<p>Some of you may have found yourselves perplexed by the "Why Tufts?" question on the Supplemental Application Form. I've been receiving a lot of feedback that 50 words just isn't enough space to explain what prompts an application to Tufts.</p>
<p>I am, for the most part, in agreement with that sentiment - especially as an alum of the school. Please be aware that you can run over the 50 word 'suggestion.' The number is there more to guide applicants than to limit them. If your answer to that question ends up being 100 or even 150 words, you should be ok. That question is a delicate one. We want our applicants to focus in on one or two aspects of the experience that REALLY excite them. Find a way to express enthusiasm in that space, so that your admissions officer can start to get enthusiastic about you. Take more space if you need, but being specific will help you stay short and true to the intent of the question.</p>
<p>I'd like to thank GroovyGeek for the feedback that prompted this post, and I've passed your helpful and constructive criticism to the parts of the office who haven't acquainted themselves with CC. </p>
<p>Let's use this thread to ask for clarification, discuss the challenges of answering this question, and offer constructive help on how to effectively use that brief space.</p>
<p>Thanks for taking the time to follow up. I was thinking of posting the suggestions in a separate thread, to allow you to comment (no admissions officer in their right mind will post in a "chances" thread), I am glad that you saw it and responded. I only wish my D had this info before submitting her app. She worked VERY hard at the 50 word limit, and it ended up sounding like declaration more than a substantiated position. I guess this is one of the few downsides of her being organized :-)</p>
<p>My brother went to Tufts many years ago and he always talked about the fact that a lot of people were there because they wanted to be in Boston and couldn't get into Harvard or MIT and so they kind of 'ended up' at Tufts. Presumably, the point of that question is to convince Tufts that they aren't a safety school for you -- and that you're not just going there because your girlfriend is also going to college in Boston and it's nearby, or because your relatives all went there. At least that's how I would read the question. .</p>
<p>Momzie, your reading of the question is off, but only a little bit. We generally aren't trying to gage where Tufts falls on a student's list - we're trying to get a sense of how well the student has research their options and whether or not he/she would be proud to be a Tufts student. That question is wholly separate from the issue of "Safety School" or not. I know it feels like a semantic difference, but I believe there's a HUGE distinction there. Ideally, every school on a student's list should be a place about which he/she can get excited - including the safeties. As long as I can pick up on that sentiment - that they would be excited and proud to attend - I'm satisfied. </p>
<p>I made a post in another thread describing some of the major cultural changes that have taken place at Tufts since I matriculated at Tufts. I encourage you to read my post on this subject, if you haven't already (located</a> here). Your brother was part of a culture that no longer exists at Tufts - a culture that ended while I was a student. Today's first-year students aren't having the conversation that our peers did when we entered the school.</p>
<p>Much has changed concerning school pride since then, and one needs to do no more than come to campus and see the number of students sporting school colors, "Tufts", or images of our mascot to understand the differences. </p>
<p>You are correct, however, with what are less than adequate answers. An effective "Why Tufts" answer indicates a level of awareness concerning what makes Tufts a distinct institution in your mind.</p>
<p>My son applied to Tufts ED, but had started a few other applications just in case. Tufts is definitely not the only school to ask this sort of question. Wanting to know "Why OUR school?" is pretty reasonable, I think, and was part of several other applications he had pending.</p>
<p>The 50-word limit was somewhat difficult to deal with, and I do remember him counting words at the time... don't think it occurred to him that he could go over a bit.</p>
<p>I find it ironic that if you answer the "Why Tufts?" question in 50 words, your answer will be shorter than the actual question, which is 56 words.</p>
<p>We have found that none of the computer applications allow you to go over the number of characters. Spaces are characters as well. Has a tendency to either mess up a good essay or trash the paragraph formatting that you wished to use. Common App has a long way to go.</p>
<p>For answering this question should I flatter their academics or can I take a more personal route. I'd prefer to do the latter. While I know Tufts is an excellent school academically, I have other reasons as well for wanting to attend. I really need to shine in the eyes of these admissions officers. My test scores aren't steller.</p>