November 1st is coming! From my perspective, that’s both exciting and terrifying. On the exciting side, it means that our official introduction to the Class of 2024 has started. The admissions staff is finishing up their recruitment travel, and the results of hours on the road and miles put on the rental car will come to fruition as the applications arrive. It’s terrifying because it’s always a little unpredictable...Will we receive more applications? Will it be even harder to make decisions this year than it was last year? While I can’t answer the first question, the answer to the second is always “yes.”
I know that November 1st is nerve-wracking for some of you as well. “Should I apply Early Decision?” might be looming large in your mind. My answer to that? “Maybe.” But how will you know? If you agree with the two statements below, applying ED might be right for you.
“I have explored Tufts and feel like I belong there. I connected with the community and the academic offerings.” This is important—you will spend as much (or more!) time outside of the classroom as you will in it. So, do you connect with the vibe on campus? Can you see yourself thriving in the classroom and being a member of the student body? Do Tufts students interact with each other in a way that appeals to you?
“My reason for applying isn’t to be strategic, but rather because Tufts really is my number one choice!” This is also important. In the interest of being totally transparent, the students we admit through Early Decision I and II are students we would admit whenever they applied; it’s always been a strong group of applicants who are great fits for Tufts. Know that we take Early Decision seriously, and understand that students who decide to be in that pool have made an important decision. To that end, we try to either admit or deny in Early Decision - it can be hard to be deferred and waiting for an answer until April. I hope that piece of knowledge doesn’t scare you, but rather shows you our commitment to being as thoughtful as we can about this process.
If the statements above seem a little cloudy still, you might consider applying Regular Decision, when you’ll have the opportunity to weigh your options. There’s nothing wrong with that. Not everyone has to have a clear number one choice in November (or even in January!). While I always hope that you’ll choose Tufts, I know that you have choices, and in the end it’s most important to make the right decision for you.
Good luck with your decision! We look forward to receiving your application when the time is right for you.