Tufts Blogs

Jumbo Talk

Current Tufts Students

Inside Admissions

Lifecycle of Admissions

Sep 09
Tufts Admissions Team Inside Admissions

Hi there!

When I talk about my job in admissions, it's easiest to describe it by walking through the calendar year since it is very cyclical. I thought it would be helpful for students to see the lifecycle of admissions and how everything comes together!

Here's my handy illustrated chart, and there are more details below: 

Summer: 

  • Prepping and planning! We set goals, plan travel, and get ready for the upcoming cycle of admissions!
  • Tours: If you are able to go visit colleges, definitely do! It can be a great way to interact with current students, learn about campus culture, and maybe envision yourself there. Click here to schedule a visit to Tufts. If you can’t get to campus, we offer a virtual tour online.
  • QuestBridge: QuestBridge (QB) is a national nonprofit that connects low-income youth with leading colleges. App deadline: end of September.

Fall

  • We travel! We visit high schools, college fairs, and do presentations. Click here to see if we'll be in your area. 
  • We host Open Houses and Voices (diversity fly-in programs), two ways to get to campus and see it for yourself. 
  • Seniors make their lists, do their research, work on applications
  • Early Decision 1 (ED1) applications are due November 1st. ED1 is a binding process meaning you've decided Tufts is your number one choice and you'll enroll if accepted. 
  • In November, we read QB and ED1 applications and have committee meetings to make selections. 
  • December 2nd: QB Match! 
  • Mid December: ED1 decisions are released
  • If you haven't applied QB or ED1, ED2 and RD applications are due January 1st. 

Winter

  • After January 1st, we have the rest of our first-year applications. We spend 5 (or more) days a week, 8 (or more) hours a day reading applications. This lasts all of January and most of February. 
  • In February and March, we meet in committees to review applications and make decisions. 
  • Check the financial aid dates if you are applying for financial aid!
  • Mid February: ED2 decisions are released

Spring

  • Transfer applications are due March 15th. Click here to learn more about transfer admissions. 
  • Mid March to the end of the month, we are in 'final review' where we are making final decisions about admissions decisions. 
  • At the end of March, we release our RD decisions!
  • April: we host admits for Jumbo Days. This is a chance for admitted students to experience campus life. 
  • April/May: we are reviewing transfer applications and in committee meetings
  • May 1st: Deadline to enroll for first-year students
  • Waitlist meetings: After May 1st, we may have open spots in the class and we move into waitlist meetings. We send out those decisions on a rolling basis. 
  • May: we roll out transfer admissions on a rolling basis. 

After this lifecycle of admissions, we start it all over again!