Application Checklist and Deadlines
A complete application includes the following items, which are required:
- Completed Common Application, Coalition Application via Scoir, or QuestBridge Application
- Responses to the Tufts Short-Answer Questions
- Official High School Transcript(s): Applicants that have attended multiple secondary schools must ensure submission of official transcripts from all secondary schools attended. Applicants that have enrolled in college or university courses may also be asked to submit official transcripts from those institutions.
- Senior Year Grades
- Counselor/School Official Recommendation
- Teacher Recommendation from a core academic teacher
- English Proficiency Test Scores
- Visual Art Portfolio: Required for applicants to the BFA or BFA+BA/BS Combined Degree programs at SMFA at Tufts. This portfolio is submitted via the Digital Portfolio tab in the online Applicant Status Page, available after an application has been received/processed.
- $75 USD Application Fee or Fee Waiver: Applicants automatically receive an application fee waiver based on responses to prompts in the application, or may choose from a select set of fee waiver criteria specific to Tufts University in the application.
Optional Application Components:
Please also note that applying for financial aid is a separate process, with its own required documents.
We reserve the right to evaluate an application and make a final decision, even if all parts of the application have not been received.
Application Deadlines
Application Type | Application Deadline | Notification Date |
---|---|---|
Early Decision I | November 3, 2025 | Mid-December |
Early Decision II | January 5, 2026 | Early February |
Regular Decision | January 5, 2026 | By April 1 |
Please also note the separate financial aid deadlines.
Materials Submission Deadlines
Applicants can use their Applicant Status Page to check on the completeness of their admissions file.
Application Materials | Early Decision I | Early Decision II | Regular Decision |
---|---|---|---|
Secondary School Report and Letters of Recommendation | Nov 21, 2025 | Jan 12, 2026 | Jan 19, 2026 |
Self-Reported Test Scores (Optional) | Nov 21, 2025 | Jan 12, 2026 | Jan 19, 2026 |
1st Quarter/Trimester Grades | Nov 21, 2025 | not required | not required |
Mid-Year Grades | Feb 16, 2026 | Jan 30, 2026 | Feb 16, 2026 |
Visual Art Portfolio (required for BFA and BFA+BA/BS applicants) | Nov 6, 2025 | Jan 8, 2026 | Jan 8, 2026 |
Request Optional Alumni Interview on Tufts Applicant Status Page | Nov 6, 2025 | Jan 8, 2026 | Jan 8, 2026 |