The Transfer Checklist
Hello, everyone!
I hope that, by this time, those of you considering transferring have researched Tufts and found your reasons to join the Jumbo community.
First, I would like to apologize for not having written in some time. But as the ------> March 15th <------ deadline approaches, I am going to prioritize populating this blog with useful information for prospective transfer students.
Second, let me punctuate two things.
• There can be confusion about the nature of applying as a transfer, which can pose existential threat to your application. Personally, in addition to being born, raised, and, for the most part, educated in Brazil, at the time of the application I was dancing for a ballet company in a year-long contract, right after having finished two years of university at Miami Dade College. All that qualified me as an international-community-college transfer and gap-year student, a matter that actually took me some time to realize. With that said, I urge you not to hesitate to send emails, to me or to someone in Admissions, at any time about concerns – from being reluctant to apply, to being confused about your 'candidacy status' (e.g. domestic versus international transfer, gap year versus REAL applicant). Tufts helped me clarify mine when I needed most.
• A few days ago, I received an email from a transfer student confused about the application components. So although this might sound redundant to many, allow me to reiterate:
The Tufts Admissions website for transfer students is your holy application guide. It details everything you need to gather in order to apply here, from requirements to deadlines. DO NOT underestimate the seriousness of that list, even though many components offer leeway depending on your circumstances. For example, if you are a gap-year student, it's probable that you won't need to submit the Transfer Mid Term Report, but always check and confirm with Admissions.
Now, having cleared those two points, let me checklist the final info you should focus at right now, as a transfer applicant:
1. The best place to see what Tufts requires of transfer applicants is the website:
https://admissions.tufts.edu/apply/transfer-students/applying-as-a-transfer-candida/
From under 'Application Requirements' you will find item #1 to #8. Go over every single one of them to see what they mean. If you have questions about anything (say, for instance, you have never taken any standardized testing), email or call the Admissions Office.
2. Yes, Tufts does require high school transcripts from transfer applicants.
However, do not worry about the net impact they might have on your application. That's not your job, and these are past waters. As a transfer student, your current university credentials carry exponentially more weight.
If you haven't done so already, right now is the time to contact your high school(s) and any past academic institutions you attended, if applicable, and request your transcripts.
3. Don't go past the March 15th deadline.
Although supplemental materials can be postmarked by March 15th, I really don't advise you to wait that long. On the other hand, your Common Application and Essay Supplements cannot, by any means, be delayed.
4. Don't forget to be strictly organized and on top of the Financial Aid for Transfers page:
https://admissions.tufts.edu/tuition-and-aid/applying-for-aid/transfer-student-aid/
Tufts University is beautifully magically and yet seriously committed to fully meeting the need of admitted students. This means that, if you are accepted, financial aid will be coherent.
Full disclosure, when I saw the cost of attending Tufts University, I got automatically discouraged from applying. With a current currency exchange rate of approximately 1 US$ to 4 Brazilian Reais, it would cost me four times more to study here at Tufts. And especially because Tufts is to some extent need-aware, I was certain that I would never be here.
However, by closely looking at the percentage of students who Tufts admits and grants financial aid, even with a need-aware policy, I decided to apply blindly, nonetheless.
Both students who are citizens from the United States and citizens from other nations are eligible to receive financial aid. The nature and probable amount of grants are detailed in the page which I pasted above, so I am eager to encourage you to check it out as many times as necessary.
5. As per transfer essays (both Common Application main essay and supplements), check out my previous blog post at https://admissions.tufts.edu/blogs/jumbo-talk/post/on-transferring/
Later on the week, I intend to write more in-depth on particular instances, issues, advice, and ideas all concerning applying to Tufts as a transfer student. Stay tuned.