Tufts ED 1 or Boston College EA?

theNDhopeful44 · 03-13-2012, 11:17 AM

I'm caught between two schools...I really liked them both when I visited and would really like to go to either one- but, because BC is restrictive early action, I need to decide which to apply to early based on which school I have the better shot at getting in at.

STATS:

GPA- 3.85 (4.3)
All AP and honors schedule all of high school.
ACT- 29 (30 superscore for Tufts)
Extra curriculars- President Middle Eastern Political Awareness club, Editor of school newspaper, 4 years Marching, Concert, Jazz band (lead trumpet)
Volunteering- work at Cleveland Clinic Infectious Disease laboratory evaluating various methods of cancer research, student hebrew teacher and other various positions through my synagogue.

The Cleveland Clinic work ties into my essay, as my reasoning for such work in oncology is because of family members that lost their lives to breast cancer.

Which school do I have the better shot at for early?

SlitheyTove · 03-13-2012, 12:32 PM

If you don't love a school above all others, I wouldn't apply ED. Tufts says that they don't give any advantage to applying early, but they don't release stats on their ED acceptances. How about if you apply REA to BC, and then keep the option of ED2 in your back pocket if you don't get accepted to BC?

If you are looking for need-based aid, I'd apply to Tufts RD. Some people are very happy with their FA packages from Tufts, but some aren't. Applying RD would possibly give you some negotiating space if you are accepted to Tufts, but find their FA is a little short.

theNDhopeful44 · 03-13-2012, 01:29 PM

I think you may have misunderstood my question...yes, financial aid will be a major consideration when applying to college, but I was curious as to which college my stats will make me more competitive at.

What do you think?

SlitheyTove · 03-13-2012, 02:34 PM

No idea--I don't do chances, because I'm not an adcom. Your stats seem to be in range, but you should check with your high school's counseling staff to see if others with your GPA and scores and no dramatic hooks (e.g. legacy, recruited athlete) have been accepted at either of those schools before.

I didn't misunderstand your question--I'm giving you extra advice that you didn't ask for at no charge.

Since FinAid is a major consideration for you, and since you are not head-over-heels in love with Tufts, I strongly suggest you not apply there ED1 or 2. I think the world of the school (got a freshman daughter there now), but no undergrad school is worth massive debt.

Vlklngboy11 · 03-13-2012, 03:24 PM

BC early action has no advantage (was told this on the tour at BC and if you are borderline not to apply EA)... Tufts would probably give you an advantage ED and if the financial aid package isn't good enough you can always walk away.

overbrook99 · 03-13-2012, 05:38 PM

Just so you know, BC also superscores.

ArKhAiK · 03-13-2012, 05:43 PM

I was deferred at BC EA with a tad better stats than you.

3.87, 1390, only 2 or 3 non-honors electives, many leadership ECS and dual varsity athlete. screw BC.

bluebayou · 03-13-2012, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Tufts says that they don't give any advantage to applying early, but they don't release stats on their ED acceptances.

That just doesn't pass the smell test. (Not you, ST, but Tuft's claim.) It just flies in the face of reason. Moreover, if it were true, and there was no difference, there would be no reason to NOT publish their ED admissions data.

Searching past issues of the college newspaper, (a great source of info, btw), when Tufts did publish their ED applicants, they were being admitted at a 36% rate. Contrast that with the <30% rate overall total. Since Tufts accepts a third of the class by ED, the RD rate had to have been much lower then.

fwiw: I really like Tufts, but IMO, colleges need to be more transparent, and not less (which Tufts has become).

Momof2sons · 03-13-2012, 08:48 PM

but many ED applicants are recruited athletes and such and it would be unusual for a recruited athlete, with coach support that was reviewed with admissions not to get in...to get that level of support one must apply ED so that will skew the ED stats upward

theNDhopeful44 · 03-13-2012, 08:57 PM

Well yeah, I've heard the whole thing about BC not giving a boost to its candidates. Primarily, my focus is Tufts. My test scores aren't outlandishly superb, but if I write some really good essays and give a good interview, what are my odds?

mhmm · 03-13-2012, 09:20 PM

Noone can give you the odds unless they are an adcom. I don't know how Tufts is regarding fin. aid, but BC is known to be stingy. If aid is needed, it makes no sense whatsoever to waste your E(AorD) on a school that you know in advance won't necessarily make it happen for you.

SlitheyTove · 03-13-2012, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Searching past issues of the college newspaper, (a great source of info, btw)

blue, that is really clever. (removes hat in gesture of respect

).

OP, Tufts admissions really really really stresses the importance of those essays. Do start working on them early, regardless of doing ED or not.

bluebayou · 03-14-2012, 12:29 AM

Thank you, ST.

And you are correct. Essays are HUGE for Tufts.

theNDhopeful44 · 03-31-2012, 04:21 PM

Okay, I've decided Tufts ED 1. I just came back from visiting both and I absolutely fell head over heels for the school, students, etc. Anyone on here get in ED? Are my stats competitive in the least?

wavylays94 · 04-01-2012, 02:58 AM

I don't know about ED, but I got into Tufts RD with a 3.96 and a 2180 SAT