<p>I know what you mean about the PC-ness. The Primary Source thing got the administration to sponsor all these events in the name of diversity awareness. I understand that they sort of HAD to do it, in order to show that they really do care, but to me it was just kind of like...overkill. Like, I get it that Tufts faculty did not write the Christmas carol, you don't really NEED to do diversity and bias awareness seminars. But I'm all for diversity, so I guess it's fine.</p>
<p>I also agree that I didn't realize how many people smoked weed until I came to college. But it's not like you have to - you can have an awesome social life and be totally straightedge.</p>
<p>I like what you said about those awesome little internationally-minded moments - it's not like that stuff happens ALL the time, but you can create those opportunities pretty easily. I mean, we can talk about the Arab/Israeli conflict and the poetry of John Keats one moment, and the next just discuss, like...the latest on Lost or Project Runway, or whatever dumb YouTube video is circulating. But I have to say, I've never seen such a cool mix of personalities. I've met kids from Turkey, South Korea, rural PA, New Mexico, whatever, and their experiences are all so enriching to me: but also just, like, the WAY they talk, what they find funny. It creates such interesting dynamics and I learned a lot about different potentials for humor. Basically, these people were funny in ways that I'd never encountered where I grew up, which was really cool.</p>
<p>Yeah...I almost consider that a good thing...that like, at the top schools, the students are all SO over-the-top qualified that to give one a merit-based scholarship would mean you'd have to give ALL of them merit-based scholarships, you know?</p>
<p>no. in fact, if you are a reasonable conservative with a point of view, feel free to join the Source and try to make less susceptible to just being used as an umbrella. I know some cool kids who were on the Source and respected that they were so into their own beliefs despite a predominantly moderate/liberal-leaning campus. But most of these kids ended up leaving the Source b/c they felt like it was going in a direction they didn't like. It'd be nice to see some sound conservative thought.</p>
<p>I have a few more questions about Tufts. I'll try to weave some of the questions into a discussion. I tried flat-out putting down a list of questions I had on the Columbia forum and got very bad responses.</p>
<p>I think that people who enjoy college are involved in it and are active participants in the school community. These people just get more out of college that those who just stay in their rooms and study all day. This makes me wonder, how involved are people? Involvement means that the college provides opportunities for department seminars, tutorials, undergraduate research programs, opportunities for interdisciplinary and independent study, jointly taught courses, oversears programs, internships, and honors programs. I remember someone earlier said that he/she tries to get involved as much as possible, but this time I'm not just talking about extracurriculars.</p>
<p>Also, are there nerdy, quirky, intellectual types of students? I guess I'm kind of like that, and I want to have a better idea of if I'll fit in.</p>
<p>Okay, so I'm pretty much ready to apply. On the website they have the 2007-2008 essay questions. Are these the questions for class of '08? It might sound dumb, but U. Chicago's class of '08 questions are 2008-2009 essays, because that's the year the class of '08 will start college.</p>
<p>Thanks you guys for your comments. You're all really nice, unlike the Columbia folks...</p>
<p>Also, someone said in another thread that if you had to characterize the Tufts student body in one phrase, it would be "save-the-world."</p>
<p>Most of my extracurriculars relate to math, chess, and Latin--not exactly the save the world type activities. On the other hand, in ninth grade and this summer, I did about 140 hours of community service in a few areas that I enjoy working in: organic farming, feeding the homeless, and working on trails projects. These projects have shaped me as a human--they have shaped the way I think about the world and they have gotten me more interested in the world's problems. For example, after learning about the horrors of agribusiness from my organic farm project, I decided to read The Meat You Eat, a book that exposes how agribusiness is harmful to the world. In general I've been finding out more info and am more interested in helping the world out in bigger ways.</p>
<p>In my application and essays, would it be wise to emphasize these projects over math and chess and Latin, even though I spend lots of time with the latter? In other words, in my application, should I emphasize the save-the-world attitude I have in order to show how I'd fit in the Tufts community?</p>
<p>When I say that the Tufts stereotype is save-the-world, it ties into Tufts' mantra "active citizenship." This is emphasized across the curricula at Tufts -- whether you're an engineer, pre-med, an English major, or IR. This doesn't necessarily mean that you want to be the secretary general of the UN or that you'll work for the Peace Corps for two years after graduating (though Tufts IS a top feeder! :) ) -- this means that Tufts students and graduates are very aware of what their profession entails -- socially, environmentally, etc. </p>
<p>If your interests in math and science, even chess and Latin, define you as a person -- write about it in your essays. They will be more genuine essays as a result, and therefore more successful with the admissions committee. If somehow those interests tie into something you would identify as "active citizenship" then great. But don't force it, either. Be yourself.</p>
<p>Yes, Tufts really does have that sort of emphasis on active citizenship and I think you have a solid foundation on which to elaborate for your app. My advice is to look through Tufts's academic pages and department pages for projects and programs that are compelling to you. Then draw parallels between your personal convictions and aspirations and what the school stands for.</p>
<p>For instance, I've wanted to be an investment banker since I was ~9 years old? Try putting a positive, "active citizenship" spin on one of the most selfish and bloodthirsty, don't-care-if-i-screw-over-the-little-guy-as-long-as-i-make-the-firm-money industries in the professional world. I think I said something about investment banking being the main catalyst in the push for more efficient markets / sourcing for technologies and services that benefit humankind. I also discussed microfinance and its development as an asset class / potential to deliver sizeable returns / beacon of hope for impoverished nations. The connection with Tufts? Tufts is growing its microfinance operations (thanks to Pierre, founder of eBay, and Pam Omidyar's somewhat-recent 100 million dollar donation to the cause). The investment office (which helps to grow the endowment and secure permanent capital for the school) is really the first endowment to explore microfinance as a moral investment that can generate returns suitable for an institutional investor. It's really admirable how much effort Tufts is putting in to set an example for other endowments and pension funds with regards to microfinance, in terms of preliminary modelling and reporting.</p>
<p>cool stuff.. </p>
<p>in terms of finding people like yourself? It's quite easy at tufts, there's a number of different social groups, but unlike high school, the majority of kids are really smart. So no matter whom you talk to, you'll get something out of the conversation. Even the kids who party a lot would more suitably be categorized "intellectual alcoholics" than "drunk fools."</p>
<p>Yeah - I agree with bos_tpe that it's easy to find people you're compatible with. Like, I had a main group of friends, but in addition I had some assorted random people that I was really close to, and as long as you make the effort to call them and get dinner and hang out, you can have some really excellent friendships.</p>
<p>But bos, that's impressive, going for investment banking in a school with no business program ;-)</p>
<p>ha business is pointless.. in fact i've always been under the impression that its kind of a ******** program.. frankly speaking.. i think its better to be well rounded and come from a liberal arts or engineering background to succeed in i-banking.. theres absolutely no need for an undergrad business program (unless its wharton.. but only because wharton has such a strong combination of lib arts AND finance) thats what your MBA's for! Wharton is possibly the only undergrad business program in the nation that focuses on the important things whereas all too many other schools focus on the management and corporate structure side (why is that relevant at all to an undergrad?)</p>
<p>Yeah, good point. My dad works at Goldman and told me that recently the i-bankers are recruiting engineers, b/c apparently they have the right "problem-solving-oriented mentality" that Goldman wants in an i-banker.</p>
<p>My investment banker friends are dying working 80-110 hour weeks :( I don't envy your ambition to do that job haha. Why couldn't they have stuck to their science/engineering concentrations? Their lives would have been so much more stress free. Now that they live their lives of luxury and high power stress while being paid a bagillion dollars, I wonder if they ever have time to appreciate everything that's being flown 300 mph by them. They'll probably retire by the age of 30 as it's the quintessential get rich quick job in America, but is it worth it? I'm a lazy science person that tries to find a rich husband - such noble aspirations :)</p>
<p>I think the crazy part about the entire thing is.. I don't care so much for the money.. I'm interested in a high stress job and just the power of a high position.. I have no intention of retiring early.. I just want to get in the industry.. make a career out of it.. and maybe cool off working at a hedge fund or private equity firm from 30-35 upward.. I just like to be under stress.. perhaps I'm a masochist?</p>
<p>Okay, I do not have the time to read this whole thread right now, but I have a quick Tufts question. How is it for business? I obviously know they do not know have a business program, but do people often go into business school, or business?</p>
<p>I don't know about stats as far as how many people go on to get MBAs, but there's an Entrepreneurial Leadership Studies MINOR that many kids opt to take, and often the kids pursuing ELS are Econ majors. I know a fair few Econ majors that do intend to get MBAs, though.</p>