<p>I am considering applying to Tufts this fall, although it would be somewhat of a reach. (32 ACT, 3.67 UW gpa). I have heard of the infamous Tufts Syndrome, so if I end up liking this school, I will do my best to show interest and try hard on the essays! </p>
<p>I'm an "intellectual" student, I love reading books about history of any nation, string theory. I am planning to major in engineering, likely chemical or biological. I do not like the idea of Greek life. I don't like "big city" atmosphere very much - but while Tufts is in Boston, I'd assume it would have more historical and cultural activities. I'm not a big partier.</p>
<p>Does it sound like, based off of what I have told you, would Tufts be a place worth for me to apply? I won't have an opportunity to visit the school itself - too far from Missouri.</p>
<p>Tufts syndrome is just a sour grapes term for holistic admission results. Tufts might accept a student with great essays and ECs over a student with stratospheric scores and GPA. Admissions focuses on fit, therefore students with higher stats may get rejected while their lower stat classmate who wrote tremendous essays and fits the Tufts vibe does get in. </p>
<p>Tufts is a great school for engineers who have interests beyond engineering and want the opportunity to take classes and participate in activities that are non-techy. Greek life exists for those who want it, but it is a small part of campus life and there are many, many other things to do beyond the frat parties.</p>
<p>Tufts is in an urban setting, but it is more residential neighborhood urban than downtown urban. Think Brooklyn vs Manhattan. Davis Square is the commercial area next to campus with lots of restaurants, coffee shops and stores. Boston and Cambridge are a short T (subway) ride away. Everyone in Boston rides the T, it is very safe and easy to navigate.</p>
<p>Try to catch Tufts admissions on the road, or read the admissions blogs to get a sense of the spirit of the school.</p>
<p>Thanks for the response. I checked on Tufts’ website for off-campus events, however I can only seem to find off-campus events for their Graduate school of International affairs…</p>
<p>However, that characterizes just what I am looking for: " great school for engineers who have interests beyond engineering and want the opportunity to take classes and participate in activities that are non-techy" I love foreign languages and history. The biggest thing for me about Greek life is that I can avoid it. Ignorance is bliss, of course, but as long as its not in my face! </p>
<p>Is Tufts similar to U Chicago in any aspects? I love the U Chicago atmosphere - however I can’t really seriously consider that school, they don’t have engineering and there’s no way I’m getting in.</p>
<p>Also, out of curiosity - how did “Tufts Syndrome” arise as a ‘thing’ in specific correlation to Tufts? On their common data set, it says they don’t care at all about demonstrated interest, why do people say it’s so important at Tufts???</p>
<p>I think it could be a great school for you. Another place a bit easier on the admissions spectrum is URochester. </p>
<p>Both are serious academic places and not too much greek. Neither have big city feels. Tufts does not feel like big city especially compared to UChicago or NYU. Tufts is in a really nice neighborhood and Boston/Cambridge/Somerville/Medford is a really nice place to spend your college years. </p>
<p>Tufts hasn’t actually practiced Tufts Syndrome lately, but like many schools, they want to understand why you want to attend there and what about it appeals to you. The admissions officers are real people and if they understand the source of your desire to attend they can often be more supportive and forgiving of small blemishes to your record and can advocate for you. It’s not just about the yield. They really want to admit people who really want to go there. </p>
<p>Another thing they emphasize about their engineering is a “Global Perspective”. I saw a presentation of their engineering program by AdmissionsDan, who posts on the Tufts board. Until that time I hadn’t really understood the role Tufts engineering played. </p>
<p>Basically, Tufts is less hardcore engineering than many schools and tends to cater to people like yourself who have a broader set of interests. </p>
<p>Right now it doesn’t look like there’s anything definitive scheduled, so I’d suggest e-mailing the Tufts admissions officer responsible for your geographic area and asking if/when they plan to be in your area in the fall. Several years ago when my child was looking there was a compelling presentation “Tufts: Who Gets In and Why?” that the admissions officer put on at a nearby HS.
<a href=“https://tac.admissions.tufts.edu/travel/”>https://tac.admissions.tufts.edu/travel/</a></p>
<p>This isn’t a dig at Rochester, but it’s a fair degree more isolated/less urban than Tufts. UR’s campus is located on the opposite side of the river from the city, and if you don’t have a car leaving campus requires taking a bus; whereas at Tufts you can walk (or ride the Joey) to Davis Square in just a few minutes, and from there jump onto the T if you want to go to Cambridge, Boston, etc…</p>
<p>My D also attended a “Who Gets In and Why?” session. Probably more helpful in an overall college admissions sense than any other info session she attended. And she had been fortunate to attend an on-campus session–led by the amazing AdmissionsDan, an alum himself–which almost single-handedly sold her on Tufts.</p>
<p>Indeed the surrounding community of Medford/ Somerville/ Cambridge/ Boston is a veritable backyard embarrassment-of-riches when it comes to quality of life for a Jumbo. </p>
<p>I agree and that probably explains the difference in admissions rates. I was merely pointing out that at least academically, Rochester is a very high quality peer school with a much less difficult admissions process but with that same laid back yet intellectual feel. I think it meets the OP’s needs. </p>
<p>No question, living in Boston is preferable. At least to me. That’s why I live here. </p>
<p>Thanks for the responses. U-Rochester is actually already on my list. I’ll try to see if I can go to some Tufts program or find out when they’re doing something in my area…</p>
<p>So here is an example of the Tufts syndrome concept. A friend of my DDs got wait listed at Tufts despite almost perfect SAT scores, top of her class at a great public HS, varsity athlete, lots of leadership in ECs. She ended up at Dartmouth, and is very happy there. Probably happier there than she would have been at Tufts, it is a better fit for her. For many years “ivy caliber” kids applied to Tufts as a safety school (after all it is down the road from Harvard and MIT) and got their noses out of joint when they did not get in. The claim was Tufts did not let them in because the school knew they were too good for Tufts and would go to the ivy of their choice anyway so why waste the spot. However, a hard look at Naviance at almost any HS in the country shows that for the most part kids with better stats do get in at a higher rate than kids with lower stats, although stats alone will not get you in.</p>
<p>Tufts is similar to U of C as they both seem to have that nerdy quirky vibe. Both have significant curriculum requirements compared to any colleges. U of C is more science and philosophy kind of nerdy - for example the core curriculum. Tufts is more global citizen artsy kind of nerdy - A&S students have 6 years of language requirements, one of the largest departments is IR, a very large percentage of students do a semester abroad and there are at least 7 a cappella groups, a mime troupe and a campus wide open to all dance troupe.</p>