This week, I got the chance to visit Boston and check out a few of the more than 70 colleges and universities in the city. My first stop:
Tufts University
The green roof atop Tufts’ Tisch Library.
Why is this school awesome?
Olivia: It’s the perfect example of a Tier 1 research university that still has a liberal arts mindset. Students get to explore their academic interests in a truly interdisciplinary way, and 50% of students complete a major + a minor while 60% complete two majors (yes, that does mean there’s 10% with two majors and a minor). But Tufts also has a strong pre-professional and research side, with 87% of students completing an internship before graduating (60% complete two!) and undergrads having access to research opportunities through the graduate schools of medicine, dentistry, engineering, public policy, education, veterinary, and more.
Favorite spot on campus?
Olivia: Two favorites: one, the deck that overlooks the roof of Tisch Library because you get a beautiful view of the Boston skyline in the distance. And two, the Prez Lawn where students hang out and go sledding on snowy days!
The Boston skyline as seen from the deck above Tisch Library.
Our tour guide showed us his favorite places on campus, including the lawn where many students hang out in warm weather or sled (even ski!) in winter.
5 words to describe campus?
Olivia: Hilly, Traditional, Comfortable, Suburban, Welcoming
The "typical student" is...
Olivia: Kind, quirky, politically active, and with lots of diverse academic interests.
International perspective?
Olivia: International students make up about 15% of Tufts’ student body and seem to be well-integrated into the overall community, from what I could tell. They also have a robust study abroad program for international and domestic students alike — over 40% of students study abroad at some point during college!
The Aidekman Arts Center. Art and performance are a big part of life for many Tufts students!
Special programs/offerings applicants should consider?
Olivia: Tufts is probably best known for it’s social science programs like political science and economics, and its preprofessional programs in medicine, veterinary science, biomedical science, etc. However, the arts are also super strong here, especially at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts (SMFA) where students can earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) or a combined degree (BFA + BA/BS) right in the heart of Boston. Free shuttles run between the two campuses regularly every day.
Tips for the application process?
Olivia: Demonstrated interest definitely matters a lot at Tufts. The admission officer who gave the info session probably mentioned it at least three times throughout her presentation. So if you love Tufts, make sure to show them: visit campus, attend virtual sessions, email the admissions office with questions, etc. The ultimate demonstration of your interest would be to apply ED (either in November or January).
However, if you love Tufts but aren’t comfortable committing to ED, they have made a push in recent years to admit more of their class in Regular Decision, which means your RD chances at Tufts are likely better than at many other highly selective universities.
Rumor has it, the cannon points directly at Harvard.
Fun facts?
Olivia: Tufts students can paint the cannon (pictured above) to promote clubs, important political causes, and even marriage proposals! The catch is, you can only paint it at night and then you have to guard it all night to prevent someone else from painting over your work. Prior to a recent restoration, the cannon had over 1,000 coats of paint on it!
Also, I love their mascot! Jumbo the Elephant is supposedly the only college mascot ever to die twice. Read the whole Jumbo story in the Tufts Daily.
Jumbo the Elephant, the beloved Tufts mascot, gets his annual summer bath.
Stay tuned for my thoughts on more colleges. Next up: