<p>
[quote]
Call it east coast bias,
[/quote]
</p>
<p>It's East Coast bias, pure and simple.</p>
<p>non transferable-</p>
<p>US News does not rank USC and Tufts closely; they are ranked the same- #26. So just curious, what is your speculation based on?</p>
<p>lolabelle: The reason that this issue matters is not because of an arbitrary designation, but for the efficiency of the CC board. As it stands now, would-be USC posters have to click through two additional screens to get to their intended destination. Listing USC as a "Top University" would allow those 40,000+ posts to be read and responded to more quickly.
Statistically, it is hard to view this issue as anything but bias by those who fail to admit that there is an active, engaged group in the USC section.</p>
<p>All of you say "not that US News matters" but you still use the multiply-flawed ranking to justify being on a random CC top university list.</p>
<p>I agree with not transferable, and it's not because of East Coast bias. Compare the stats of kids who get into Tufts -- not just those accepted, but those enrolled (whose stats will usually be lower than the accepted class) -- they're really more impressive than USC's. This is not to say USC is not a great school, it's just that the two schools are very different. Tufts is brainier, more LAC, undergraduate-focused, with no care for sports.</p>
<p>I just sent my second message to CC regarding this issue, and I expect a another no-response. I just find it really hard to believe USC is not listed there.</p>
<p>USC: 33,979 applicants. 25% admit rate.
Tufts: 15,386 applicants. 27.5% admit rate.</p>
<p>The admit rate says very little. The Tufts applicant pool is more self-selective. Also Tufts was overenrolled by 5% this year so they accepted more than they should have. I'm not going to argue with you. Look at average SATs, class rank, average ACTs, etc. Those numbers say something of relevance.</p>
<p>Univeristy of Chicago admit rate: 38%. Admit rates don't always correlate to the school's quality.</p>
<p>Thank you, Nottransferable. :) My point, exactly.</p>
<p>not transferable-
I would still like to hear YOUR argument about why Tufts over USC (as a Top University on CC).</p>
<p>damn, i think usc accepted too many people too. it's rather crowded going to class</p>
<p>I think most everyone who doesn't go to USC would say that Tufts is a much more academically challenging, intellectually oriented school than USC is. That's not to say USC doesn't attract some smart kids, it's just not the kind of kids who go to schools like Tufts. Schools similar to Tufts, in my book, would include Dartmouth, Brown, Amherst, Wesleyan, Johns Hopkins, etc.. Schools similar to USC, I'd name NYU, UCLA, etc..</p>
<p>That's a pretty hefty (and unsubstantiated) claim though, don't you think? In terms of academic challenge, I think that's more of an individual issue, and in regards to environment, that too can be an individual matter.</p>
<p>I couldn't give a lick about football, and I'm still (hopefully) attending USC =P.</p>
<p>I didn't say anything about football, by the way.</p>
<p>My claim isn't unsubstantiated. I listed schools Tufts shares many cross-applicants with. I shared schools USC has many cross-applicants.</p>
<p>The only opinionated statement was that I believe the schools I listed along side Tufts -- places like Brown, Wesleyan, Johns Hopkins -- are more intellectually driven than places like USC,NYU, etc. I really do believe that. I think it's also supported by the fact that SAT scores and class ranks at those schools are higher than at NYU, USC, UCLA. </p>
<p>I'll agree to disagree with you though.</p>
<p>kovi000- Do you have stats to back up your opinion?</p>
<p>I've been searching for COMPARABLE admission stats (GPA/class rankings, test scores) from USC and Tufts and I haven't found any yet. I'd sure like some links if anyone finds any.</p>
<p>The only COMPARABLE stat I can find is that they are tied in ranking for US News (I know, I know- many of you have a strong disdain for those rankings!)</p>
<p>OK, taken from each respective school's admissions website -- ADMITTED students, i.e. not the enrolled class:</p>
<p>Mid 50% range Math SAT I: (this stat is the closest USC comes to Tufts)</p>
<p>Tufts - 680-770
USC - 670-760</p>
<p>Mid 50% range Reading SAT I:</p>
<p>Tufts - 690-760
USC - 640-730</p>
<p>Mid 50% range Writing SAT I:</p>
<p>Tufts - 680-760
USC - 650-730</p>
<p>ACT:</p>
<p>Tufts - 31 (mean)
USC - 28 to 31 (50% range)</p>
<p>These are still comparable stats because we can see that the exact mean of Tufts is 31 while USC's mean has to be BETWEEN 28 and 31, in other words LIKELY closer to 29.5, but CERTAINLY lower than 31, the mean at Tufts.</p>
<p>Pretty darn CLOSE, but you're right, Tufts admit stats are a little higher.</p>
<p>Correction to your stats- Middle 50% ACT for USC is 28-32. USC mean ACT would be closer to 30 compared to Tufts 31. </p>
<p>I still think USC gets extra points for football AND it's incredible weather :)
(I was going to say "location" but, yeah, it's not in the best ACTUAL neighborhood, but it's CLOSE to great locations!)
(And I also give it 100 extra brownie points for s#1's great job he got with his conncections he had from USC!)</p>
<p>Tufts' "little higher" stats actually put it on par or higher than half the Ivies. 30 points on each SAT section makes a big difference.</p>
<p>Concur with lolabelle. I would still rather go to USC over Tufts though.</p>
<p>I don't really see why Tufts is relevant at all. The important point is that there is more interest and activity on the USC board than on 13 of the schools currently listed as CC "Top Universities." Shouldn't one of those schools get dropped down to "alphabetical' status?</p>