Tufts Blogs

So you’ve gotten into college… congrats! But now what…

For high school seniors, the spring season inaugurates not just the return of warm weather but also the intimidating month of admitted student days! Going to college open houses can be overwhelming, but especially after having gotten in, there’s a lot of pressure to find the perfect school you see yourself at in just a one day visit before making the big commitment decision. I was lucky enough to have been able to visit Tufts twice before my commitment—first, by doing a self-tour of the campus before applying, and then a second time on Jumbo Day before committing. The events are a great way to meet current students and faculty, get a lay of the land, understand the opportunities that are offered at Tufts, and meet some of your potential future classmates! 

So whether you’ve visited this campus before or this is your first time, here are some tips to make the most of your Jumbo Day at Tufts:

1. Pick a mock class that sounds interesting! One unique aspect of Jumbo Days that you won’t get from a regular campus tour is the opportunity to sit in on a lecture with a professor here at Tufts! And there is usually a selection to choose from: Egyptian Identities in the Greco-Roman Mediterranean; The End of the World, Plan B; How to Grow a Body Part; Composing on the Spot; etc. 
2. Make new friends! One benefit of getting to attend sample classes is that you will meet other students who likely share two things in common with you: (1) They are considering becoming future Jumbos, and (2) they are likely interested in similar studies as you! At my Jumbo Day, I attended a Biology lecture and met so many people who shared similar interests as me. It’s definitely intimidating to start conversations with strangers but the stakes are so low! Though I was worried that it would feel awkward, I found that it was very easy to simply turn to the person walking or sitting next to me. In fact, not only did I make friends at Jumbo Days that I’ve stayed in touch with here, I've actually also made friends at admitted student days from other colleges that I didn't commit to, and I've stayed connected with them! These open house days are a small taste of what Orientation week will be like—meeting lots of new people from all over the world while familiarizing yourself with a new campus. Everyone's a little excited and nervous, so don’t shy away from saying hi!
3. Get a (literal) taste of what dining at Tufts is like! No doubt, all this walking and networking can be exhausting. Luckily, Students and their families have the opportunity to enjoy lunch at one of Tufts’ two main dining halls: Dewick MacPhie on lower campus or Carmichael Hall on upper campus. Both dining halls are self-serve with a variety of entrees, a salad bar, and dessert. While Dewick accommodates more people on its two levels, I am a Carm fan myself and have been since I first ate there on Jumbo Day! College dining halls often get a bad rep but I personally was pleasantly surprised by the food they serve here at Tufts. My mom and I sat by the windows at Carm and got to debrief our mornings, which was a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the day.
4. Visit all the departments you want to, but don’t overexert yourself! On top of everything I listed, you can also visit academic departments, peruse various student organizations in Community Fair (highly recommend checking out the Pre-O tables!), visit a science laboratory or the art gallery, stop by cultural houses, or speak with various student services and discuss financial aid. Definitely take the day to explore what you need to make the right decision for you but don’t feel pressured to do everything. I’m not even sure it’s possible! You will have plenty of time to explore all that Tufts has to offer in the academic year and before then, Tufts offers many online resources where you can get the same information. One of the equally insightful things I did during my Jumbo Day was to simply sit on a lawn chair with my mom and take in the campus on our own. At the end of the day, you want to be able to imagine yourself living on this campus. Going for a walk alone is something I’ve found to be equally informative as all the information that is thrown at you at these various events. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, just take a deep breath, remember to hydrate, and give yourself a moment. 

Admitted student days are meant to be fun, informative, and low-pressure now that you’ve gotten in! Everyone’s itinerary will look a little different so don’t feel pressured to hit every stop or the stops that everyone else is going to. Committing to college is a personal decision and Jumbo Day is a day for you to make the most of your day, whatever that means to you!