Tufts Blogs

If you’re interested in SMFA at Tufts, you’ll be applying to Tufts directly into the BFA or Combined Degree program via the Common App, Coalition App, or Questbridge app. You can find tons of info and FAQ on the application process here. Now that we’ve got the basics out of the way, let’s do a deep dive on Early Decision. 
 
Early Decision is a binding application, meaning that if you apply during the ED1 or ED2 application rounds and we admit you to Tufts, you’ll be coming to Tufts. It’s a big, capital-D Decision, one that has a big impact on your educational pathway, so before hitting submit you should be sure that you can answer the following questions with a big ol’ YES: Is Tufts my top choice? And can I afford to come to Tufts? How do you figure out if you check both of these boxes? Read on for our recommendations. 
 
 
Is Tufts my top choice? 
 
We very rarely see applicants whose first point of contact with Tufts Admissions is their Early Decision application. Typically, students who’ve applied Early have previously engaged with us in ways that helped them determine that Tufts is the right school for them:  

• A virtual or in-person SMFA Fenway campus tour helps you feel immersed in our community and suss out if we’ve got the studio spaces and facilities that relate to your artistic interests.  
• A one-on-one portfolio review introduces you to the kinds of conversations our students have surrounding their artwork and helps you see how your artistic practice will translate to our unique school.  

And other admissions programs like Fall for Tufts offer mock classes, student panels, and sessions about identity centers and other University resources so that you can really picture yourself here.  
 
 
Can I afford to come to Tufts? 

Long story short: yes, you can. We meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for all of our students regardless of citizenship or documented status for the entire length of your program. We cover the gap between your Expected Family Contribution, as determined by our Financial Aid office based on your financial documentation, and the total cost of attendance, no matter how large that gap is. This 100% need-met financial aid system ensures that you don’t pay more than what you can reasonably afford to come to Tufts. 
 
You can get an estimate of your financial aid package using our Net Price Calculator and MyIntuition tools. You should apply Early Decision if the estimate that you see makes sense for you and your family. You’ll receive your financial aid package shortly after your admissions decision. In the unlikely event that our need-based award does not align with your family’s sense of what you can afford, and it can’t be resolved through further conversation with the Financial Aid office, we can release you from your binding agreement to enroll. 
 
 
To sum it all up from the Admissions perspective, you should apply through an Early Decision round if you love everything about SMFA at Tufts (well, maybe not everything – you might hate parks with picturesque skyline views or have a thing against rhinoceros sculptures, idk.) We love reading Early Decision applications because their excitement is contagious – those students have really connected with what our school has to offer. But we know that it’s not the application round for everyone; in fact, 2/3 of our applications come in during the Regular Decision round. If, for any reason, you’re questioning whether you really want to apply ED, consider Regular Decision. We’ll be thrilled to get to know you through your application and portfolio, regardless of when they arrive in our queue.