Yikes! My kid a junior and just beginning the process....

Yikes! My kid a junior and just beginning the process....

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College Discussion Forums: College Search and Selection: April 2003 Archive: Yikes! My kid a junior and just beginning the process....

By Jjsmom (Jjsmom) on Friday, April 18, 2003 - 10:47 pm: Edit

Reading these message boards has been a HUGE eye opener. Things have apparently changed so much (and for the worse!) since I was my son's age. Schools that I would have thought would be a "reasonable reach" are apparently out of his league.

OK... this week, my son and his dad will making some campus visits, and I'm wondering if the schools we've chosen to check out are not worth the price of gas it will take to get there.

First, his stats:

Northern New Jersey public school Junior.

Will be taking the SATs in June, got 1320 (660/660) on PSATs, but hadn't prepared. He's taking an online self study course now.

Taking all honors/AP classes. Has an unweighted 4.0 so far. Will be taking two more AP classes senior year. Taking AP and SAT II exams soon.. Chem, History, Math. Expects to do well in Chem and History, not sure about Math.

According to his guidance counselor, is in Top 5% of his class so far. (Of 350 kids, he's about #10)

Is an accomplished musician, has studied sax for 8 years, has been selected for all the elite bands in school since freshman year (Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Pit Orchestra), and has participated (and LOVED) marching band as well. He's competed for county and state bands, hasn't won, but was in the top 25%.

EC include varsity debate since a freshman, and was a judge for some of the debate meets this year, which he enjoyed; Chemistry League, (he's personally ranked #16 in the state) intermural street hockey (was an All-Star this year and will probably be Captain next year), is in NHS. Volunteering/community service limited to tutoring as part of NHS requirements.

Looks like he'll be interning in a lab at Columbia-Presbyterian this summer, still waiting for confirmation on that tho.

All around "good guy," well liked by peers, teachers, guidance counselor.

Legacy-wise, Dad went to Boston University, Mom (me) went to University of Michigan.

We'd like him to go to school within a 6 hour driving radius of Northern NJ. So...

His first choice, a reach, is Tufts. He's also considering applying to Columbia just for the hell of it.

What we thought were reasonable "best match schools" are looking more and more like reach schools. This is the list we were working on:

NYU
BU
GW
Bucknell
Dickinson
Vassar
Lafayette
Lehigh

Safeties:
Rutgers (he visited and hated it!)
U of Maryland - College Park
U of Delaware
UConn

My impression is that he'd have to really raise his SATs, yes? Can anyone suggest other safety schools other than the state schools we've generated? I have no problem with state schools, I'm just wondering if there are other schools we're just missing.

THANKS a million! What a great site!

By Breeze (Breeze) on Friday, April 18, 2003 - 10:59 pm: Edit

Jjsmom,

Tufts is not that much of a reach! I know kids at Penn who applied Early Decision and got in with your son's stats. If he raised his SAT to say 1370+, his 4.0 UW would look very good.

I recommend he apply to a school even better than Tufts early decision, such as Penn, Cornell, U. of Virginia, U. of Michigan, or Johns Hopkins. He may just get in to whichever of those he likes best! He's legacy at UMich, right... even better!

Never underestimate the value of a 4.0 if he took challenging classes. UVa considers legacies with in-state students. If UMich has a similar policy (ask exactly how they treat that) then I'd say he's a shoe-in to be a Wolverine with that shiny 4.0 and a 1330 on his application.

By Failure (Failure) on Saturday, April 19, 2003 - 12:22 am: Edit

At first I thought you were looking at schools like Harvard and MIT, in which case your son may have difficulty getting into. But with his stats, I don't believe your son will have any difficulty getting accepted to any of the schools you've listed, including Tufts, although Columbia may pose a problem...

By Jenniferpa (Jenniferpa) on Saturday, April 19, 2003 - 02:35 am: Edit

Just one word of warning. You say he visit Rutgers and hated it? It's not a safety school then. How safe can you consider a school he would hate to attend? Make sure a safety is a school that he's reasonably certain to be accepted to, AND is one he's willing to attend.

By Ctmom (Ctmom) on Saturday, April 19, 2003 - 08:13 am: Edit

If you're looking at Dickenson, how about Gettysburg and Franklin & Marshall? - they are all in the same area. They would be good safeties and G and FM would give $$ to someone with your son's stats.
I agree with the above P about Rutgers - if he hates it why waste the time and $$ on an application? It just confuses things.

By Jjsmom (Jjsmom) on Saturday, April 19, 2003 - 02:06 pm: Edit

Thanks so much for all of your rapid and informative responses!

To Breeze who said: "Tufts is not that much of a reach! I know kids at Penn who applied Early Decision and got in with your son's stats. If he raised his SAT to say 1370+, his 4.0 UW would look very good...I recommend he apply to a school even better than Tufts early decision, such as Penn, Cornell, U. of Virginia, U. of Michigan, or Johns Hopkins. He may just get in to whichever of those he likes best! He's legacy at UMich, right... even better! Never underestimate the value of a 4.0 if he took challenging classes. UVa considers legacies with in-state students. If UMich has a similar policy (ask exactly how they treat that) then I'd say he's a shoe-in to be a Wolverine with that shiny 4.0 and a 1330 on his application."

Thanks for this advice! By the numbers, yeah, my son does indeed have a decent chance for Tufts, but what concerns me is that there seem to be so many nebulous variables, e.g. what if there is a deluge of applicants with his "special talent" (which is sax), or if there is competition from the Ivy Bound brainy kids from our high school who apply there as a safety school? I was thinking applying ED would improve my son's chances, and could possibly make the difference. This is his #1, "I reeeeeeeeally wanna go to school there" college. He's been to Beantown, felt truly at home there, and there are tons of jazz performances, classical music concerts, and such, that he would love to attend. You just can't get that in a small town. Also, he feels that Tufts is just the right size for him. He's thinking Chemistry as a major, perhaps pre-medicine, and the academic opportunities at Tufts, with their medical and dental schools, and the intellectual opportunities for science in Boston in general, are terrific.

I'm concerned that applying ED to the "better schools" you suggest -- Penn, Cornell, U. of Virginia, U. of Michigan, or Johns Hopkins -- could be a waste his ED option, as I really don't think he has the SATs for those schools. Michigan would indeed be a fantastic school for him. I know he'd love Ann Arbor as much as I did, but it is TOO FAR AWAY! I remember Thanksgiving evening, crying over a barely warm open turkey sandwich and gravy on a tray. The campus was pretty much deserted except for a few out of staters who like me couldn't afford to fly home then as well as for Christmas break. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.

To Failure, who said: "At first I thought you were looking at schools like Harvard and MIT, in which case your son may have difficulty getting into. But with his stats, I don't believe your son will have any difficulty getting accepted to any of the schools you've listed, including Tufts, although Columbia may pose a problem."

Yeah, Columbia is a long shot and we're not sure it's worth even sending in our application fee. But thanks for the words of support regarding Tufts and the other schools. Verrrrry good to read

To Jenniferpa, who cautioned, "Just one word of warning. You say he visit Rutgers and hated it? It's not a safety school then. How safe can you consider a school he would hate to attend? Make sure a safety is a school that he's reasonably certain to be accepted to, AND is one he's willing to attend."

Good point!!! Thanks! We'll see if we can generate one or two other safety schools. I was thinking, because he's so into Boston, perhaps Northeastern?

To Ctmom who suggested: "If you're looking at Dickenson, how about Gettysburg and Franklin & Marshall? - they are all in the same area. They would be good safeties and G and FM would give $$ to someone with your son's stats."

Thanks!!!!!! Will definitely do some research into these two! I'll suggest to my husband and son that they give them a visit this week too! Could be the safety schools he falls in love with!

By Soozievt (Soozievt) on Saturday, April 19, 2003 - 05:36 pm: Edit

Hi, I am a parent of a junior as well. Your son has a fine record it seems. I think the schools on his list are all reasonable ones for him....target for the most part. A few seem like they could even be safeties perhaps...Dickinson or Bucknell. He surely should apply to Tufts. Some here seem to imply that Tufts would not be so hard to get into. I differ in that opinion. I am an alumni of Tufts (as is my husband in chemistry, btw) and I have been interviewing prospective applicants from my area for many years. I continue to be amazed and shocked at how hard it has become to get in there. All seven kids I interviewed this year got rejected and all five I interviewed last year got rejected. Some were valedictorians, some were salutatorians, one was a legacy even! It surely scares me! My own daughter will be applying there as well cause she liked it alot when we visited. Tufts is certainly in the right range for your son but it is hard to say how admissions will go...seems very unpredicatable at these top level schools.

From what you have shared, since this is clearly his first choice school, I would suggest he apply ED.....it increases his chances some and he truly wants to go there. My daughter may apply someplace ED or EA as well if she chooses a first choice. I agree with the others here that your son should not apply to Rutgers if he hated it upon visiting. I think it is crucial that he likes each school he applies to, safeties included, cause he could end up there. My child likes each school on her list...safeties included. Lehigh is one of her safeties....saw it on your list....recently visited.

I hope your son gets into Tufts. I LOVED Tufts. Now that I recently went back as a parent of a prospective applicant, I can see why I liked it then cause it still attracts me now (though I am not the one going now!). If I can help you in any way, just ask.
Susan

By Jjsmom (Jjsmom) on Saturday, April 19, 2003 - 06:22 pm: Edit

Susan shares:
"I have been interviewing prospective applicants from my area for many years. I continue to be amazed and shocked at how hard it has become to get in there. All seven kids I interviewed this year got rejected and all five I interviewed last year got rejected. Some were valedictorians, some were salutatorians, one was a legacy even! It surely scares me!"

Hi Susan, and thank you for your candor, and this scares me also. Sometimes the admissions game is lost for reasons we just can't understand. That's why I'm working on helping my son develop an acceptable Plan B in case Plan A (Tufts) falls apart.

Just curious: Did any of your interviewees apply ED? Would you characterize them as "well rounded" vs. "specially skilled/talented"? Were their SATs in the ballpark? Any gut feelings why they were rejected? And did you find out where they were accepted and where they chose to attend college?

Thank you so much!

By Breeze (Breeze) on Saturday, April 19, 2003 - 06:42 pm: Edit

Jjsmom, hearing more about your son and his preferences, I say DEFINITELY apply to Tufts early decision. I think he has a great chance if he applies early. Tufts loves to improve its yield, sharing many applicants with Harvard and the like. I have a feeling Early Decision candidates are looked upon most favorably. While Tufts Regular Decision acceptance rate is likely around 16-17 percent, its Early Decision acceptance rate is 45 percent. Both combined this year was 22 percent.

Here's a link comparing the ED rates:
Early Decision rates across the US

Best advice: spend A LOT of time on his Tufts Early Decision application. Make sure it is error-free, clear, and concise. If there is any potential negative you can think of, make sure it is "explained away" and turned into a positive.

By Marwanzeibak (Marwanzeibak) on Saturday, April 19, 2003 - 07:45 pm: Edit

Jjsmom, your son has very good scores, grades, and ecs. I believe that if he can raise his SAT scores into "Ivy League range" he will have an excellent chance at a top 15 school. My advice is this: Tufts has two early decision rounds, so apply to an Ivy early decision with the regular Nov. 1 deadline. If he doesnt get in, apply to Tufts under the second early decision round.

By Redbeard (Redbeard) on Saturday, April 19, 2003 - 09:52 pm: Edit

Jjsmom, some other thoughts to add to the great ideas here. I can't judge the odds on Tufts, sorry.

Find a school your son likes that offers rolling admissions and apply BEFORE you submit the ED application. Then you'll have a "safety" in your back pocket in case the news is bad. Purdue, for example, begins accepting applications on Sept 1st.

Also, get to work on the other applications before the December ED is issued. We found that, once rejected ED, we needed to scramble to get essays written, transcripts sent, letters of recommendation written, etc. You don't have to submit the application until you hear from Tufts, but get it staged. Assume you won't get in--this prevents a huge scramble right during Christmas.

I share your son's love for Boston, where I spent the first 17 yrs of my life. As great as it is, however, there are many other places where your son can enjoy jazz bands, classical music concerts, and a broad musical culture. My son has similar interests, and we found ourselves compromising. Most schools have performance opportunities, even for chem majors. By the way, does Tufts have a marching band? I doubt he would be happy at Northeastern. Not that it's a bad school, but that it has a vocational feel to it--steeped as it is in a large coop program. Your son sounds like a scientist.

Finally, the major in chemistry. My own major. It may not get him into med school. Med school is devilishly difficult to get into, and I've already questioned the outlook of an MD on this board. That said, a chemistry degree can take you far beyond the laboratory. It's amazing how many things in life relate back to chemistry.

Best of luck, and I'm sure you'll keep us posted!

By Ariesathena (Ariesathena) on Saturday, April 19, 2003 - 10:14 pm: Edit

Hi Jjsmom! I'm a current Tufts senior. First of all, Susan is right about it being quite difficult to get in. With a 22% acceptance rate, and about 1/2 of valedictorians being rejected, it's not easy.

Now, here's how your son can really help his chances of getting in: Tufts loves students with extracurriculars, especially if they are over a long period of time. The two other girls from my high school who got in did horseback riding and dance for years; I ran track from freshman year onwards. The people who were rejected had similar GPAs and SATs, but only did token ECs for a year or two. He should submit a more detailed resume of his accomplishments along with his essays. Another point: Tufts allows you to submit two essays... submit them both! Oddly enough, of the very small number of people I talked to, it seemed to be a deciding factor. They are short, and he can write the second about anything. It shows that you are interested in the school and willing to put some effort into getting in, along with giving the admissions committee yet another chance to see what kind of person you are. Your son's PSAT scores are right around the bottom 25% of admitted students this year, but that often doesn't matter much to Tufts. If he can get them up even a little, it will not be an issue. His class rank will help him out, and the ECs show that he isn't a complete nerd with nothing else to do but study, so that'll help a lot. Applying on of the two EDs will help, again, it shows that he is really interested. Tufts does try to build a class, so if he applies early, they won't have their share of sax players already.

About Ivy Leagues in relation to Tufts: if he's pre-med, Tufts is one of the best schools he can go to, so don't worry about a "better" one. Also, there is certainly the issue of happiness. Almost everyone I know at Tufts (and many alums) love it here. I understand the "it is the school I really really wanna go to" mentality - Tufts is great! If your son goes, he will get an amazing education (esp. in the sciences), have professors who help him out, and he'll meet a lot of wonderful people. To quote a woman who was a sophomore when I was a high school senior: "The best thing about Tufts is the people." Even with the stellar education, that's very true. In my (biased) opinion, there isn't much of a better way to spend four years of one's life than at Tufts.

For safety (or probable) schools in Boston, look into Brandeis (good pre-med program) or BC. Massachusetts does have some 250 schools, so finding a safety among them shouldn't be hard. Tufts is great because it's right near the T (our subway system); Northeastern and BU are as well.

Good luck to your son!

By Jjsmom (Jjsmom) on Saturday, April 19, 2003 - 10:38 pm: Edit

Hi, and thanks AGAIN to all who took the time to respond! Some unbelievably top notch advice here!

I looked into whether there is a marching band at Tufts, and there's only a "Pep Band." Oh well. There is a wind ensemble, and I wonder if non-music majors can audition. I'll have my kid look into this during his visit this coming week.

To Aries, the Tufts senior: My son has been studying sax for 8 years, and it is his joy and passion. He's been involved in Varsity Debate since freshman year (one of the few freshman to make varsity). Do you think these two are enough to set him apart?

Also, regarding essays: He's already trying to find a hook. He feels he should talk about music being his refuge, etc etc. I think that may sound lame, but it *is* what he's passionate about, he *does* escape the stresses of academics through music, and he's made most of his friends through music. Any thoughts?

I feel so lucky to have found this forum, and that so many of you have taken the time to share your insights, experiences and advice. Thanks again!!!

By Soozievt (Soozievt) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 07:28 pm: Edit

Jjsmom.....

You are getting some excellent responses here. I am glad a current Tufts student responded as well.

A couple things...
One is...my hubby majored in chemistry at Tufts. He then went on to graduate school for optometry. Chemistry can lead to several fields.

Secondly, my junior daughter is also a musician but does not plan to major in music. At Tufts and the other institutions she is thinking of applying, you definitely do NOT have to be a music major to play in the various bands/ensembles and the like. I know she is planning to keep up with music in college as she has done it her whole life. There will be many students like that at these colleges...who were very active in music in high school (and younger) but do not plan careers in this field. I am sure he can continue with it at Tufts.

To answer your questions about the kids I interviewed.....For one thing, I have NO IDEA why certain students got in or did not. I am never told anything but "deny or admit". So, I have no idea the stuff behind the decision making on these kids. I have interviewed students for Tufts for about ten years now. Usually, the majority always amaze me as outstanding students. I am not privy to their SAT scores however. I am not given any stats on them from the college. I do ask a ton of questions and get to know them pretty well after a 90 min. chat on all sorts of stuff, but the interview is not meant to replicate the application, so I never ask their SAT scores. The school has that info. But the SAT data for Tufts is available in all the college guides and Tufts own bulletins for a guideline for you. I find that each kid has often taken the hardest schedules available...appear to be top students....a couple have been valedictorians or second in their class. Most are active well beyond the classroom....athletics, performing arts, student government, indep. research, etc. etc. Many are leader types. Many seem just like my own daughter (that's what is scary....when they do not get in!!!). I have had kids who knew what they wanted to major in and had done quite a bit in that field already. I had one girl this year who moved from Sao Paolo Brazil in tenth grade to rural VT...very interesting girl....thought ideal for Tufts...not get in. I have had excellent ski racers not get in. You name it. I usually do not find out where they end up going. But here is just a clue....at one interview this year, I was interviewing a girl who was salutatorian in her class (sister is at Yale) in a very small rural high school and I had interviewed the valedictorian from her school last year and told her so and how I was shocked he did not get in (excelled in sports too!) and she told me, don't worry, he went to Brown! Aha...and so it goes...no rhyme or reason that is apparent....it is a crap shoot at these more elite schools!

As far as the well rounded vs. passion in one thing issue......I cannot tell you Tufts stand on this exactly (though when I ask about extracurriculars, we discuss the students' involvement in those areas, etc.)....but here is my personal view.....It used to be you would hear that it was really good to be well rounded. Lately now all I read about (in articles and forums) is that college admissions seem to want kids who have a deep passion and committment to one area. My own daughter who is a junior, I feel, fits in the middle of these two outlooks. She is very well rounded....she is heavily involved in several areas of performing arts (dance, two instruments, band, wind ensemble, jazz band, musical theater), three varsity sports, student government, and other areas. I personally like that she is well rounded and still seems to excel in each of these areas. She has never narrowed it to just one thing. To be the very top kid in any of these areas, say on a national level or some such, she would surely have had to focus on just one of these areas. She has chosen not to. She has excelled on a state level in each one but could never really go further unless she did just one thing intensely 12 mos. per year I think. Anyway, the reason I feel she fits in the middle of these two outlooks (well rounded vs. one passionate committment) is that while she is well rounded, she has a huge committment to each of these areas....she did not accrue ECs for the sake of college admissions....rather she has been involved in each of these performing arts areas and each of these sports from a very young age. So, her committment is quite passionate and intense in years and time/year. She just does a lot. So, while well rounded and not just focused on just one area, she still has such strong committments over time to these areas. Will they like that? I have no idea. Just sharing. I have met with students like her who do not get in. On the other hand, some do !

Yes, ED has advantages at all of these schools. I have a feeling my daughter will pick a first choice for ED or EA cause it does increase the chances. I do remember a valedictorian two years ago who got in ED at Tufts that I interviewed. So, there is hope! I think my daughter also will be valedictorian, but I am finding that is NO guarantee AT ALL these days....though you would used to think so!

Make sure he goes for Tufts. Try ED....the odds are better and he does want to go there. Do not get too too caught up on stats....these forums tend to do that. People will say, oh, your SATs are only such and such...go to community college!~ Well, yes, it helps if your SATs are in the right range for the school you apply to, but most kids are and so it is stuff beyond that that shows who you are.....ECs, essays, what not. A girl we know is a freshman at Yale, got in EA....she told us her SATs were in the 1200s....she is an outstanding person in many areas....so stats are not the end all and be all. In music, it would help maybe if next year your son makes all states, or something along these lines to show some form of achievement in one of his ECs. My daughter has been in regionals and all states for music each year, have no idea if that helps but explaining achievements your child has garnered is one thing that comes up in the interview. You talked about captain of a team, stuff like that looks nice. I have no idea what turns the corner but the child has to show committment and how he has excelled at stuff.

One thing I can tell you from interviewing kids.....while this seems unfair, some kids just come across well in an interview and some do not. Both types are likely just as good on paper. But clearly the student who can talk readily about questions posed and also pose questions about the college and stuff like that....comes across better in an interview. I always clarify in my report if the child is super but just did not have that much to say in the discussion but that is not a refelction of his/her abilities. But clearly kids who are comfortable with themselves who know how to sell themselves look better to me. For instance, at the end of the interview, after asking numerous questions, I always ask them if there is anything they wish for me to tell the admissions committee on their behalf. I cannot tell you how many kids say nothing to add. Here is a chance to tell them anything! That never looks good to me. Also at the end, they can ask me anything about Tufts. Some ask nothing, and some just ask if I liked it when I went (umpteen years ago!). To me, if you are so interested in the school, ask specifics. I know when we visit schools, my daughter asks lots of stuff based on what she has read about the college beforehand. So, practice interviews with your kid next year!

Kids on paper often look equally qualified. Something must set them apart...so use the essays, interviews, recommendations and stuff like that to accomplish letting them know him as a person.

I think he has as good a chance as anyone. But find many schools he likes!
Susan

By Soozievt (Soozievt) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 07:32 pm: Edit

By Manuelo (Manuelo) on Tuesday, April 22, 2003 - 03:01 pm: Edit

To Jjs Mom -- I am a mom of a senior who was luckily accepted at his ED school, (and he was spared a lot of the anguish that many equally hard-working and deserving students must suffer. You have gotten some great advice on this board about Tufts, and I certainly agree that it is within your son's range and worth taking his very best shot. ED should be used for your dream school, and if that's what Tufts is for him, that's a great place to send in an early decision application.

That being said, I cannot overemphasize how important I think it is to find and develop some really interesting and exciting safeties. There are a lot of great schools out there which would love to have a student as academically talented and diverse as your son. Spend time learning about those schools, visiting them and encouraging your son's interest in them. I have seen many friends of my son this year -- which was the most competitive so far -- feel so disappointed because their reaches and even matches did not work out, and they really did not want to go to their safeties. That just shouldn't be the case. A safety should only be a safety in terms of ease of being accepted; it shouldn't be a "worst case scenario" school.

Anyway, that's my wisdom. best of luck

By Ndhawk (Ndhawk) on Wednesday, April 23, 2003 - 06:49 pm: Edit

He might have a little bit of trouble with NYU although He should be able to get into there. If he gets a 1400 he will get into most of the schools he wants to go to. Boston University is a safety for him.

By Dreamerapg7 (Dreamerapg7) on Wednesday, April 23, 2003 - 10:32 pm: Edit

the best advice i can give to any junior is study study study study for the SAT. it matters more than you think lately.. if i could go back, i would have put more time into that. i had great stats all around but fell short of my dream schools because my SAT didn't break 1400.. and that's how competitive it is now. while it sounds like he can get in to most of the schools you picked out, talk to him about pushing himself to get a good SAT score and then even reaching higher! he has the potential from what i can read and he's got time..

anyways let me take a minute to recommend Boston College.. he fits the SAT profile, class rank profile, and if he's an "all around good guy" and well liked, BC would be great for him! its a first tier school.. plus they have lots of intramurals, a great music department.. and an incredibly good debate team. they also give great financial aid.. of course, im a little biased since im heading there myself, but hey.. ;-)

By Jjsmom (Jjsmom) on Thursday, April 24, 2003 - 08:13 pm: Edit

Hi, I'm back! You are all wonderful for sharing your experiences and insights. Now I'm afraid I need to ask a few more questions.

My son just called me from Boston. He's at Tufts right now, having spent most of the day there. The visit has confirmed that Tufts just feels right and it will be his first choice.

He added that was very surprised how taken he was with BU, which he visited yesterday. He had a nice long talk with the movers and shakers in the music department, who invited him to attend a concert they were putting on that night. He went and was very impressed.

His question was, "Mom, do you think BU is a safety school for me?"

I said, I'm not sure, I'll do a little research. I believe it is a safety for him, but what do you all think?

Re: Brandeis and BC -- he didn't like Brandeis ("I think it may be too Jewish" -- and we're Conservative Jews!) and he found BC "beautiful" but "may be too Catholic." I will find out more when he gets home, but this doesn't sound like him. I wonder if he's just trying narrow down his Boston choices because he still has tons of other schools to visit and may want closure from his Boston trip. He still has the Pennsylvania schools and Washington DC schools to visit.

Thanks again!

By Autodidact (Autodidact) on Thursday, April 24, 2003 - 08:30 pm: Edit

Jjsmom:My daughter's experience at one of her alumni interviews is also something that all kids should be prepared for: an "interviewer" who really won't let them get a word in edgewise, and goes on ad nauseum about their experience or their children and credentials. Practice tactful ways to refocus the interview, and express the student's interest, passions, and enthusiasm while best utilizing "their" interview time.

By Dreamerapg7 (Dreamerapg7) on Friday, April 25, 2003 - 06:48 pm: Edit

id say BU is a safety for him, based on his stats and the kids i know that got into BU this year.. and as for BC being too catholic.. hehe i cant really deny that :-). good luck to your son!

By Lovejoy (Lovejoy) on Friday, April 25, 2003 - 07:43 pm: Edit

"I remember Thanksgiving evening, crying over a barely warm open turkey sandwich and gravy on a tray. The campus was pretty much deserted except for a few out of staters who like me couldn't afford to fly home then as well as for Christmas break. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy."

Seems like you should be able to afford to fly him home first year. One of my fondest memories of Wisconsin was cooking my first turkey with my fellow out of staters (also NJ) and having a grand Alice's Restaurant style party. Boston is nice but AA or Madison is a unique experience.

By Dani2914 (Dani2914) on Wednesday, April 30, 2003 - 08:11 pm: Edit

To the mother of JJ :-) -
I was admitted this year to Tufts University, so maybe I can provide a little insight into how the admissions process/selectivity this year at Tufts was.

A little about me:
I am an American-Polish-Guatemalan citizen (a rare breed, I know) studying at an American school in Sao Paolo, Brazil. I did the full International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma as well as the US & Brazilian high school diplomas. (3 certificates on graduation day!).

I had a 30 on my ACT (w/ very high scores in Reading & Writing - 33 & 34), 790 on my Writing SAT II, 800 on my Spanish (Reading), and 620 on my Math IC SAT II. (No SAT I - I sent my ACT instead)

My grades are all A's and B's, w/ a sporadic C in my IB Physics Standard Level class throughout the last 2 years (all IB courses are 2 years long). The IB diploma requires that the candidate take 3 higher level courses and 3 standard level ones but I chos to take 4 (the maximum allowed): English A1, Spanish A2, Portuguese B, and History. Math Methods & Physics were my SL's. In IB, it is important to note, SL's are 2 years long and very difficult nevertheless. Math Methods, for example, covers the entire AP Calculus syllabus in its 2nd year.

I am editor-in-chief of my school newspaper, I teach English in a slum of Sao Paolo every Sat. morning, am president of the HIV Orphanage Club at my school, am a senior Peer Group Connection (PGC) leader (16 seniors of a class of 80 are selected to lead the freshmen throughout the year in classes, retreats, counseling, etc. - 'role models', definitely). I was in NJHS and am in NHS now, a class rep for Student Council, and am an active member of the Model UN club (we've gone to conferences in Rio de Janeiro, Caracas, & The Hague) I played Varsity Soccer & Basketball the first two years of high school when I lived in Buenos Aires but when I moved to Brazil had to quit b/c I live over an hour away from school. As a result, I involved myself in the above-mentioned activities.

I speak English, Spanish, Portuguese, & French and can understand Polish, Italian, & Romanian.

All right.

I applied ED II to Tufts just b/c I needed more time to think about where I wanted to apply ED--if I wanted to at all. I was really between Georgetown & Tufts b/c of their strong Intl. Rel. undergraduate programs. I decided on Tufts b/c though Georgetown is strong in that area it is divided into 3 schools: Business, Linguistics, & Foreign Service. Though today, at 17 (going on 18 soon), I want to study Intl. Rel. who's to say that in a couple of years I will still want that? I know that I am not interested in Business & Linguistics so I would be kind of stuck. Tufts therefore seemed perfect for me as it has a very strong liberal arts program.

I wrote the 2 essays, knowing that my writing is my strongest point--I plan on going into journalism (or diplomacy) later on in life. I had my interview with a lovely alumna in a city outside Sao Paolo. We had a great interview and knowing how competitive admissions has become at Tufts I think that the great conversation--because that's really what it was, it flowed so well--played a major role in my getting accepted. I told her everything about myself--I've lived in 9 different places, my family, my experiences, my religious confusion (Jewish on one side, Catholic on the other, my mother has Buddhist tendencies)... I talked about what I like & don't like about myself. I was blatantly honest about my faults--I think this is important--the interviewer knows you cannot possibly be perfect; show your HUMAN side. (My biggest faults, I said, was letting go of responsibility--I never feel others can do as good of a job as me, and I have to learn to work in groups better, learning to trust others' abilities, etc. My 2nd was that I procastinate sometimes--assuming I will just be able to do anything b/c I'm smart--I've learned.). I even told her odd things about me--how I have a fascination with the WWII and Balkan Wars and how to people that don't know me they might think I'm 'morbid'--but the truth is I just love trying to understand people who think fighting resolves things. To put it bluntly, she loved me (and I adored her as well--maybe this had something to do with it!).

I went all out on my application. My statement on why I was applying ED was almost a mini-essay in itself and my college counselor at my school told me it was one of the best she's ever read (and she's been a counselor since Vietnam!)--my passion & eagerness to attend Tufts really transmitted well. I included a copy of our school newspaper, attached to four photocopied articles from several editions that I felt were my best. I also added my abstract to the IB Extended Essay (a 4000-wd independent study paper required of IB Diploma candidates) because I was really proud of my work. Etc...

I had 3 recommendations in addition to my counselor's--my English & History teacher were the ones I asked to write one for me. My Math teacher for the last 2 years ASKED to write me one which I think helped as well because although mathematics is not my strongest subject, my teacher probably (I didn't read it--I waived my right to see them all which is a MUST!! Credibility!) spoke of how though I wasn't his best student, I tried really hard, always had a positive attitude, etc. It probably helped me more than the other 2 which were written by my teachers in my strongest subjects.

Aspects out of my control which I think helped me:
- B/c of my Guatemalan mother I am considered 'Hispanic'
- International student (Tufts loves 'em!)

However things that your son, JJ, and others can do if they don't have the above advantages:
- ED (only if you're ABSOLUTELY SURE)
- Give a great interview--sell yourself: every part of you the good, the ugly; but obviously explain how you've learned or ARE TRYING TO LEARN from your faults/mistakes--show that you want to improve yourself
- Really work hard on the application
- Do the best they can in the last 2 years
- Take the hardest classes they can but don't do more than you can handle
- Foreign languages!!!!!!!! I had the advantage that at home we speak English & Spanish and I speak Portuguese b/c I live in Brazil. But I also learned French in school & then with a tutor when I moved from Argentina.
- Be honest!

Notice that I had a C in Physics on my report card (though it was a challenging course--a C in a challenging course i.e. AP, IB, Honors is better than an A in a regular class), I dropped sports in the middle of high school (I explained this though), and I had a low math SAT II score (620). Overall, Tufts is looking for the package--people that push themselves to do their best not only in the classroom but in the world.

I can't wait to be in Medford!

By Guru (Guru) on Saturday, August 09, 2003 - 11:37 am: Edit

There was an article about Northeastern in yesterday's Boston Globe. The school is very hot now. Here's a link to the article:

http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/220/business/A_higher_grade+.shtml

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