Tufts Blogs

Throughout your college search process, you have probably researched, explored, and visited many different schools, and all of the information can probably get pretty overwhelming. You may find elements that multiple schools have in common and be left wondering, “what is unique and special about this school, specifically?” When we get this question as Tufts admissions officers, it’s hard not to immediately say that there are so many things that make Tufts stand out, because Tufts is so special to all of those who know and love it! But one thing that is truly unique to Tufts is the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life. 

The Tisch College of Civic Life is the only university-wide college of its kind in the US that is specifically focused on advancing the civic education and political engagement of young people. Tisch College combines education, research, and practice to serve as a hub for students, faculty, and community members who are committed to civic engagement and its ability to change the world for the better. So, what does this mean for you as a prospective Tufts student? Here are a couple of ways you could engage with Tisch College during your undergraduate experience:

• Tisch Scholars: The Tisch Scholars is a unique leadership development program open for first-years and sophomores to apply. Throughout their time in the program, which lasts their remaining 2-3 years at Tufts, students will take a fieldwork seminar, engage in community service or a research project with a local partner organization, and develop a culminating capstone project. All of these aspects complement each other to provide students with an impactful, real-world learning experience. 
• Tufts Civic Semester: Through the Tufts Civic Semester, incoming first-year students have the opportunity to participate in a transformational first-semester program with a focus on community engagement and social and environmental justice. Based in either Urubamba, Peru or Chiang Mai, Thailand, students join a small cohort of 8-12 peers who engage deeply with important social issues through Tufts coursework and hands-on learning with local community organizations.

While these examples from Tisch College are hopefully exciting to learn about, they certainly don’t cover nearly the full extent of all the ways Tisch College supports our students in becoming more civically engaged. Tisch College is a plentiful resource for students to take advantage of that helps set the tone for a fulfilling undergraduate experience where you can feel like you are making a difference in the community as soon as you set foot on campus. 

Want to learn even more about Tisch College’s offerings? Check them out here!