Wesleyan vs Tufts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Both are great schools.

I cannot reiterate enough, OP, that it is about fit and preference. I would have no problem sending my DC to either school if they met DC's academic needs. They are both good choices.

Most sensible comment in this thread. Others are arguing over differences that somehow make one school "right" and the other "wrong". It's all about the individual fit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My sense is that a Wesleyan draws more students who want to go there as a first choice, while Tufts is often a fallback. That might be just what I've seen at my kids' school over the past few years, so YMMV, but, if others see this as well, I wonder how that affects the atmosphere on campus.

Agree. At DC's school, Tufts is the fallback school.

\+1 The school is known for being the 2nd choice. Their head of admissions (now departing for Dartmouth) is known for instituting the "Tufts Syndrome" which implemented tough admission stats to drive the admission rate way down. That's how their ending up with admit rates <20%. Otherwise, the school is an ordinary NE school. It will be interesting to see how he pumps up Dartmouth's stats as they've fallen out of the top 10 schools (especially given that its an Ivy).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My science/artistic DD toured Wesleyan yesterday and absolutely loved it. It certainly didn't hurt that she was fortunate to also have lunch with three students who talked about everything from academics, food, campus activities, study abroad, and more.

The admissions director addressed the optional test score submission saying "if you are a C student, do not apply. If you are in the bottom half of your class do not apply. We recognize that a strong academic record should not be penalized because of a modest test score. Show us everything else about you." The 'C' student reference was made because of the rigor of the academic work at Wesleyan. I heard the same sentiment echoed at an Ivy at an info session.

My DD has definitely added Wesleyan to her list (and I like it too). Interesting that Wesleyan is compared to Swarthmore in the Fiske Guide, but DD did not get the same positive vibe that she got at Wesleyan.

Wesleyan would be lucky to get someone in the bottom half at Sidwell or TJ. Admissions directors are all about trying to create a brand. Honesty isn't necessarily their strong point.

[Anonymous]

I sincerely hope nobody takes seriously any of the comments that are made on this board about college admissions.

Wesleyan would be lucky to get someone in the bottom half of Sidwell's class? I would love to hear how someone with access to Sidwell's Naviance (if they share it with parents) would respond to that.

Last year Wesleyan admitted 24% of its 9390 applicants. This year, their applications shot up to a record 12,026. If they admit the same number of students as last year, their acceptance rate (not yet announced) will be under 19%.

My son was accepted there this year. He hadn't visited before being accepted and applied on his counselor's recommendation. After touring, it turned out it wasn't for him - they are definitely pushing themselves as the New England SLAC for the arts. I think that's a great niche, and lines up with the current repute of alumni like the composer and star of "Hamilton," the creator of "Mad Men," Michael Bay and Joss Whedon, etc.

To me, Tufts is the most pre-professional SLAC. Not even really a SLAC, more a university, but people still think of it alongside the other NESCAC schools. Again a great niche, if that's what you're looking for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My science/artistic DD toured Wesleyan yesterday and absolutely loved it. It certainly didn't hurt that she was fortunate to also have lunch with three students who talked about everything from academics, food, campus activities, study abroad, and more.

The admissions director addressed the optional test score submission saying "if you are a C student, do not apply. If you are in the bottom half of your class do not apply. We recognize that a strong academic record should not be penalized because of a modest test score. Show us everything else about you." The 'C' student reference was made because of the rigor of the academic work at Wesleyan. I heard the same sentiment echoed at an Ivy at an info session.

My DD has definitely added Wesleyan to her list (and I like it too). Interesting that Wesleyan is compared to Swarthmore in the Fiske Guide, but DD did not get the same positive vibe that she got at Wesleyan.

Wesleyan would be lucky to get someone in the bottom half at Sidwell or TJ. Admissions directors are all about trying to create a brand. Honesty isn't necessarily their strong point.

Actually, Wesleyan is pretty popular at Sidwell, drawing some very bright kids with a wide range of interests -- e.g., theatre types, STEM kids, athletes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My science/artistic DD toured Wesleyan yesterday and absolutely loved it. It certainly didn't hurt that she was fortunate to also have lunch with three students who talked about everything from academics, food, campus activities, study abroad, and more.

The admissions director addressed the optional test score submission saying "if you are a C student, do not apply. If you are in the bottom half of your class do not apply. We recognize that a strong academic record should not be penalized because of a modest test score. Show us everything else about you." The 'C' student reference was made because of the rigor of the academic work at Wesleyan. I heard the same sentiment echoed at an Ivy at an info session.

My DD has definitely added Wesleyan to her list (and I like it too). Interesting that Wesleyan is compared to Swarthmore in the Fiske Guide, but DD did not get the same positive vibe that she got at Wesleyan.

Wesleyan would be lucky to get someone in the bottom half at Sidwell or TJ. Admissions directors are all about trying to create a brand. Honesty isn't necessarily their strong point.

Actually, Wesleyan is pretty popular at Sidwell, drawing some very bright kids with a wide range of interests -- e.g., theatre types, STEM kids, athletes.

+1. The director of 'Hamilton' not only attended Wesleyan but is a Sidwell grad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My science/artistic DD toured Wesleyan yesterday and absolutely loved it. It certainly didn't hurt that she was fortunate to also have lunch with three students who talked about everything from academics, food, campus activities, study abroad, and more.

The admissions director addressed the optional test score submission saying "if you are a C student, do not apply. If you are in the bottom half of your class do not apply. We recognize that a strong academic record should not be penalized because of a modest test score. Show us everything else about you." The 'C' student reference was made because of the rigor of the academic work at Wesleyan. I heard the same sentiment echoed at an Ivy at an info session.

My DD has definitely added Wesleyan to her list (and I like it too). Interesting that Wesleyan is compared to Swarthmore in the Fiske Guide, but DD did not get the same positive vibe that she got at Wesleyan.

Wesleyan would be lucky to get someone in the bottom half at Sidwell or TJ. Admissions directors are all about trying to create a brand. Honesty isn't necessarily their strong point.

Actually, Wesleyan is pretty popular at Sidwell, drawing some very bright kids with a wide range of interests -- e.g., theatre types, STEM kids, athletes.

+1. The director of 'Hamilton' not only attended Wesleyan but is a Sidwell grad.

Both the lead actor and the director came from Wesleyan.

[Anonymous]

I went to Wesleyan in the 90s so it's possible things have changed. At the time, the work was very rigorous and intellectually intense. The students who do well work very hard. I went on to a top law school that was far easier than Wesleyan. Many people went to med school, humanities and other PhD programs, and law school. A lot of teachers too.

It probably wasn't the best fit for me in a lot of ways (and I didn't receive much guidance that would have allowed me to pick a school that was a better fit) but I received an excellent education.

[Anonymous]

Wesleyan has the better reputation nationally I think.

[Anonymous]

wesleyan is better dumbasses

[Anonymous]

Forbes Ranking:
Wesleyan- #37
Tufts- #33

Times/WSJ Ranking:
Tufts- #32
Wesleyan- #46

CollegeFactual:
Tufts- #50
Wesleyan- #64

Niche:
Tufts- #25
Wesleyan- #59

So what makes Wesleyan better, exactly??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:wesleyan is better dumbasses

I love this guy.

[Anonymous]

I've toured both schools with my kid and they are both great schools. My takeaway was that Wes is more arty/intellectual, Tufts more mainstream/pre-professional. But by degrees, not a huge, huge difference between the two.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My science/artistic DD toured Wesleyan yesterday and absolutely loved it. It certainly didn't hurt that she was fortunate to also have lunch with three students who talked about everything from academics, food, campus activities, study abroad, and more.

The admissions director addressed the optional test score submission saying "if you are a C student, do not apply. If you are in the bottom half of your class do not apply. We recognize that a strong academic record should not be penalized because of a modest test score. Show us everything else about you." The 'C' student reference was made because of the rigor of the academic work at Wesleyan. I heard the same sentiment echoed at an Ivy at an info session.

My DD has definitely added Wesleyan to her list (and I like it too). Interesting that Wesleyan is compared to Swarthmore in the Fiske Guide, but DD did not get the same positive vibe that she got at Wesleyan.

Wesleyan would be lucky to get someone in the bottom half at Sidwell or TJ. Admissions directors are all about trying to create a brand. Honesty isn't necessarily their strong point.

Agree. My DD is in a top private and naviance does not lie. Thesehead of admissions are obnoxious.

[Anonymous]

OT, but can someone cite the source that Miranda graduated from Sidwell?