Welcome to the Class of 2021!
As the Class of 2021 matriculated, Dean of Admissions Karen Richardson welcomed them to campus and into a community of their peers.
Good afternoon! Congratulations to the Tufts University Class of 2021 and our enrolling transfer students! As Dean of Admissions, I am proud and humbled to offer you a warm welcome to this campus that you will call home for this next stage in your lives. This class will forever hold a special place in my heart as the first class I had the honor of admitting to the university. And you, as individuals and as a whole, give the university a lot of reasons to be proud.
Last year, Tufts received a record 21,101 applications. And as our admissions team worked its way through this vast and incredibly talented pool, we made careful and deliberate choices to help jump-start a community of smart, engaged, creative and collaborative individuals. We were able to offer admission to just 14.8% of those who applied, and you are sitting here because our office saw something special in each and every one of you. At the end of the process – the endless campus tours, the multiple information sessions, the tests, the writing of essays, the building of portfolios, the deadlines – you honored us by saying “yes” to our offer of admission.
Statistically, you stand out. The Class of 2021 hails from 44 countries outside of the United States. This year we welcome students from Poland, Lithuania, Rwanda, and Ecuador among the countries represented. You come from 45 states as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. (And a special shout-out to BOTH Dakotas for being represented!) 109 of you are the children of Tufts alumni. 31 are the children of Tufts faculty or staff. 162 of you are among the first generation in your family to pursue a bachelor's degree. Women represent 44% of the incoming School of Engineering class - a record high.
Your academic interests are broad but connected in a very “Tuftsy” way, as you aim to combine your studies in interesting ways and to apply knowledge from one area to another. The study of Economics slightly outpaced an interest in International Relations for this class, with Biology coming in a very close third in the School of Arts and Sciences and Mechanical Engineering the box most checked in the School of Engineering.
Through the pieces of your life that you shared with us in your essays, portfolios and recommendation letters, my colleagues and I learned a lot about you – pieces that made us want to make you part of the Tufts community. You are here because, not only did you prove yourselves academically accomplished, you also showed us that you would bring intangible yet significant gifts to this campus.
For example, you bring a high level of curiosity about the world around you. Whether it’s a commitment to metaphysics that “borders on the romantic,” research that looks at the intersection of mathematical set theory and music theory, or exploring the natural world and finding that place where science and faith meet, you have already challenged yourselves to reach further in order to learn more, and you will continue to do that here at Tufts.
You are not afraid to try new things. From the artists who wrote about trial and error in their work, where failure has become an important part of growth, to being a member of the first graduating class from your high school and learning to build the school community from the ground up, you have proven yourselves able and willing to work with others in the pursuit of new knowledge. In the words of a classmate from Ghana, “Because I feel every idea counts, learning from different people is a must for me. I look forward to brainstorming with my new friends in our attempts to make the world a better place.”
You value the differing opinions of others, essential to thriving in a community like Tufts. To quote one of your new classmates from Cedar Falls, Iowa, “Sometimes at school I get to debate politics, and not everyone agrees with me, and it’s beautiful because I know dissonance fades into harmony; discourse dissolves into compromise.” Another classmate from Oklahoma tells us that “I’ve gained an incredible amount of respect for those who don’t think like I do because they’ve been my friends, mentors and educators throughout my formative years…Above all, Oklahoma has made me a more compassionate person because I’ve seen the real people behind world views that differ vastly from my own.”
In a world facing some uncertainty, you, the Tufts Class of 2021, represent a clear hope for the future, with your optimistic approach to this next step in your lives. While this first year is certain to have some surprises, know that challenge is a good thing. It’s part of the college experience, and it’s a major part of any growth experience.
Your stellar academics and your accomplishments outside of the classroom are incredibly impressive, but they represent only the very beginning of your journey here at Tufts. Those things got you here, but what lies ahead – the community you build and the choices you make as a Jumbo – are what’s important now. We’ve done our part in bringing together an intentional community of artists, engineers, scientists, philosophers – all of them learners. Now it’s your turn to reach out to others, take in knowledge about new things, and contribute your own special brand to this dynamic campus. One of your classmates who will earn a dual degree with the New England Conservatory wrote, “I remember that my job as a musician isn’t to glorify myself, but to pass the light on.” Pass the light on, friends. I can’t wait to see what you do.
On behalf of my colleagues in Bendetson Hall, congratulations, have fun, and go Jumbos!