CM's Guide to Tufts University

Tufts University–Medford, MA

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Tufts’ Instagram

The Vibe

Small, liberal college town

What it Feels Like to Go Here

If you want a stereotypical college experience, then you can stop reading because Tufts University is far from what you see in the movies. Even outside of the classroom, Tufts welcomes students from places like Turkey, Singapore and China right to Medford. And because everyone is unique in their own way, Tufts aims to overcome restrictive gender binary roles with its safe and inclusive environment. Many buildings on campus have gender neutral bathrooms and more are to come.

Awesome Alumni

Looking to become a billionaire? Follow in the steps of Pierre Omidyar, the founder of eBay who graduated from Tufts University with a bachelor’s degree in computer science back in 1988. And before Dwight Schrute became obsessed with bears, beets and Battlestar Galactica, actor Rainn Wilson was a Jumbo himself. Another fellow Jumbo is Jessica Biel. The lucky wife of Justin Timberlake only attended the school from 2000 to 2002, but her life turned out just fine if you ask me.

Where We Hang

Tufts may have a small campus, but plenty of spaces serve as areas for students to meet with friends or study on their own. When students aren’t locked in their dorms on snow days, they can be seen out on the Res Quad or Prez Lawn. The spring breeze offers the perfect weather for students to bring out their hammocks and blankets with a book in hand or their computers for a serene study environment.

Q&A

1. How much are students partying?

“There are lots of house parties, plus pretty frequent open fraternity parties. A good amount of students also go off campus into Davis Square or other nearby areas to go to bars,” senior computer science major Louis Ades said.

2. What will you get in trouble for at your school?

“[A] big thing at Tufts are noise complaints. As Tufts is in a semi-urban area we have some young families and your professionals living in the area who do sometimes get bothered by the volume of various parties, which can sometimes cause a disturbance. These noise complaints can also lead to fines,” senior political science major Allie Weiller said.

3. How much sex are students having?

“The hook-up culture is very real at Tufts. It is almost more taboo to be in a relationship than a part of hook-up culture. People don’t really care what you do or whom you’re doing it with. As long as you have consent and are being respectful of others, then you do you,” junior community health major Alyssa Antman said.

4. What would you tell incoming freshman about your school?

“Whatever it is you are interested in, you can find it at Tufts. Every resource will be made available to you to pursue your passion,” senior drama and film major Max Greenhouse said.

5. What has been the biggest challenge being at Tufts?

“Staying motivated to do well in school. Tufts is hard,” junior american studies and education major Matthew Wilson said.

Overall Experience

“Every day is a new experience and a new challenge, and being at Tufts makes me want to take on those hard days and appreciate those good days. I didn’t realize that the things I’m passionate about have spaces at Tufts that make it accessible to me to really do the things I love.”–Antman, Community Health Major, Class of 2018

“The greenery is great. The trees in spring time are all green, and it’s happy to be around.”–Wilson, American Studies and Education Major, Class of 2018

“I was also surprised at how often the President, President Monaco, would attend the events on campus. He would come to all the soccer games, as well as frequent other sporting events, and attend theater productions, a capella performances, and other events.”–Weiller, Political Science Major, Class of 2016

“I am proud to be a Jumbo because of the excellence that defines this institution. We are given the tools we need to succeed as human beings, and for that we are very well respected.”–Greenhouse, Drama and Film Major, Class of 2016

“Everyone at Tufts is smart and well rounded. But everyone is also quirky, somewhat nerdy and very friendly.”–Sara Parker*, Applied Math and Computer Science major, Class of 2019

Top 3 Majors

Art
Biology
Economics

Top 3 Most Popular Student Organizations

Tufts Community Union Senate encompasses all Tufts students, but Senate is the student government of Tufts University. Responsible for creating university budgets, projects to further student activities and ensuring the needs of all students, there are 28 senator positions, six community representatives and three trustee representatives that students can be elected into. If you’re on the road to D.C., then be sure to get involved with Senate through the Tufts Community Union at the start of your freshman year.

2. Tufts University may not be a huge sports college, but the Department of Athletics set up a way for all students to get involved in the sports they feel most passionate about. Club Sports is comprised of Tier I sports (cycling, water polo and ski team) and Tier II sports (cheerleading, ice hockey and tennis). “The major difference is that we are self-run. We handle all of our own financials, hiring coaching staff, equipment, travel logistics, league registration, etc,” Thomas Lucic, captain of the men’s fencing team, said. These teams aren’t included in the NCAA Division III sports, but that doesn’t mean these athletes don’t have a competitive side.

3. Jumbos pride themselves in being all inclusive and appreciating all identities. If you’re looking for a way to maintain or build your body confidence, the Burlesque dance troupe is the place for you. “There’s no way for me to describe how amazing Burlesque is,” Miranda Siler, senior co-director, said. With no audition process, the over 200 student org invites dancers of all levels to join. “Having grown up in a very strict ballet background…there’s a lot of pressure to have your body to be a certain way. [In Burlesque] there [are] people of all shapes and sizes. It’s a place where everyone is valued,” Siler said. Tufts University makes sure everyone can be comfortable in their own skin.

Getting In

Holding the number one spot in your high school class was impressive as you walked across the stage during graduation. When applying to colleges, you need a lot more than stellar academics (the average ACT score lands between 30 and 33). Tufts wants students who are well-rounded and have a passion for what they want to achieve over the next four years. What vision to do have for yourself? What social good to do you see yourself working towards? Tufts University needs to know if you want a spot on their campus.