Tufts Civic Semester combines academic coursework with experiential learning to provide a transformational first-semester focused on community engagement and social justice.
Based in either Urubamba, Peru or the Southwestern United States, Civic Semester students join a small cohort of 10-12 peers to create a living and learning community which engages deeply with important social issues through Tufts coursework and by supporting and learning from local community organizations. With programming focused on building a civic identity and civic skills for promoting equity and justice, Civic Semester participants 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.
Southwestern United States |
Peru |
“Looking back, I would absolutely do Civic Semester again, no questions asked. Spending my first semester of college in a non-academic setting, while still learning and growing among my peers was the reset that I needed after high school. It provided me with new perspectives that I still apply to my classes at Tufts over a year later.” -Ann Yancey, Tufts Civic Semester Participant
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. International students are able to participate in Civic Semester.
Our application will open for admitted Tufts students in March, and we will review applications on a rolling basis until our final deadline of May 13, 2022. Interested students are encouraged 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!