Tufts Blogs

School is out. You’ve wrapped up your trigonometry final, written all there is to write about the Alphas, Betas, Epsilons and Omegas-which one does not belong? This is a test-from Brave New World, and for many of you, you are gearing up to procrastinate the 800 pages worth of APUSH summer reading you’ve been assigned. (I’ve been there, you’ll make it through.) Now there is finally enough space in your brain to start thinking about the college application process, which includes touring a myriad of different campuses. The Tufts Admissions office is bustling with visitors during the summer months. We offer three information sessions a day, followed by a comprehensive tour of campus. But as hard as we may try to make your summer visit as authentic as possible, there is one thing we cannot provide: real, live Tufts students. In my opinion, speaking with current students is the most valuable resource for getting a true sense of fit. Unfortunately, they are off partaking in impressive internships, traveling to cool places, and more generally, enjoying their hard-earned time off. Here are some tips for how to make the most of your summer visit at Tufts when there are no Jumbos around to spend it with:

Take Advantage of Your Time with Your Tour Guide:

Keep in mind, your tour guides will most likely be the only Tufts students you encounter on campus. Use them to your advantage!

• Don’t be afraid to chat with them between talking points on your tour. Separate from your parents and ask them whatever questions you might have about student life at Tufts. Ask them about their own college search, why they chose Tufts, and what they've loved most about it since becoming a student here. They are very approachable and don’t walk backwards.
• Have more questions once the tour is finished? Interested in learning more about a specific program at Tufts? We have a list of current students who have volunteered to answer questions about their specific major. Email the admissions officer for your area and ask to be put in touch with a student!

When at Tufts, do as the Jumbos do:

Although the student population is sparse over the summer, it is still worthwhile to peruse the spaces on campus most frequented by Tufts students in order to get the most accurate sense of what it’s like to be a Jumbo during the school year:

• Take a stroll through the Tisch Library (aka Club Tisch), grab a snack at the Tower Café, and walk upstairs to the Media Center.
• Make your way down to the Campus Center, eat lunch at The Commons, and challenge a buddy to a pick-up game of ping pong.
• Visit the Steve Tisch Sports Center, check out the facilities in the gym-go ahead, test out the treadmills-and cast your eyes upon the trophy case in the front lobby that showcases Tufts’ eight team national championships won since 2010.
• Soak up some sun on the Prez Lawn and crack open the latest edition of Jumbo.

Go to Davis Square

After you've seen all that campus has to offer, take the ten minute walk to Davis Square, our local downtown and closest subway stop.

• Catch a movie at the historic Somerville Theater. Movies showing before 5 pm are only $7, and regular price tickets are the cheapest in all of Boston!
• Enjoy music in the square. Local musicians will plug in their instruments and play throughout the evening. (Gotta love the keyboardist in the bear costume).
• Grab dinner at any of the local eateries-you can’t go wrong with Red Bones, Painted Burro, or the Boston Burger Company. (Feeling adventurous? Try the King: hamburger, banana, peanut butter, cinnamon sugar, and bacon. YUM). Stop by JP Licks afterwards for some delicious ice cream.

If You Loved It/Aren’t Able to Visit in the Summer:

• Come back in the fall when students are on campus. The spaces you saw in the summer will have a whole different energy about them.
• Attend one of our fall open houses. We offer Engineering (including Women in Engineering!) and STEM programming throughout the months of September and October to allow prospective students the opportunity to meet with students, faculty, and see our STEM curriculum in action!
• If you are unable to make it to campus, be on the lookout for a member of the Tufts admissions team while we are on the road. Attending high school visits or our regional Who Gets In And Why (WGIAW) is a great way to learn more about Tufts and demonstrate your interest (which goes a long way in the admissions process for students who do not live within driving distance of campus!) Feel free to get in contact with your regional representative to find out if/when they are visiting your high school.
• Take the virtual tour on our website!