Apply to Tufts Civic Semester Now by Clicking Here!
"Looking back, I would do the Civic Semester all over again. Those four months of my life have incontestably shaped so much of the perspective, goals, and interactions that I currently have. My advice for students considering the program: ask yourself who you want to be, and how you expect to become that person: is it by taking risks and stepping outside of yourself, or sticking to what you already know?" -Waideen Wright, 2019 Civic Semester Participant
While we have made the difficult decision to cancel the Tufts 1+4 Bridge Year for the 2021-2022 academic year due to COVID-19, we are thrilled to offer a new Civic Semester experience based in the Southwestern United States for Fall 2021.
Tufts Civic Semester
The Tufts Civic Semester combines academic coursework with hands-on work on local issues to provide a transformational first-semester experiential learning experience with a focus on community engagement and social justice.
Based in New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas, Civic Semester students join a small cohort of 10-12 peers to create a living and learning community which will engage deeply with issues of environmental sustainability and immigrant rights, both through for-credit virtual coursework with Tufts faculty and by supporting local community organizations. With programming focused on building a civic identity and civic skills for promoting equity and justice, Civic Semester participants will return to the Tufts campus with a deep friendships, a stronger sense of self, and a clearer understanding of how they want to have an impact during their time at Tufts and beyond. Program costs are covered by tuition and fees, and applicants to the program can utilize their Tufts financial aid package.
Curious what it’s like to participate in a Tufts First-Year Global Program? Check out the video below from our Tufts 1+4 program! While the Civic Semester will be different, the friendships and connections students make, and the deep personal and academic growth they experience, will be much the same!
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Application Process
Interested students can complete the Tufts Civic Semester application from their Tufts applicant portal. Due to degree restrictions, only incoming students in the School of Arts & Sciences, not including BFA and SMFA combined degree students and participants in the BLAST program, are eligible to apply.
We are accepting and reviewing applications on a rolling basis until our final deadline of May 7, and invite interested students to apply early. The application asks students to submit a few brief paragraphs to share more about themselves and their interest in the program. Finalists are invited to participate in online interviews. Neither an application nor acceptance to Tufts Civic Semester represents a binding commitment, and we invite all interested students to apply.
Learn More
Visit the Tisch College Civic Semester website, read Fellow blog posts, or contact firstyearglobal@tufts.edu for more information!