Tufts uses the Common Application. Everything you need to apply, including the supplement, is hosted there.
Each year Tufts University enrolls a number of intelligent, motivated and focused students via its transfer admissions process. While the number of transfer students who matriculate to Tufts in a given year varies, typically 50-100 transfer candidates will be offered admission. The most successful transfer applicants have not only demonstrated notable academic and personal success, their applications also reflect key reasons for their intended transfer to Tufts. The following information is made available to inform and guide your efforts as a potential transfer candidate.
- Transfer Eligibility
- Continuing Education - Resumed Education for Adult Learning (REAL)
- Financial Aid
- Housing
- Contact Us
Transfer Eligibility
Tufts welcomes transfer applicants to the School of Arts & Sciences and the School of Engineering who are in good academic and disciplinary standing from accredited two- and four-year institutions. To be considered for transfer admission, a candidate needs to have completed at least one year of college study by the time they plan to enroll at Tufts. Applicants to the School of Engineering need degree of curriculum completion to be considered for admission. Please see details below.
In order to receive a Tufts degree, students who have transferred to the university must be a fully enrolled member of the Tufts community for at least two years. Therefore, students who have already earned more than two years worth of full-time college credit are discouraged from applying to Tufts. Generally, students who are in the process of completing their first or second year of higher education are the most successful in the transfer admissions process.
School of Engineering Transfer Eligibility
Applicants for sophomore transfer need at least two semesters of calculus or higher level math and two semesters of calculus based physics or chemistry at the time of matriculation.
Applicants for junior transfer need two years of coursework at the time of matriculation that completes the introductory coursework for engineering as well as making progress toward completing the foundation requirements for his or her intended major. Information regarding introductory and foundation courses can be found by degree on the Degrees and Majors page on the School of Engineering website.
Biomedical Engineering (BME) as a first major cannot accept transfer students. For students with an interest in BME, a second major in BME is available as a compliment to a first major and is open to students in both the School of Engineering and the School of Arts and Sciences.
Continuing Education - Resumed Education for Adult Learning (REAL)
Tufts invites prospective transfer candidates who are beyond the traditional college-age to apply to Tufts as a REAL candidate. REAL applicants must have some college experience within the last five years, and be invested in earning their Bachelor’s Degree on a full-time basis.
The power of the REAL program exists in the support its students receive. Beginning with the admissions process and continuing through to graduation, REAL students benefit from guidance specifically tailored for adult learners.
There is a separate application process for students interested in the REAL program. For more information on the REAL program at Tufts, please visit the REAL program’s web page.
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. In light of Tufts' commitment to maintain an international community, the University makes available a small amount of funding for talented international students. Because of the limited financial aid funding available, Tufts can offer admission to only a very small number of International applicants a year. To be considered for a need-based financial aid award from Tufts, a transfer applicant must make their financial aid intent clear on the first page of the Common Application Transfer Application, and also complete the required financial aid forms. All of our financial aid is awarded on the basis of financial need, as determined through the analysis of family resources on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE, and family tax returns. Financial aid packages are comprised of a combination of grants, loans and work study. Tufts meets 100% of the full demonstrated need of all admitted students.
The University does not offer merit aid, with the exception of National Merit Scholarship Corporation awards. ROTC program scholarships also are available.
For more information on financial aid resources at Tufts, and to access the necessary financial aid application forms, please visit Tufts’ financial aid website.
Financial aid at Tufts is renewable on an annual basis, but it is necessary to reapply each year. Tufts students are only eligible to request financial aid if they applied for aid when they made their initial application for admission. Therefore, if a transfer candidate feels as though financial assistance will be necessary at some point during their undergraduate career at Tufts, they should complete a financial aid application when applying for admission.
Housing
Approximately 75% of Tufts undergraduates live on campus. Housing may be available for transfer students but it is not guaranteed. Admitted students will be notified if housing is not available for transfer students. To learn more about housing opportunities at Tufts visit our Housing & Dining web page.
Have questions? Get answers!
Contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions via email or call (617) 627-3170.
Sign up for the mailing list through the Tufts Admissions Connection.
Learn more about students who’ve transferred to Tufts through the Tufts Transfer Alliance.
Join the Tufts Transfers Facebook Group!