Tufts Blogs

Hi everyone! Welcome to my blog! If you found this page, you’re probably considering transferring to Tufts; I’m so glad you’re here. I hope you find this blog informative, engaging, and fun! 

For some background, I transferred to Tufts in September of 2024 as an incoming sophomore. I was drawn to Tufts for a variety of reasons, but I’d say the vibrant community, proximity to Boston, and endless extracurricular opportunities to immerse myself were amongst the top reasons I chose Tufts.

If I had to describe my first week at Tufts, the word that comes to mind is exciting. But honestly, one word probably isn’t enough. It was busy, a little overwhelming, and full of new experiences all at once — meeting people, learning my way around campus, and realizing that the place I had just arrived at was going to become home. Like many transfer students, I arrived with a mix of excitement and nerves. Starting over at a new university as a sophomore can feel intimidating at first. I had connected with a handful of other transfer students online over the summer, but most of the people I would meet were still complete strangers.

On the first day of orientation, I ran into one of those people I had chatted with over the summer. He introduced me to his housemate, who then introduced me to their friends, and suddenly my circle expanded in a way that felt almost effortless. It reminded me how quickly things can grow from one simple connection. That openness to introducing people and bringing others into a group is something I’ve consistently noticed among Tufts students.

Tufts also does a great job creating opportunities specifically for transfer students to meet each other. Some of these events happened before we even arrived on campus, which made the transition a lot smoother. Of course, that also meant participating in a few classic icebreakers — the kind where you suddenly have to come up with a “fun fact” about yourself on the spot. Slightly awkward? Maybe. But it also meant sitting in a room full of people who were all in the exact same position: starting a new year at a new school together.

During those first few days, most of the people you meet are other transfers and first-year students. I ended up forming some of my closest friendships during that first week. At the same time, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t occasionally wonder what it would feel like joining a class of sophomores who had already spent a year together.

Questions popped up in my mind that I think many transfer students have had at some point: Would everyone already be set in their friend groups? Would I feel out of place showing up to a club meeting as the “new sophomore”? Would it take longer to feel like I truly belonged here?

Interestingly, these questions came up often during the transfer student seminar that many of us attended during our first semester. What I realized pretty quickly was that everyone had similar thoughts at the beginning. But those worries tend to fade faster than you might expect. People invite each other to grab meals after class, explore Boston on weekends, or attend club interest meetings together. Little by little, routines and friendships begin to form.

For me, some of the most meaningful friendships actually started with very mundane moments. One was during my first club field hockey practice, where I openly admitted I had absolutely no idea how to properly hold the stick. Another came from a long conversation after my Intro to Philosophy class about free will that somehow turned into grabbing dinner afterward.

Over time, these small interactions accumulate, and you begin recognizing familiar faces in the dining hall, running into classmates on the academic quad, and making spontaneous plans that turn into lasting memories.

One thing I’ve learned since transferring is that coming into a university with a fresh perspective can actually be an advantage. Transfer students often arrive with a strong sense of curiosity and intentionality — you’re choosing this place because you genuinely want to be here. That mindset can make it easier to say yes to new opportunities and meet people outside your comfort zone.

Some of my favorite memories from Tufts have come from the everyday moments: pasta nights sitting on the living room floor with friends, late-night walks across the President’s Lawn, or dinners at Dewick that somehow turn into scrolling through someone’s entire camera roll together.

When I look back at my decision to transfer, I’m incredibly grateful that I trusted my instincts. Changing schools can feel like a big step, but sometimes those changes lead you exactly where you’re supposed to be.

If you’re considering transferring to Tufts and feeling a little uncertain about what that transition might look like, that’s completely normal. Starting somewhere new always involves a bit of adjustment. But from my experience, the Tufts community makes that transition feel a lot less daunting.

Thanks for taking the time to read this blog — I hope it gave you a helpful glimpse into what life as a transfer student here can look like. I’m wishing all prospective transfer students the best of luck throughout the application process, and hopefully I’ll see some of you around the quad in the future!

If you have any questions or just want to chat about the transfer experience, feel free to reach out to me at thomas.bulzacchelli@tufts.edu