Tufts uses the Common Application. Everything you need to apply, including our required supplement, is hosted there.
A complete application includes the following items:
1. Completed Common Application (printable)
2. Completed Tufts Supplement (printable)
3. High School transcript(s)
4. SAT Reasoning Test plus two Subject Tests OR the ACT with Writing.
- Note: Applicants to the School of Engineering taking the SAT and Subject Tests must submit either the Math Level 1 or II and either Chemistry or Physics. For applicants contemplating a science or math major within the School of Arts and Sciences, we recommend submitting either Math Level I or II and a science exam of your choice.
5. TOEFL scores (only for students for whom English is not the first language, or who attend a school where English is not the language of instruction)
6. Letters of Recommendation
- Tufts requires one letter from a teacher in a junior or senior year major academic course (math, natural science, social science, English, or a foreign language) and one letter from a guidance counselor. Additional letters, though not encouraged, may be submitted if the student feels they can add new perspective to his/her application.
- Application requires the submission of the personal statement found on the Common Application.
- As part of our supplement, Tufts requires each applicant to respond to two short answer questions (200 words or less).
- In addition to evaluating an academic fit, the admissions committee looks for ways a student may contribute to the community as a whole. They will assess the level and type of involvement in each activity and may ask questions such as: Has the student been a significant contributor or leader? How has the involvement contributed to the school or larger community? Does the student have a special talent in a particular area? We do not expect that every student be captain, president or editor-in-chief; rather, we look for meaningful involvement with their school and/or community.
10. $70 Application Processing Fee or Fee Waiver
- Students may have the application fee waived by submitting one of the following items:
• A written request from your college counselor or school official who can attest that the fee would represent a financial hardship.
• A College Board Request for Waiver of the Application Fee form.
You may consider the waiver approved unless you are contacted otherwise by a member of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Without an application fee, or an approved fee waiver, we cannot continue to process your application to Tufts University.
Application fee waiver requests, recommendations, or other supplementary material can be mailed to:
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Bendetson Hall
Tufts University
Medford, MA 02155-7057
11. Alumni Interview (Not required)
- Nearly every first-year applicant to the university will have the opportunity for a personal interview in his or her local area with a member of the Tufts Alumni Admissions Program (TAAP). Once the Tufts Supplemental Form* of the application has been submitted and received by the admissions office, the student will be contacted by a member of the local alumni committee to schedule an interview.
*Applicants must opt-in on their Tufts Supplemental Form in order to continue with the interview process. The sooner you submit your Tufts Supplement the sooner you can schedule your alumni interview!
These links may be helpful if you have further questions:
- Applying Early Decision
- Special Degree Programs
- Applying as an International Student
- Transfer Student Information
- e-mail us