'Tis the season for college visits! This fall, I'll be a senior at Tufts studying civil engineering. I have a hard time believing that just a few years ago, I had no idea what school I was going to end up at. For me, visiting schools really started to make the college application process feel real. It was the first time I had to think about whether or not I could picture myself at a certain school. I looked for the quads and the picturesque campuses, sampled all the food and researched a variety of engineering programs. And I ultimately chose Tufts without knowing too much about the engineering school. I had read about all the departments and looked up the professors in the civil engineering department, and I had attended an engineering information session. "I love it!!" I said after hearing more from Dean Knox at April Open House. But I didn't really get a feel for what engineering at Tufts is like until I was finally here freshman year.
And I found that I really did love it. I fell in love with the engineering school here at Tufts along with everything else Tufts has to offer. I love that we're a small community and that each major has its own personality. Each department is small enough that you'll know pretty much everyone in your year, and you'll get to know your professors as well, which is great for getting different opportunities in research and internships. I love that my classmates and I are involved in activities within and outside of the engineering school, in groups such as the American Society of Civil Engineers and Engineers without Borders to varsity sports and community service organizations. And of course, I love our Engineering Day in the spring with random games and free things!
As a prospective engineering student, a fantastic time to visit is during one of our engineering open houses! I love volunteering for our engineering open houses (EOH's!) because I want to convey everything that I just described to any and all prospective students I meet. Because as much as I can tell you about it, showing you is so much more fun for you and me! EOH is a great time to hear from students and professors, and if you have a sense of what you would like to major in, to learn more about the classes and opportunities each department has to offer. You'll also have the opportunity to catch a meal with some current students, which is probably my favorite part of any EOH. What better way is there to get to know Tufts, than through good food and conversation?! So come hang out with us for our open houses this fall! We can't wait to meet you!