Is Tufts underrated?

[Anonymous]

Is Tufts underrated in ranking?

"On U.S. News rankings for instance, Tufts is #36, supposedly on par with UIUC. But for an “elite” school with a \~ 10% acceptance rate, shouldn’t it be higher? I like Tufts but I’m trying to decide if it’s the right fit for me. I plan on majoring in mechanical engineering and have a high SAT score and GPA, well within range for even T5 schools. Although Tufts seems good, it’s not ranked very high in comparison to other schools within reach. I suppose the prestige aspect also comes into play since I’m a naive little high schooler and want to fuel my ego by getting into a highly ranked school.

I don’t mean to bash Tufts at all in this post, I really do like it; it seems like it should rank way higher, and I’m curious if this ranking is due to a flawed ranking method or simply just how it is? "

[Anonymous]

It would need to increase its endowment a ton to rise.

[Anonymous]

I think it’s underrated, and wonder if it’s tied to when USNews changed methodology to weight social mobility more heavily several years ago. I think it was T30 or T25 before that, which seems more in line with academic reputation & results.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s underrated, and wonder if it’s tied to when USNews changed methodology to weight social mobility more heavily several years ago. I think it was T30 or T25 before that, which seems more in line with academic reputation & results.

Its highest ranks was 27 so about USC level

[Anonymous]

For mechanical engineering, I'd think a school such as, say, Lafayette would be stronger.

[Anonymous]

I think it’s rated right where it should be. I would not go there for mechanical engineering. Why would you even consider it?

[Anonymous]

Overrated

[Anonymous]

Like IQ for school rankings there is a sweet spot somewhere below the top 25.

If you understand Spearman's law of diminishing returns for IQ it also in many ways works for college rankings.

[Anonymous]

It’s slightly overrated. I’d put it closer to 50.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It would need to increase its endowment a ton to rise.

What does the endowment actually do for you as an undergraduate? It doesn’t necessarily mean you will get merit aid.

[Anonymous]

Any reason you framed the majority of your post as a quotation?

[Anonymous]

No

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any reason you framed the majority of your post as a quotation?

It's taken from a post on the Tufts subreddit. (Not OP)

[Anonymous]

Agree overrated with no school spirit. Seen better days.

[Anonymous]

Its overrated.