Speaking as someone who attended Tufts, I can attest that there is a Tufts Syndrome and it got amplified once you were actually there. Regarding the question @ AO’s being sensitive to your list or WL’ing or Rejecting very qualified students because they think the school may be a “safety”…a few years ago there were posts about this topic with regard to Loomis. I can tell you that when we went to visit/interview with one school - which we thought would be a great fit - the AO’ was overtly skeptical with us parents & kiddo - I do think she was “onto us” and that this was a “safety”. We ended up not applying to that school because of that interview experience, in large part. Now, after being on CC for a few years, I realize it would not have been the best fit.
FWIW, I spoke recently with an AO who told me he was concerned with “yield” and that they are in tune with sincerity. They are looking at fit also - do you fit?