufts because one of my college profs. was a Tufts School of Law and Diplomacy PhD. Its a great school. But so many great schools have peculiar admissions policies that are NOT transparent. That means people who apply for financial aid are discriminated against, that legacy gets a leg up, and that some people with connections get in with lower scores that are sometimes below the 25th percentile. It happened this past year and to some of my D's friends. </p>
<p>I think all colleges should be VERY transparent to prospective applicants and tell them that a school is more than the average sat scores of students and what makes a good fit is not necessarily a score. Further, that they ought to be open and say, "below this number and your chances are not good." Or,"we reserve the right to save 25% of our seats for legacy and people with money and influence." That is more honest than professing to be holistic and then in fact being very stat oriented. I know a prestigious southern school or two that are guilty of that every year and it really defies belief, particularly when they proclaim lauded honor codes.</p>
<p>I would rather kids had the cold hard truth up front, so as to NOT waste their time,money, interest and trouble if they are really just fodder for the circular file.</p>
<p>And I know Tufts is NOT a school that is hard to get into but really soft on the inside. I know your academic rigor is well known. I applaud that. Some schools are highly selective in admissions only, and then rather bland once you get there. I wont name names.</p>
<p>I agree with everyone that one should look closely at published scores and use that as a general measure of admissability. But what I am talking about is the behind the scenes games that go on for "special cases" that make everyone sick.</p>
<p>Just my two cents. And welcome.</p>
<p>Okay, I applaud "circular file." That was HYSTERICAL.</p>
<p>Dan and Jon, I have an AP question for you. My younger daughter, a HS senior, is considering Tufts, Georgetown, and several Ivies. We live in a rural Georgia county with a public HS that does not generally meet State performance standards. Both our girls have coped by supplementing themselves extensively out-of-school, have been at the top of their classes academically, and have gotten their SATs into the 2150-2250 range. Our HS only offers 5 AP classes and the quality varies; our first daughter took them all and then got 4s and 5s, but typically had to re-teach herself the material. When the second daughter came through, she decided that her educational experience would be better if she took certain courses as a joint-enrollment student at our local state college rather than taking them AP at the HS. Accordingly, she's only taken 3 APs (two 4s and a 5). Her ECs are exceptionally strong; I'd guess that her awards and honors would be in the top one or two percent if they were graded as standardized tests are. How much of a shortcoming do you think her few APs may pose at the types of schools to which she plans to apply? Should she try to take the AP tests without taking the AP courses, but doing the college work and then studying the test prep books?</p>
<p>Hey Dan and John</p>
<p>We were discussing this on another thread and someone suggested I ask you guys - so here goes.</p>
<p>The Tufts website states, in regard to the SAT, that:</p>
<p>"The Admissions Committee will use the highest individual scores for each section..."</p>
<p>I was wondering whether this holds true for the ACT as well.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>sorry read the thread lead.....they will not chance anyone and will not answer specifics about your son or daughter related to admissions. Its simply a general thread to welcome them. I commented on the general experience we had in admissions last year.</p>
<p>Yesterday was Dan's birthday! Let's give him a warm CC Happy Birthday, lol.</p>
<p>Welcome!! Welcome!!</p>
<p>Dan,
Before the decisions come out, I wanted to say, as a parent of a hopeful applicant, having your voice added to these discussions has been phenomenal. Thank you for taking the time, especially in the past couple of months when surely it was a very busy time.</p>
<p>i second expatme!</p>
<p>i never see jonadmissofficer post…</p>
<p>I’d like to tell the Tufts Admissions department what a wonderful job they do, both with their information session and tours. We visited with son #1 two years ago, for whom Tufts was a favorite, though he ended up being accepted ED to another school; and now son #2, for whom Tufts set the bar for other schools to match. Thanks, also, for arranging beautiful sunny days in March both visits, the better to see the gorgeous Boston skyline! The crowds were enormous this past week, but Tufts manages to handle the crowds with ease, and the admissions reps who have spoken both times have been relaxed, welcoming and informative. Thanks you!</p>
<p>welcome…tufts thread is so helpful, esp due to admission officers like you…i so hope i m gonna get in…fingers crossed</p>
<p>Thanks. You guys have been extremely helpful with no ego. Keep up the good work!!!</p>