Greetings from Medford! I am delighted to hear that you are interested in the health professions and the preparation that Tufts offers. My name is Carol Baffi-Dugan and I work with all of our Tufts students (and alumni) who plan to pursue careers in medicine, dental medicine, veterinary medicine, public health, occupational therapy, nutrition and the array of other professions within the health care field.
Based out of the Academic Advising office, my job is to help students plan their curriculum, explore the various health care professions, and ultimately apply to the graduate program of their choice. The questions and answers below will give you some idea of what Tufts offers and why the biomedical and health sciences are a signature of Tufts University.
Best of luck in your college search!
Carol Baffi-Dugan
Program Director for Health Professions Advising
Pre-Health Professions Frequently Asked Questions
- Is pre-med a major?
- Is there a pre-vet major?
- Do you have an accelerated program with the medical/veterinary/dental school?
- What is the Early Acceptance Program to the Tufts School of Medicine? How many students apply and get admitted?
- What percent of pre-medical/veterinary/dental students get accepted to medical/veterinary/dental school?
- Can I take classes at the medical/veterinary/dental school?
- If I am pre-med/vet/dental, can I still study abroad?
- What percent of students at Tufts are pre-med?
- Is there a good support system for students who are interested in the pre-health professions?
- Are there high levels of competition amongst pre-med students, for instance not wanting to study with anyone else, elevated stress, hoping everyone else is failing, etc?
- Other than professors, are there any resources that will be available to me as far as being able to ask questions and receive help concerning science classes?
- Will I have help choosing my classes and direction as far as which science classes to start with?
- Throughout my four years, will I have any guidance directing me towards making good decisions about classes as well as which schools to apply to and what other health career options there are?
- Will I only be focused on the sciences or will I have a liberal arts experience?
- Can I do engineering and still be pre-med/pre-vet/pre-dental?
"Pre-med" is a career choice, not a major, and students prepare for medical school through any major they choose. Medical schools are looking for applicants who pursue a challenging curriculum that excites them and in which they excel. There are eight core science requirements for medical school, with an occasional extra requirement or two, and these can be completed within any Tufts major. In the past we have students majoring in everything from art history to mechanical engineering applying and being admitted to medical school.
Much like the pre-med response, we do not have a "pre-vet major" at Tufts. I can tell you that perhaps a couple of dozen first-year students each year express interest in pursuing veterinary medicine. As with any first year student interest, some change their minds. Others find veterinary medicine later in their career.
To supplement the academic coursework, we have a very active Prevet Society here at Tufts with approximately 40 members. They are closely involved with the students, professors, and research occurring at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Each year, we have about 5-10 applicants to graduate programs in veterinary medicine and about 90-100% of them are admitted to the schools of their choice. In addition, we have just begun an early acceptance program whereby sophomores can apply to the Cummings School, be admitted, and then have a spot in the class two years in advance. Last year, the Cummings School admitted two of the four students who applied to that program
Do you have an accelerated program with the medical/veterinary/dental school?
Tufts undergraduates have the opportunity to apply to our medical, dental and veterinary schools earlier than the general application period. Sophomores may apply to the medical or veterinary school and know two years in advance where they will study after college graduation. This is not an accelerated program. First year students (freshmen) can apply to the dental school and begin an accelerated seven-year program during their junior year at Tufts.
What is the Early Acceptance Program to the Tufts School of Medicine? How many students apply and get admitted?
The Early Acceptance Program is an opportunity for Tufts sophomores to apply to Tufts medical school and learn of their acceptance prior to beginning their junior year. Each year approximately 25 sophomores choose to apply, about 15-20 are interviewed and about 10-15 are admitted. Competitive applicants have completed five of the eight pre-med requirements and have maintained a 3.5 GPA. The acceptance is not binding and students may decide to apply in the regular applicant pool after their junior year.
For more information on the Early Admission to the Tufts School of Medicine program and similar programs at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts School of Dental Medicine, and programs in Public Health, please click here.
What percent of pre-medical/veterinary/dental students get accepted to medical/veterinary/dental school?
Tufts works with and supports all its students who choose to apply to medical, dental or veterinary school. Our overall acceptance rate to U.S. medical schools is between 85-90% each year. If you focus on those students who maintained a 3.5 GPA, it rises to over 90%. Acceptance to dental school is between 90-100% each year, and to veterinary school, it is about 85-90%.
Students matriculate into schools across the country but many do choose to remain at Tufts; the professional schools at our university are very favorably inclined towards Tufts undergraduates.
Can I take classes at the medical/veterinary/dental school?
Tufts undergraduates do attend lectures, participate in research and do volunteer work at our schools; however, the medical, dental and veterinary schools do not allow part-time students or those who are not degree candidates to take courses.
If I am pre-med/vet/dental can I still study abroad?
There are a good number of students each year who are pre-med and study abroad. Tufts strongly encourages students to study abroad, but to plan their travels early with an advisor from our Health Professions Advising office. Medical, veterinary and dental schools value the exposure to another culture and language, ability to live in a new environment and sense of curiosity that study abroad reflects.
What percent of students at Tufts are pre-med?
At every college in the country there are large numbers of first-year students who say or think they are "pre-med." They often do not know what that entails and have made the statement lacking any idea of alternative curricular paths or career options. As students grow, mature and expand their horizons they determine that medicine is indeed for them and they are willing to put in the long hours to get there, or they discover something of greater interest and a better match for their talents.
Since there is no "pre-med major" at Tufts, it is difficult to know how many students actually consider themselves pre-med at any one time. Typically, Tufts has about 100 applicants to medical school each year. Many other students pursue a variety of health professions including dentistry, optometry, occupational therapy, advanced practice nursing, public health, nutrition and more.
Is there a good support system for students who are interested in the pre-health professions?
Tufts has a full-time health professions advisor who meets with students individually, holds workshops, has a monthly electronic newsletter, maintains a website, plans programs and speakers and collaborates closely with various faculty. When students are ready to apply to a health-professional school, the advisor works with a faculty committee of 12 that interviews students and provides a letter of recommendation for their application.
Are there high levels of competition amongst pre-med students, for instance not wanting to study with anyone else, elevated stress, hoping everyone else is failing, etc?
Tufts' pre-med/vet/dental students work very hard and are certainly stressed at times; however, the culture here is one of collaboration, not competition. Students frequently study together in small groups, go to professors' office hours in pairs, and help each other with homework problems.
Other than professors, are there any resources that will be available to me as far as being able to ask questions and receive help concerning science classes?
All professors, including those that teach large introductory science classes, are available to meet with students individually. Most classes also have recitation sections wherein students meet in small groups with a teaching assistant to discuss the topics or problems from the week, or prepare for an exam. In addition, Tufts has an Academic Resource Center that offers many services - among them is free tutoring from trained resident tutors who specialize in certain subjects and usually work closely with the professors (so they know what material is being covered and when exams are being held). Lastly, students often work with study groups and help one another with questions and assignments.
Will I have help choosing my classes and direction as far as which science classes to start with?
Every Tufts student has an individual academic advisor whose role is to help the student choose appropriate classes and fulfill general graduation requirements. In addition, every student has a Class Dean who can advise on their courses. Also, pre-med/pre-vet/pre-dental students have the health professions advisor at their disposal, who holds office hours and individual appointments to help students make good choices about their curriculum.
Throughout my four years, will I have any guidance directing me towards making good decisions about classes as well as which schools to apply to and what other health career options there are?
The health professions advisors at Tufts believe that any student interested in the field should be fully informed about the various professions within it. Once students research their interests, gain some experience, and determine their career choice, advisors will help them plan strategically to meet their goals.
Will I only be focused on the sciences or will I have a liberal arts experience?
Both Tufts and medical/veterinary/dental schools will encourage you to obtain a broad-based education as part of your preparation for a career in the health sciences. Understanding the world and its different cultures is extremely valuable to future healthcare providers, which is why the liberal arts experience is stressed for all pre-health students.
Can I do engineering and still be pre-med/pre-vet/pre-dental?
Absolutely. Each year, Tufts has several students from the School of Engineering apply to med/vet/dental programs.
