<p>(Yes, I know that I answered that on my application)</p>
<p>I haven't heard from Tufts yet (eeeek), but let's assume I'm accepted just to answer this question...</p>
<p>I applied as a biochemistry major and I thought that Tufts was the right one, but now I'm not so sure. It's because I've been accepted to Wesleyan and UC Berkeley, both of which have exceptional science programs. Wesleyan receives high science funding while one of UC Berkeley's top programs is Molecular Biology/ Biochemistry. I also got into UC Davis and UC San Diego which have killer biology departments, and I'm still waiting to hear from Stanford and Columbia. </p>
<p>How does Tufts compare to the others? What would I get out of Tufts that I wouldn't get from them?</p>
<p>Oooh, it would also help if someone would tell me what the downsides to Tufts (in its entirety) are.</p>
<p>I’ll post a little about myself in case it helps you:</p>
<ul>
<li>Asian female</li>
<li>Lower/Middle middle-class background with immigrant parents</li>
<li>Interest in the sciences</li>
<li>Hobbies include music, visual arts, reading</li>
<li>My high school is relatively small (1200 students) so I’m a little tired of always being around the same group(s) of people</li>
<li>I like and am used to diversity. My high school has about ~40% white, ~33% asian. I hate to say it, but I’m not sure what percentage black and latino students we have, but I see quite a few. We also have many mixed-race students.</li>
<li>I don’t want to be lost in large classes and I don’t want to be over-exposed in tiny discussion classes</li>
<li>I prefer cities and active suburbs to quiet suburbs and rural areas</li>
<li>Not a party person at all. I enjoy sports every now and then but I’m not a big fan…</li>
<li>I want freedom to change majors because I still haven’t decided what I want to do later on in life</li>
</ul>
<p>I’m no expert on the subject, but I would imagine that the curriculum for all the schools you listed above are more or less the same. And since you plan on going to grad school, the “renowned-ness” of your undergrad institution will matter little - hence you won’t be at a disadvantage attending a little-known liberal arts college in Wesleyan versus a well known public institution in UC Berkeley. </p>
<p>As you are from a lower/middle class background, I’d imagine financial aid similar for all schools, so if I were you I’d make my decision based on the type of campus and atmosphere you’d enjoy the most.</p>
<p>Do you want to live near the heart of New York the next 4 years? Would you prefer a small liberal rural arts environment in Wesleyan? A huge 25000 student campus in northern California? A pseudo metro-urban campus near Boston?</p>
<p>the thing i liked most about tufts (if you go, ill see ya next year) were:</p>
<p>-perfect middle ground between campus/ city (I didnt want to go to NYC because it felt too cold and big. Boston really does feel like a really big small town)
-not too big/not too small class size… just perfect
-commitment to full education, not just your major (big thing for me cause i kinda love every subject haha) that would go along with your desire to change majors
-tons of intramurals/actuivites to get involved in (every college has this, but i play basketball and really didnt want to do anything serious)
-tons of “social strata” i.e. whatever degree of social life you want to have you can find there (im a huge party person/ cant wait to see what boston has to offer)
-tons of room to grow out within tufts and within the tons of colleges near it
-amazing food (its like 2nd or something in the nation)
-additionally, they really showed me because i applied ED that because I had shown commitment with them, they were going to reciprocate with FinAid (they made it equal to state school for me, and I live in NY). They showed me that they really care about each student they accept.
if you go, they have a 2 week pre orientation program in the wilderness, where you can make friends even before college starts
-Im sure theres tons more stuff I can think of, ill keep posting hahah…</p>
<p>also, according to wikipedia, a recent survey found that Tufts students were number 7 in the happiest student bodies in the nation. The campus is stunning and its a mere 15 min ride away from my favorite city in the world with infinites possibilities for anything you could ever desire (and no, im in no way affiliated with tufts haha)</p>
<p>@detail: Thank you - those questions were really helpful and got me back on track. @romeboards: Haha, those are some of the reasons why I applied too. What is your imtended major?</p>
<p>school of engineering, god knows what haha. i actually turned down a bunch of offers from equally (ivy) prestigious schools, mainly cause i dont care about name recognition slash didnt want all the pressure those kids have to suffer through from “brand name” U</p>
<p>Sounds like Tufts is a great fit for you and would provide you with an outstanding education in the sciences, too. You will work hard, believe me, but there is a great balance to the school with lots do do! It’s a great size and yes, the food is outstanding!!
And the greatest college city in the world is a mere 20 minutes away.</p>
<p>Speaking from experience (my D is a freshman), the music department is superb. I have attend three or four concerts this year and every group I have heard (Chorale, Chamber Singers and Tufts orchestra) is excellent. Recently, the Chorale performed at Boston Symphony Hall and have a concert with Brown this week. It is a large and very active department and if music is an important part of your extra-curricular activity, you can’t go wrong at Tufts. Oh and they just built the Granoff music building-a gorgeous facilty with an acoustically perfect performance hall. </p>
<p>Also, a chance to have a complete change of scenerey by coming East, might be a wonderful experience for you as well.</p>
<p>Why Tufts? I think you should ask why not Tufts? Haha</p>
<p>Tufts is one of the schools where fun and excellent education go hand to hand. I applied to Tufts just knowing how much I love it (although I know that I am not gonna get in). Tufts is the school where you can be you. You can express your feelings, ideas, thoughts to anyone you want. From what I learned, you can just walk up to the principal and talk to him about any problem, you can tell him what he should do about a certain issue, you can even tell him if you don’t agree with him on a certain issue. </p>
<p>Besides there is always something to do on and off campus. Since it’s just outside of BC, you can just take the subway and take a tour any time.</p>
<p>The food is great, the musical teams are AWESOME, sports-- you can join any sports you want (if you are good at it) except football. You don’t have to be pro-athlete to do that. </p>
<p>Professors-- I think it’s the only school where I saw professors care about the students. If you have any problem, just go to your professor and he/she will help you out. It’s hardly seen among the professors of other colleges. The dorms are great. I heard the parties kick butt (although I am not a party person that much) </p>
<p>Pretty much Tufts is THE school where you can learn, grow and have fun at the same time. </p>
<p>TUFTS ROCKS. (<strong>sigh</strong> can’t go there. I will try to transfer there)</p>
<p>There is at least one thing in your post that’s not true…
The dorms definitely can’t be classified as “great”. There certainly are some good ones, and even one or two that might be “great,” but on the whole I feel like our dorms are fairly mediocre compared to dorms at other schools.</p>