tufts transfer essay

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Current tufts students, inside admissions, updated tufts short answer prompts.

We are excited to announce our short answer prompts for the 2023-2024 application cycle. 

These prompts are designed to provide undergraduate first-year and transfer applicants with opportunities to share with our Admissions Committee context about your lived experiences, the ideas and passions that excite you, and the ways in which you have shaped your communities. Alongside the personal statement essay, a few Tufts-specific questions available in the application, and the myriad components of each application, responses to these short answer prompts will contribute to our Admissions Committee’s understanding of each student’s achievements, aspirations, and potential contributions to the Tufts University community. 

Here are the short answer prompts for undergraduate applicants during the 2023-2024 admissions cycle: 

Applicants to the School of Arts & Sciences and the School of Engineering:

Please respond to one of the following three prompts in 200-250 words:

• It’s cool to love learning. What excites your intellectual curiosity and why? 
• How have the environments or experiences of your upbringing – your family, home, neighborhood, or community – shaped the person you are today?
• Using a specific example or two, tell us about a way that you contributed to building a collaborative and/or inclusive community.

Applicants to the School of the Museum of Fine Arts (SMFA) at Tufts:

Please respond to the following prompt in 200-250 words:

• Art has the power to disrupt our preconceptions, shape public discourse, and imagine new ways of being in the world. What are the ideas you’d like to explore in your work?   

In addition, we will ask all applicants to complete this sentence in 100 words or less:

“I am applying to Tufts because…” 

The Common Application and Coalition Application will be updated on August 1 with these prompts. Tufts also accepts the QuestBridge application. We consider each application equally and have no preference among them. We will review applications across two rounds of Early Decision, Regular Decision, and Transfer Admission for students seeking to begin study at Tufts in the Fall of 2024.

As you begin to plan for the upcoming application cycle, know that we are here to help! We encourage you to learn more about the Tufts admissions process by exploring the admissions website , reading Jumbo Magazine or our student blogs , and following us on Instagram.

We hope this early notice of our short answer prompts gives you some additional time to develop your application. We also hope that you are somewhere enjoying the sunshine on the first official day of summer. 

Sincerely, Chase Weldon

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 3 key tips for writing successful tufts supplemental essays.

College Essays

Tufts University has a selective acceptance rate— less than 10% in 2022 . You'll need a strong application to stand out from other applicants, including stellar essays. Luckily, this guide is here to help you out!

In this blog post, we'll cover everything you need to know about the writing portion of Tufts University's application, including what prompts are available and how to answer them.

Feature Image: Jellymuffin40 /Wikimedia Commons

If you want to study at Tufts' Ginn Library, you'll need strong essays. Nurcamp /Wikimedia Commons.

What Should You Know About the Tufts University Essays?

Tufts University uses either the Common or Coalition Application, so choose the one that works best for you . Each one has unique essays, so be sure you follow the correct prompt for whichever application you're using.

Both applications have their own writing sections that you'll need to respond to. These essays are more general than the Tufts essays, but it's still important to follow guidelines and aim to impress with them . They're part of your application, and deserve your best effort! The Common Application has one set of prompts to choose from and the Coalition Application has another , so do some reading ahead of time to plan for which one you'll answer if you need to fill out both applications for different schools.

What Prompts Does the Tufts University Application Have?

Tufts University requires you to apply to a specific school within the university during your application. This shouldn't be a problem if you already know what major you'll be applying to, and Tufts recommends not applying as undecided .

The application should give you the correct set of prompts for whichever school you apply to, but you can also check on Tuft's website .

If you're applying to the School of Arts and Sciences, School of Engineering, or 5-year Tufts/NEC combined degree, you'll have two essays. One is a classic "Why Tufts?" essay with a Tufts-specific twist, and the second prompt allows you to make your choice of two options.

For applicants to the BFA or 5-year BFA+BA/BS combined degree program, you'll also have two prompts. The first is, again, a classic "Why Tufts?" essay question, while the other asks you to to respond to one of three questions. 

What Are the Tufts University Prompts?

Because the prompts vary between different schools, there's a lot of information to cover for how to write the ideal Tufts essay. But Tufts does provide some helpful advice —"Think outside the box as you answer the following questions. Take a risk and go somewhere unexpected. Be serious if the moment calls for it, but feel comfortable being playful if that suits you, too."

In short, be yourself . Tufts doesn't just want to hear your academic qualifications, nor do they want to hear their qualifications as a good school recited to them—they already know!

For School of Arts and Sciences, School of Engineering, and Tufts/NEC Degree Applicants:

You have two essays to write for this section. Both are required, but the second prompt offers you three potential choices.

Prompt #1: The "Why Tufts?" Essay

The first prompt, which you have 100 to 150 words to answer, reads:

Which aspects of the Tufts undergraduate experience prompt your application? In short, "Why Tufts?"

This is a pretty straightforward question—it's a version of the popular "Why This College?" essay . You wouldn't be applying to Tufts if you didn't already know that you wanted to go there, right? But always be aware that every other student applying to Tufts also knows that it's a good school. You can't just list qualifications back them; you have to dive a little deeper than that.

Tufts wants to know here is not just what attracts you to the college, but also what you'll bring to it . Let your enthusiasm and fresh ideas shine!

Having said that, a great essay is going to show admissions counselors that you've done your research. Be sure you point to specific parts of the "Tufts undergraduate experience" in your writing! For example, maybe there's a specific professor you want to work with, or a unique program that only Tufts offers that's a great fit for you. The more specific you are, the more you'll show admissions counselors that you're serious about becoming a student at Tufts.

Prompt #2: The Free Choice Essay

The second prompt is a little more complex. It also has a word count of 200 to 250, but includes three options you must choose from:

Now we'd like to know a little more about you. Please respond to one of the following three questions.

A) It's cool to love learning. What excites your intellectual curiosity?

B) How have the environments or experiences of your upbringing – your family, home, neighborhood, or community – shaped the person you are today?

C) Where are you on your journey of engaging with or fighting for social justice?

These three prompts are a great way to tell the admissions office more about yourself, particularly if you have extracurricular interests that you haven't had the opportunity to discuss yet.

Any of these prompts is a great choice, but you can only choose one. Here's a breakdown of who each prompt is a good fit for:

• Prompt A: If you're an intellectually curious person, this is a great fit for you. People that fit this mold will engage in learning opportunities outside the classroom and constantly be on the hunt for knowledge. If you're the type that reads news before school or watches documentaries for fun, this is a good prompt for you!
• Prompt B: This is a good all-around prompt! Generally speaking, most people will have some experience that helps them answer this prompt well. Having said that, this prompt requires you to be thoughtful and introspective. You'll need to understand how your experiences and background have shaped the person you are today.
• Prompt C: Social justice is an important topic in 2021, and Tufts admissions officers are interested in students who fit with the university's mission of an "inclusive and collaborative" environment. If you have been part of the social justice movement, this would be a great prompt for you.

Keep in mind these are just suggestions. If one of these prompts jumps out to you as a perfect fit, run with it.

If you can't find this key on your keyboard, you'll have to invent it!

How to Answer Prompt A

In this prompt, Tufts wants to hear about your curiosity and interests. There are two ways you can approach this essay, each of which has its benefits and drawbacks.

First, you can choose an intellectual interest you have that relates to your future major. For example, say you're majoring in biology because you want to be in drug development. If that's the case, you can talk about a specific aspect of drug development that gets you excited. Maybe it's developing new vaccine production methods that use plants instead of animals, or maybe you want to develop new drugs to treat chronic illnesses like multiple sclerosis.

The trick here is being specific and letting your passion shine through, then tying all of that back to your future studies at Tufts. Don't be afraid to talk about a class you can't wait to take, or a project you hope to explore while you're in school. Just make sure that you're balancing talking about why you're curious with your academic plans. You don't want this to sound exactly like your "Why Tufts?" essay!

The second way you can approach this topic is by choosing something you're curious about that's a passion of yours, even if it isn't related to your major. This has the benefit of showing you're curious about more than just your major field, which is something admissions counselors are looking for.

For example, maybe you want to major in kinesiology, but you love social media and you're curious about how it impacts the ways we behave. You don't have to be majoring in psychology or computer science to write about this topic if you're passionate about it! The trick — and drawback — to going this route is making sure you're still connecting this passion back to your plans as a potential Tufts student. Maybe this curiosity has made you want to join the Tufts Psychology Society so you can learn more about how you can use human behavior and social media to help motivate people in your future career as a physical therapist.

How to Answer Prompt B

This prompt is asking you to write about how your background has shaped your character. Admissions counselors are looking for essays that showcase your thoughtfulness, especially in terms of how your experiences impact you as a person. This is a chance for you to highlight parts of your personality and identity that might not otherwise come across in your admissions materials.

If you choose this essay prompt, you'll want to spend some time figuring out which aspect of your background you want to focus on. Luckily, the prompt gives you a few ideas (family, home, neighborhood, and community) to start with, but you're not limited to those! Maybe you want to talk about an after school program you were a part of, or a sports team you played on for your entire childhood. As long as this experience or environment played a substantial part in your upbringing, it's fair game.

Whatever you choose, make sure you're choosing one thing . Don't talk about your family and your neighborhood and your community. This essay isn't long enough to cover all of that material! Instead, pick one thing and get specific. Explain why was this experience or environment important to you, and go into detail about how it impacted you as a person.

The best answers to this prompt are going to tell a story about your experience that helps readers connect with who you are. Perhaps one of the things that most shaped your character was growing up with five siblings. Tell a story about a specific moment that will help admissions counselors understand what that was like!

And finally, don't forget to connect this back to being a Tufts student by explaining how your character is a good fit for the university. For instance, let's go back to having lots of siblings. Maybe that's taught you to value everyone for their unique personalities because no matter how different you are, everyone brings something special to the table. Because of that, you're excited about making new friends and bringing people together as part of the Tufts community.

How to Answer Prompt C

This prompt is all about social justice. If you're not sure what social justice is, the National Association of Social Workers defines it as "the view that everyone deserves equal economic, political and social rights and opportunities." Put another way, social justice is the fight for equality for everyone regardless of their race, class, or economic status.

To answer this prompt, you'll need to explain how you're learning about, involved in, or fighting for social justice. What steps are you taking to help further this cause in your own life? Note that the prompt uses the term "journey," here. That means admissions counselors aren't expecting you to have this whole "social justice" thing figured out! So don't worry if you haven't arranged a march in your community or taken up donations to help with the Black Lives Matter movement. Admissions counselors are more interested in how you're learning about the social justice movement and making changes in your life to support that cause.

Here's the thing: if you're not part of the social justice movement or aren't comfortable with the idea, do not write this Tufts essay. You're given essay options for a reason! Admissions counselors are trained to sniff out falsehoods, so the worst thing you could do is fib about your social justice work. It's okay if this isn't a good topic for you!

If you do choose this prompt, make sure you start with a story. Did you participate in a march? Have you volunteered with a social justice oriented organization? Telling a specific story about your experience will help readers connect with you as a person. It's also okay if your experience with social justice was talking with a friend about it and realizing that you can do more to support the cause. Like the old saying goes: it's not about the destination — it's about what you're learning in the process.

Also, be honest about what your journey so far. It's okay to say you're still learning, or that the journey has been tough. Admissions counselors value authenticity, and the truth is that fighting for social justice can be hard. Just make sure you're keeping your discussion as positive as you can! Focus on what you've learned and how hard you're trying to make a difference.

And of course, be sure you tie this all back to Tufts. Explain how your understanding of social justice will affect how you participate in your classes and on-campus events. Make it clear that you're going to bring a spirit of equity with you to campus since that's what admissions counselors want to see in future Tufts students.

For BFA, 5-Year BFA+BA/BS at SMFA Applicants:

This section has two required essays. You don't have any choice over which prompts you'll be answering, which eliminates some of the struggle to choose the best option for you.

Prompt #1: The "Why SMFA at Tufts?" Essay

The first prompt, which must be answered in 100 to 150 words, reads:

Which aspects of the Tufts undergraduate experience prompt your application? Why SMFA at Tufts?

This prompt is similar to the "Why Tufts?" essay prompt, but with a slightly different focus. SMFA at Tufts is the School of the Museum of Fine arts program at Tufts , so it's definitely for those interested in the arts.

The admissions office wants to see you demonstrate what exactly draws you to this school over others, and what specifically drives you to seek an art degree . What will you get out of Tufts that you couldn't get elsewhere? How will an art degree enrich your life, and how will you use that degree in the future?

Colleges want to foster intellectual growth in their communities, which is why they ask for more than a standard "this is a good school" answer. They want to know why you want to attend, but they also want to know what you're bringing to the community .

Browsing Tufts and SMFA at Tufts galleries are a great way to get some inspiration. Can you see your artwork fitting in there? What will you offer that isn't already represented?

Think about art that you've created or art that you want to create . How will Tufts help you get there? What makes you want to pursue an art degree, rather than art as a supplement to another field? Clearly articulating your interest and commitment will demonstrate that you're a good fit for Tufts to the admissions office.

Prompt #2: The Art Prompt

The second prompt, also with a 200 to 250 word count, reads:

Art has the power to disrupt our preconceptions, shape public discourse, and imagine new ways of being in the world. What are the ideas you'd like to explore in your work?

This question dives a little bit deeper into your artistic mind. It's not enough to create art that is beautiful on a surface level—Tufts wants to know that you're thinking about your art meaningfully, too .

This prompt is essentially an artist's statement , though it's focused more on your artistic intent on a large scale rather than on an individual piece. Look through some of your favorite art you've created and think about common themes and recurring ideas, even if you didn't intend for them to be there . What concepts are you trying to explore, even subconsciously?

Consider not just what your art looks or sounds like, but also what it's made of and why you chose to make it that way. Think beyond availability or ease of use—always keep the question of "why" in your mind.

Themes are good, but try not to go too general or invent something that isn't there. Much of art is about capturing beauty, so try to think deeper than that. And if you're going to claim that your art critiques or represents something, you need to be able to demonstrate that— analyze what you've created to show how it connects to your themes, don't simply project something over the top and hope that admissions officers don't notice it wasn't really there .

What Do Tufts Essays That Worked Look Like?

Thankfully, Tufts University isn't shy about putting accepted essays online for applicants to browse. While some of these essays apply to older topics, they'll still help you get a sense of what admissions counselors are looking for in excellent students (and their essays).

"Why Tufts?" Essay That Worked

I vividly remember stepping onto the roof of Tisch Library and seeing a group of kids sitting in hammocks, overlooking the Boston skyline. I briefly tuned out my tour guide's presentation and began to eavesdrop. The students covered everything from physics to what they had for lunch that day. When they spoke about physics, they did not speak with pretension; instead they spoke with passion. Likewise, when they spoke about something as simple as lunch, they did so with witty intrigue. Tufts students are as interesting as they are interested. This description not only resonates with me, it defines me.

This essay does an excellent job of answering the questions at the core of the "Why Tufts?" essay. The writer channels an experience they had while at Tufts, detailing how listening in on other students solidified their desire to attend. They use words like "passion" to describe Tufts students, showing traits they also want to channel.

The ending really hits on something important: this student wanted to be part of the student body because the students they overheard were not only interesting people, but also interested . Remember the prompts mention of being "intellectually playful?" This is the perfect way to demonstrate curiosity, interest, and love of learning int he specific context of Tufts .

"What Have You Created?" Essay That Worked

This essay applies to an older prompt that asked students to talk about one of their creations. Here's what this student had to say:

When people talk about building something, creating it, they most often mean something physical. Engineers, architects, and laborers, these are the professions that I think of as making things. I've never been much of a builder, I lack that particular understanding of the world that is required to envision what you will build, and have never been coordinated enough to make much of anything with my hands, but I can create. What I have made is not something you can hold or touch, it spans no gaps and holds no weight, and I can't even claim to have laid a single finger on its construction. My creation is a poem, or rather, poems. Series of letters symbolic of sounds strung together to make words, which are in turn collected into lines and stanzas, pieces of a whole. My poems cannot be touched, but they can touch you; though they won't form a bridge, they can cross a divide; and while you'll never be able to weigh them on a scale, the weight of the ideas they hold can be felt the moment you read them. So I may not be an engineer or an architect or a laborer, but I am a creator. I craft words into meaning, forge lines into rhymes, and sculpt imaginations. So even if I can't hold what I make, I can watch it take shape and see its impact on the world.

This essay does an excellent job of answering the question not just by stating the answer, but by embodying it . It's clear that the student is a writer; their language is vivid, immediate, and playful, demonstrating how strong their grasp is on word meanings and sentence structure.

Importantly, this essay doesn't disparage other disciplines—it interprets poetry using language physical creators might use, such as "spans," "bridge," and "weight.

There's a great deal of creativity and intellectual play in this essay, which serve to set the writer apart from students who might have focused more on the existence of the thing they'd built (a souped-up car engine, for example) than the function of the thing they'd built (a souped-up car engine that reduces carbon emissions, for example).

When tackling this prompt, think about how you, too, can exemplify your creation in your essay .

Think like a dolphin: smart and playful!

Key Points for Your Tufts Essays

Best practices for Tufts essays are similar to other schools, but there are some special considerations to keep in mind.

Pay Attention to Tufts' Intellectual Bent

Tufts makes a point of using words like "playful" and "intellectual." These suggest a curiosity about the world that goes beyond wanting to attend a good school because it's a good school. Keep them in mind as you're writing— how can you demonstrate your own curiosity and interest in the world?

Remember That Tufts Is a Research University

You'll be interacting more with graduate students than you would in other settings . Not only will this give you a leg up in applying to grad school, but it will also grant you the opportunity to think more deeply than if you were only exposed to other undergrads.

Demonstrating an interest in learning from other students and participating in a learning community is a great way to show that you're interested in the unique experience of attending a research university.

Choose the Prompts That Are Right for You

Because Tufts has two different sets of prompts depending which school you'll be attending, be sure you select the right ones. Further, be sure you really maximize each prompt's potential— the rest of your application covers academics, so use your essay to showcase what really makes you stand out .

What's Next?

Before you get started on writing your essays, you'll want to know what kind of admission requirements Tufts has . Great essays are important, but you should also demonstrate academic success!

Plan to get the best scores possible on your standardized tests, too. Reading about ACT and GPA requirements ahead of time can help you plan your academic strategy, as can reading about SAT requirements . Use these guides to get a head start!

Melissa Brinks graduated from the University of Washington in 2014 with a Bachelor's in English with a creative writing emphasis. She has spent several years tutoring K-12 students in many subjects, including in SAT prep, to help them prepare for their college education.

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2 Terrific Tufts University Essay Examples

What’s covered:, essay example 1, essay example 2.

• Where to Get Feedback on Your Essay  

Tufts is a highly-selective college located right outside of Boston. With small class sizes and an abundance of eager applicants, it’s important that your application stands out with strong essays. In this post, we’ll share real essays students have submitted to Tufts, and share what they did well and how they could be made even better (Names and identifying information have been changed, but all other details are preserved).

Please note: Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays. You should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and will not view students favorably if they plagiarized. 

Read our Tufts essay breakdown to get a comprehensive overview of this year’s supplemental prompts.

Prompt: It’s cool to love learning. What excites your intellectual curiosity? (200-250 words)

Overachiever

With your big handwriting”

I’d just texted a friend about how much I was enjoying the 27-problem, AP Calculus worksheet our teacher had assigned for homework that night. I wasn’t quite sure how to reply; I knew she was joking, but she wasn’t entirely wrong. I asked Mr. Gearhart for extra problems regularly. But what’s more, I enjoyed applying my knowledge to concepts I was passionate about. I’d use my knowledge of geometric series to learn about the money multiplier in economics. I’d use my knowledge of logarithms to learn about the twelve-tone equal temperament tuning system in western music. And yes, I’d do so with giant handwriting.

It wasn’t just that I wanted to apply the mathematical concepts; I wanted to see new perspectives. To apply math to music, I had to understand how the two interacted— look at math through music-based lenses. Every time I’d grasp another application, I’d gain another set. And by the end of a month or so, I’d have filled a drawer of lenses, categorized by subject. One could call me a lens collector. But I call myself curious, always wanting to gain new viewpoints. Why? They allow me to take more pictures, wear a myriad of glasses, see a fresh outlook on the world. Every latest perspective is like coming back to a puzzle after taking a break— so many new insights to act upon. So that’s what I replied:

“I just find them as fun little puzzles haha”

What the Essay Did Well

One of the reasons this essay is so powerful is because it takes a single moment in time and expands on the thoughts and feelings behind that experience. The entire essay is sandwiched between two text messages, but because it is so focused, it allows the student to delve into how she is perceived as an overachiever and what it means to her.

This student does an excellent job of showing the reader how they go above and beyond and what they get out of it. They don’t just say they like to do extra practice to see how math affects the real world (a basic answer). Instead, they specifically connect geometric series to economic concepts and logarithms to music. By doing this, the reader sees the different academic interests this student has and how they take an interdisciplinary approach to learning.

They also go a step further than just explaining what excites their intellectual curiosity by explaining why it excites them. There is even more great use of imagery when the student compares the interdisciplinary study of math and music to a new lens to view the world through. By referring to themselves as a “lens collector”, it paints a clear picture that this is a student who is always learning new things and eager to gain new perspectives. Tufts is looking to admit “lens collectors”, so showcasing how your curiosity impacts your outlook on the world is an excellent way to take this prompt above and beyond.

What Could Be Improved

Although this is a well-written essay with a great story, the one area for improvement would be the inclusion of the text messages. While it sets up a good context for the response, when the first thing the reader sees are three disjointed lines, it makes the hook less effective. It does create some mystery and suspense, but it makes the reader take a step back and try and process what is happening. The person reading an essay should be enthralled from the beginning and shouldn’t have to try and figure out what the author is referring to.

This hook would be stronger and less disjointed if it only had one text from the student’s friend saying they were an overachiever. The fact about the big handwriting is personable, but ultimately unnecessary. The student could jump into why they are seen as an overachiever and why they actually enjoy doing extra work sooner if the opening line looked like this:

“ My phone buzzed and one big word flashed across the screen: Overachiever.”

Lunch is served. Falafel, salad, humus, pita, tzatziki sauce and mint lemonade. The common denominator: made by me. My family gathers around quietly filling their plates with my creations. They sit and the conversation begins to flow. My sister shares that King Louis XIV only showered twice in his life. My physics-obsessed grandpa urges us to read Thinking, Fast and Slow. My grandma pitches a business proposition for me to open a restaurant. My mom looks disgusted when my sister shares the not-so-fun fact. My dad joins my grandpa and demands my sister and me to read the dense book. The food is almost gone but the conversation still lingers. Maybe there is something magical in the little balls of chick-peas that prompt my family to speak of everything that crosses their mind. I don’t chat much but I enjoy listening and smiling to the continuous exchange of information. This is what excites my desire for knowledge, each member of my family knows something different and they bring it to the table. Each member fills a particular gap in my world of knowledge just like my dishes fill their bellies with the five essential nutrients. And when the conversation comes to a lul: Dessert is served.

The use of imagery and tangible descriptions really makes this essay stand out. Right away, any hungry reader’s mouth is watering at the description of a delicious meal, and we learn that this talented student made it all. But then we really feel like we are sitting at the table and listening to their family’s conversation. It’s all in the details for this essay. If it just said, “My sister mentioned a fun fact she learned in history class, while both my grandpa and dad suggested a book to read,” we wouldn’t feel like we were transported to this family’s meal, which wouldn’t make us engage with the story as much.

This student also employs some creativity to connect her family’s stories to her interest in cooking. It’s never said that cooking excites their intellectual curiosity, but it is implied since that’s what this student brings to the table. We don’t need to be explicitly told that food excites them because the way they write about cooking for their family, and the effects it has on them, is enough to understand their passion for this topic.

One thing that could improve this essay is changing the order of the family members’ conversations to make the story flow smoother. For example, since the mom’s contribution to the meal is directly related to the sister’s, her reaction should have directly followed the sister’s comment on Louis XIV. Likewise, the dad agrees with the grandpa on the book, so those should have been bundled together. 

Improving the structure and flow of the essay would make it a faster read and reduce any confusion. Admissions officers race through essays, and the last thing you want is for them to have to pause and go back to understand what is happening. By the time we hear the student’s mom was disgusted at the sister’s story or the dad likes the book, we’ve heard other family members’ stories and might not remember what they are referring to. Simple changes like this can make big differences to the quality of an essay.

Where to Get Feedback on Your Essay 

Want feedback like this on your Tufts University essay before you submit? We offer expert essay review by advisors who have helped students get into their dream schools. You can book a review with an expert to receive notes on your topic, grammar, and essay structure to make your essay stand out to admissions officers.

Haven’t started writing your essay yet? Advisors on CollegeVine also offer expert college counseling packages . You can purchase a package to get one-on-one guidance on any aspect of the college application process, including brainstorming and writing essays.

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Tufts Transfer Acceptance Rate and Requirements — 2024

December 15, 2023

Tufts University is now a full-fledged member of the single-digit club—schools that reject more than 9 of every 10 individuals who apply. While the Tufts transfer acceptance rate is often similar to the freshman figure, they have accepted as many as 300 applicants in recent cycles. In other words, gaining acceptance as a transfer student to this school is highly challenging, but not a one-in-a-million shot either. This blog will share the Tufts transfer acceptance rate as well as other essential pieces of information like the Tufts transfer deadline, the requirements for applicants, the Tufts University transfer decision date, and much more.

Tufts Transfer Acceptance Rate

Below we present the most current available Tufts University transfer acceptance rate as well as historical data.

For entry in the fall of 2022, 1,474 students applied for transfer admission, and 148 were successful. This means that the Tufts transfer acceptance rate is 10%. Broken down by gender, the acceptance rates are as follows:

• Male transfer applicants: 7.7%
• Female transfer applicants: 11%

For entry in the fall of 2021, there were 1,237 transfer applicants and 90 individuals were accepted. This means that the Tufts transfer acceptance rate was 7.3%.

When trying to get the complete picture of how difficult it is to transfer into a given school, it is important to also look at historical data. Some colleges have wild fluctuations in transfer acceptance rates from year to year. As you can see, this is very much the case at Tufts where acceptance rates have varied from 7% to 28% in recent years.

Historical transfer rates are as follows:

Tufts Transfer Deadline

The Tufts transfer deadline for fall applicants is March 18. If applying to a BFA program, the visual art portfolio is due by March 20. Tufts does not allow for spring transfers.

Tufts Transfer Requirements

The Tufts transfer requirements are as follows:

• Completed Common App for Transfer
• Final high school transcript
• Official college transcripts
• Transfer Mid-Term Report
• Brief description of college courses (can be from catalog pasted directly into MS Word)
• SAT or ACT scores (optional through 2026)
• College Report
• One letter of recommendation from a college-level instructor
• Supplemental materials, if required or recommended. For examples, applicants to BFA programs must complete a visual art portfolio , and prospective engineering students can complete a Maker Portfolio .

Tufts Transfer Acceptance Rate (Continued)

Students who have the best chance to gain admission to Tufts have done the following:

• In the process of completing at least two full-time college semesters.
• Earned exceptional grades in their first year at a community college or 4-year university.
• Pursued relevant coursework for their academic major. For engineering, follow these guidelines . Prospective Arts and Sciences students will be evaluated on how much progress they have made toward major, language, and foundation/distribution requirements.

Tufts Transfer GPA

Straight from the Tufts admissions staff, there is no minimum GPA, but admitted students typically have a GPA of 3.0 to a 4.0. In our experience, Tufts transfer hopefuls should aim for a 3.75 or above to have the strongest chance possible. Additionally, according to admissions: “If you have only completed one year of college coursework, we may need to put greater emphasis on your high school transcript. If your high school transcript is not as strong as you would like it to be, superior performance in one or two years of college coursework will help us see your full potential.”

Tufts Transfer Writing Supplement

All transfer applicants must respond to the following:

• Please provide a statement that addresses your reasons for transferring to Tufts University and the objectives you hope to achieve. (2000-3000 characters)

Arts and Sciences & Engineering Applicants Only

• Please complete the following statement: “I am applying to Tufts because…” (250-500 characters)
• Please respond to one of the following three prompts in 1200-1500 characters:
• It’s cool to love learning. What excites your intellectual curiosity and why?
• How have the environments or experiences of your upbringing – your family, home, neighborhood, or community – shaped the person you are today?
• Using a specific example or two, tell us about a way that you contributed to building a collaborative and/or inclusive community.

SMFA Applicants Only

• Please use the short-answer prompt below to tell us more about yourself, your interests, and your experiences. We care about the ways in which your interests and experiences and will contribute to the Tufts community.Art has the power to disrupt our preconceptions, shape public discourse, and imagine new ways of being in the world. What are the ideas you’d like to explore in your work? (1200-1500 characters)
• Please complete the following statement: “I am applying to SMFA at Tufts because…” (250-500 characters)

Transfer Decision Date

The Tufts transfer decision date for fall decisions is in mid-May.

Final Thoughts – Tufts University Transfer Acceptance Rate

Although you do not need to specify a major at the time of application, prospective transfers must commit to joining either the School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Engineering, or a BFA program. According to Tufts, “We look for students who will be successful in their chosen discipline here, but also students who will engage in campus life.” Moreover, they’re interested in learning about your reasons for wanting to transfer to Tufts specifically. We’d recommend clearly demonstrating these factors in your application.

If you are 100% committed to leaving your current college, you’ll want to apply to other schools in addition to Tufts University. Even if you have a 4.0, admission into Tufts is far from a guarantee, so you’ll want to create a balanced list of institutions that include safety schools.

If you are looking for information on how to apply to Tufts as a first-year student, you may find the following blogs to be of interest:

• How to Get Into Tufts
• Tufts Supplemental Essay Prompt and Tips

Those searching for application info on other institutions may wish to visit our Dataverse pages/blogs:

• Transfer Admissions Deadlines
• Transfer Acceptance Rates

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Transfer-Profile

Tufts university.

• Private 4 year
• 5,255 Full + Part time Students
• 1:9 Faculty to Student Ratio
• 2% Transfer Student Ratio
• $34.1K Avg. Financial Aid

Financial Information

• Scholarships and Financial Aid: Tufts offers need-based financial aid to its students. While the financial aid budget at Tufts is substantial, it is a finite resource that is available on a limited basis to transfer students.

Application Deadlines for Transfer

Transfer application requirements.

• Minimum GPA: Though there is no minimum GPA cut off for a student to be eligible for admission as a transfer student at Tufts, the most successful transfer applications are those with a GPA above a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Official Transcripts: Official college and high school transcripts are required.
• SAT Scores: Official standardized test scores are required.
• Letters of Recommendation: Instructor Evaluations and a College Official's Report are required.
• Essay: Both the Common App for Transfer Admission & the Tufts Supplement require short answers & essays; take the time to think about the questions and craft responses to help the Admission Committee get to know you and understand your desire to transfer.
• Application Fee: There is a $70 non-refundable application fee.
• Interview: Tufts does not publish the requirement for an interview.
• Other Requirements: There are specific course requirements to transfer into the School of Engineering.
• Apply Here: admissions.tufts.edu/apply/transfer-students/applying-as-a-transfer-candida/

Transfer Credit Policy

• Minimum Grade: Please be aware that only courses earned with a grade of C- or better are eligible to receive credit from Tufts.
• Credits (Min/Max): Students in the School of Arts & Sciences need 34 semester courses to graduate; in the School of Engineering need 38. You may only transfer 17 courses to Arts & Sciences, or 19 to Engineering. To obtain a degree 1/2 your credits must be from Tufts.
• Transfer Policy Document: Tufts University Transfer Credit Policy.pdf

Transferring within Tufts: Arts and Sciences to/from Engineering

Transfer from the school of arts and sciences to the school of engineering.

A Tufts student enrolled in the School of Arts and Sciences (BA or BS) may initiate a transfer to the School of Engineering provided certain requirements are met. To inquire about the process or to initiate a transfer, please contact your designated SOE Senior Academic Advisor,  John Gearin , if you are a first-year A&S student or  Tara Zantow ,  if you are a rising sophomore or beyond. In order to get the best possible advice about Engineering classes and majors, please make this contact before the start of the semester, or within the first two weeks of classes. * Note that BFA students are not eligible for the internal transfer – please consult with your SMFA Advising Dean . Furthermore, external transfer students are not permitted to apply for an internal transfer to Engineering for the duration of their time at Tufts.  Please consult your Advising Dean to discuss the best path forward for your educational plans.

During the semester in which a student has applied to transfer internally into the School of Engineering, the Senior Academic Advisor becomes the student's academic advisor. At the end of the semester, the transfer application will be evaluated by the Internal Transfer Committee. If the requirements below are met, the transfer will be approved, SIS will be updated, the student will declare a major in the School of Engineering, and a faculty advisor in the selected major will be assigned. If the requirements are not met, the student's application may be declined, or deferred for review at the end of the subsequent semester. Please note that a student's application may be deferred only  once .  A link to the application will be shared with the student once they have met with their SoE Senior Academic Advisor. 

Applying during your first semester of study

• Meet with your designated SoE Senior Academic Advisor and submit an application for transfer.
• You must be registered in 4 courses including 3 appropriate STEM courses (see standards sections).
• Achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better.
• Earn a grade of C- or above in all STEM courses.
• Submit any pre-matriculation credit (AP, IB, etc), which needs to be recorded on your transcript prior to acceptance into the School of Engineering.

Applying during your second semester of study, or beyond

• If you are a first-year student, you must be registered in 4 courses including 3 appropriate STEM courses (see standards sections).
• If you are a sophomore, you must be registered in 5 courses including 4 appropriate STEM courses (see standards sections).
• Achieve a minimum semester and cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better.

Students must meet all the above requirements as well as estimate an approximate graduation date in consultation with your intended major’s faculty member. If your approximate graduation date exceeds 8 semesters you must submit a financial statement to Dean Jennifer Stephan, the Dean of Academic Advising and Undergraduate Studies for the School of Engineering.

Math STEM Standard

Transfers to Tufts Engineering are expected to take math courses from the sequence: Math 32, Math 34, Math 42, Math 51, Math 65/CS 61, Math 70. In general, higher level math courses (those with Math 34 as a pre-requisite) may be substituted for courses on the above list.

AP credit for Math needs to be submitted and processed prior to acceptance into the SoE.

Science STEM Standard

Transfers to Tufts Engineering are expected to take natural science courses from the following list: Chem 1/11, Chem 2/12, Physics 11, Physics 12, Bio 13, Bio 14, EOS 1, EOS 2, EOS 5, ES 11, Physics 13, AST 32. Higher level natural science courses (with the above listed courses as pre-requisites) may also be acceptable.

AP credit for Natural Science needs to be submitted and processed prior to acceptance into the SoE.

Engineering/Computer STEM Standard

Transfers to Tufts Engineering are expected to take engineering courses, preferably starting in their first year. At a minimum, a transfer must have completed the number of engineering courses listed below. Examples of courses include: EN 1, ES 2, CS 11, ES 4, ES18.

Transfer from the School of Engineering to the School of Arts and Sciences

A Tufts student enrolled in the School of Engineering may initiate an internal transfer to the School of Arts and Sciences (BA/BS) during their first year, Sophomore year, or the first semester of their Junior year. However, students with a genuine interest in transferring to Arts and Sciences should not delay. Before initiating an internal transfer, students are very strongly encouraged to consult with their Engineering advising team to discuss their Engineering degree requirements as well as their reasons for a potential transfer.

Students who are interested in pursuing an internal transfer to Arts and Sciences are required to meet with one of the Senior Academic Advisors in Arts and Sciences to discuss the internal transfer process: the purpose of this initial advising meeting is to review the new degree requirements, to create a degree completion plan, and to determine if it would be feasible to graduate within a traditional timeframe. To inquire about the internal transfer process or to schedule an advising meeting, please contact Ericka Miranda (last names A - M) or Allison Vander Broek (last names N - Z).

After meeting with a Senior Academic Advisor, students who decide to officially move forward in initiating an internal transfer to Arts and Sciences will need to submit an application for consideration. Students can only access the application if they have successfully navigated the above steps.

Engineering to Arts & Sciences Internal Transfer Criteria

• Minimum 2.5 term GPA
• Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
• Proposed degree completion plan to demonstrate timely completion of all Arts & Sciences degree requirements (i.e. Foundation requirements, Distribution requirements, at least one major, minimum of 120 credits)
• 2 nd semester Sophomores and 1 st semester Juniors must have a Primary Major Declaration form on file, approved by their prospective major advisor

Application Deadlines/Admissions Timeline for First-Years and 1 st Semester Sophomores

The application deadline is November 1 st during the fall semester and April 1 st during the spring semester. Applications received after these deadlines will be reviewed during the next application cycle.

Once an application is submitted, Ericka or Allison will be assigned as the student’s co-advisor (based on the above alphabet split by last name).

Applications received by the deadlines noted above will be reviewed at the end of the semester once all final grades are posted. If internal transfer is approved, students will be officially assigned to Ericka or Allison as their Arts and Sciences pre-major advisor (and the Engineering advisor will be removed).

Application Deadlines/Admissions Timeline for 2 nd Semester Sophomores and 1 st Semester Juniors

Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis but should be submitted as soon as possible, and additionally, well in advance of the advising period for the subsequent semester.

*Applications submitted during the advising period may not be processed until after the advising period: this could result in a delay to your registration.

Students must have an approved Primary Major Declaration form on file in order for the internal transfer application to be reviewed and processed.

General Notes about Internal Transfer from Engineering to Arts & Sciences

• Students will not be allowed to apply for internal transfer as a 2 nd semester Junior or as a Senior. The final semester for students to apply for internal transfer is the first semester of their Junior year.
• Students are only permitted two attempts to apply for transfer to Arts and Sciences.
• There is an appeal process for students who are denied admission.
• Engineering students who have a previous and/or active academic standing status will not have those statuses removed from their record; furthermore, Engineering students who successfully transfer to Arts and Sciences will be subject to all academic standing criteria (as well as the return to good standing criteria) for Arts and Sciences students.
• External transfer students are not permitted to apply for an internal transfer to Arts & Sciences for the duration of their time at Tufts.  Please consult your Advising Dean to discuss the best path forward for your educational plans.

Questions can be addressed to Ericka Miranda for students with last names A-M or to Allison Vander Broek for students with last names N-Z.

08 November 2016

Essays that Worked (Tufts Edition)

Posted in Class of 2021 , Essays , Perspectives

This blog post includes successful responses for all of the essay prompts included by Tufts, as well as some video commentary on why each one proved compelling to the admissions team.

Click here  for the essays.

• Tags: Class of 2021 , College Admissions , Essays , Tufts
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Tufts University 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Regular Decision Deadline: Mar 15

You Have: 

Tufts University 2023-24 Application Essay Question Explanations 

The Requirements:  1 essay of 100-150 words; 1 essay of 200-250 words.

Supplemental Essay Type: Why , Oddball

Think outside the box as you answer the following questions. Take a risk and go somewhere unexpected. Be serious if the moment calls for it, but feel comfortable being playful if that suits you, too. 

Applicants to the school of arts & sciences or the school of engineering:, please respond to one of the following three prompts in 200-250 words:, it’s cool to love learning. what excites your intellectual curiosity.

Tufts wants to accept intellectually curious applicants, so why not use this opportunity to rant and rave about your current obsession? Maybe you find marine life to be absolutely fascinating, and you’ve been reading up on the most dangerous creatures in the deep dark sea (and their preferred prey, of course). Or maybe you are super interested in Greek mythology and have been voraciously reading every book you can find on Poseidon and his many adventures. When was the last time you went down an internet rabbit hole trying to research something? When were you extremely motivated to solve a problem or create something new? What was the last fact or skill you learned outside of school that truly captured your imagination? The bottom line here is to discuss examples of what truly fascinates you, while also reflecting on what these examples say about your personality traits, interests, or learning style.

How have the environments or experiences of your upbringing – your family, home, neighborhood, or community – shaped the person you are today?

This is a classic community essay, through and through. Admissions wants to know what or who has made you into the person you are today. Where do you come from? What has shaped you as a person, and how has that made your perspective unique? What you focus on here can be reflective of larger cultural constructs or specific to you and only you. Tufts is looking to add diverse perspectives to the melting pot that is their student body. Is there anything you can teach your classmates about your hometown, traditions, culture, cuisine, orientation, identity, race, or ethnicity that they might not already know? Were you raised in a Muslim family in a small southern town? Do you identify as trans or queer? Were you adopted as a child? What has influenced your identity? What do you believe and how will your worldview bring something of value to the community at Tufts?

Using a specific example or two, tell us about a way that you contributed to building a collaborative and/or inclusive community.

First of all, let us remind you that your “community” can be just about anything, from your neighborhood to your family to your comedy troupe. Pick a community that means something to you and the diversity narrative will fall into place. Maybe your progressive church welcomes people of all sexualities and gender identities, and you developed a brand new youth group for queer and questioning teens. Perhaps your school is incredibly homogenous and isolated, and you helped your Spanish class organize Skype chats with a school in Guatemala to learn more about different parts of the world while developing your Spanish skills. No matter your starting point, be sure you tell a clear story with a beginning, middle, and end that demonstrates your commitment to creating inclusive environments. It might be tempting to pen a vivid description of your community and leave it at that, but the point of an essay like this is to tell a story about you and your contributions.

Applicants to the School of the Museum of Fine Arts (SMFA) at Tufts:

Please respond to the following prompt in 200-250 words:, art has the power to disrupt our preconceptions, shape public discourse, and imagine new ways of being in the world. what are the ideas you’d like to explore in your work   .

Tufts wants to know what kinds of ideas keep you up at night. Your response doesn’t need to have static answers that will stay with you, of course; your ideas will change over your evolving life as an artist, but now is the time to try to pin down a basic explanation of what your art means to you, what it addresses, and for bonus points: why you want to spend the rest of your life immersed in it. Ultimately, like with all written components of your application, it’s integral to be highly specific and use personal details to bring your essay to life. This isn’t the place to be modest or undersell yourself; present your work proudly and succinctly, and admissions is sure to be impressed. Inspiration can be infectious, so be passionate and take them on a journey into your mind.

In addition, we will ask all applicants to complete this sentence in 100 words or less:

“i am applying to tufts because…” .

Well, well, well… the admissions department wants to know why you hope to attend Tufts University next fall. What a surprise. Start by browsing the Tufts website and reminding yourself why this school is on your list to begin with! Does Tufts offer a specific major that’s hard to find at other institutions? Is there a professor you’d really like to learn from or a club you want to join? What do you have to offer Tufts’ community? Maybe your favorite classes are the ones in which you and your peers discuss literature and debate symbolism. Perhaps you are the punniest person you know and think this core part of your character will help you assimilate into Tufts’ playful culture smoothly. Whatever your reasoning may be, share it with admissions—and be concise! 

About Kat Stubing

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, tufts transfer acceptance rate.

So, I've been thinking about transferring to Tufts University and I'm curious, what's the acceptance rate like for transfer students compared to regular decision applicants? Just trying to gauge my chances here. Thanks, everyone!

The acceptance rate for transfer students at Tufts University is generally lower than that of regular decision applicants. While Tufts has had an overall acceptance rate of around 15% in recent years, the transfer acceptance rate tends to be closer to 5% to 8%. It's important to keep in mind that these numbers can fluctuate from year to year and may vary depending on the number of available spaces and the quality of the applicant pool.

However, it's essential not to get too caught up in acceptance rate percentages, as they're just one part of the picture. The admissions process for transfer students is evaluated differently. Tufts will consider factors such as your college transcript, extracurricular involvement, leadership, work experience, and overall fit with the university.

To maximize your chances of being accepted, make sure to maintain a strong academic record at your current college, showcase your passion and experience in your field of interest, and write a compelling transfer essay that clearly explains your reasons for wanting to transfer to Tufts. Best of luck with your transfer application!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.