Hopeful_Underdog

Hey everyone,
I know Tufts is a reach school for me, but I guess I'm wondering how much of a reach school it is. If I apply early decision 2, what do you all think my chances might be?

ACT- 31 (retaking in a few weeks and expecting a 32)
SAT- 670 CR, 680 M, 720 W, (do not plan to send)
Subject Tests- Hopefully, by application time I'll have at least 2 scores at around 700 to low 700s
GPA- 3.83 out of 4 UW, I've taken all honors and AP (and a few electives)
Rank- 6/215
Essays- I wouldn't say my essays are stellar, but I think they will be fairly solid after I continue to work on them. I don't think they'll get me accepted, but I highly doubt they'll get me rejected.

ECs- My principle EC is horseback riding. I ride 8-10 hours a week, work at a barn 10 hours a week to help pay for riding, compete often, and am involved in an equestrian club. I also hold a few leadership positions in school, and have some leadership through community service, (and LOTS of community service). I play on a sports team at school and have been captain since sophomore year. I'm involved in NHS and founded a club that I'm heavily involved in at school. I'm also a tutor... there's probably more, but I think you get the picture--nothing extraordinary, but I don't think my ECs are substantially below average or anything.



Sooo.... what do you think? Be honest!

WCASParent

It's a reach, but not impossible. If it's your first choice, go ahead and apply ED.
Good luck.

Hopeful_Underdog

Thanks! Anyone else have any input?

momiac

I don't think it's a terrible reach---your boards are a little low but your GPA is excellent and it sounds like you've taken a rigorous course load. And I definitely think ED helps a candidate who's in the academic ballpark. However, work on those essays---I think applicants underestimate the value of essays----it is precisely what can put you over the top---so make sure they reveal you at your sparkling best---by which I mean, not necessarily exquisite writing, but that they show aspects of your curiosity, creativity, humor, empathy, or whatever underlying aspects of your character that will make a college stand up and take notice----things that are not revealed by your stats, which really are so similar to hordes of applicants.

Hopeful_Underdog

Thanks momiac... I'm definitely going to keep working on my essays. What do you mean by my boards? Do you mean my testing?