There were two factors I prioritized during my college search: community and opportunity.
I knew coming into college that I wanted to study engineering. This meant that I often was looking at universities with large student bodies and technical heavy programs. While these schools offered great academic opportunities, I also knew that environment was not where I would thrive. I wanted a college experience that would allow me to grow not only as an engineer, but also as a well-rounded individual.
I was looking for a close-knit community where students challenged each other to grow while supporting each other’s success. Tufts offered exactly that. When I visited Tufts in the spring of my senior year, I immediately noticed the sense of camaraderie among students. Whether it was the groups gathered on Prez Lawn having a little picnic or the students collaborating in the engineering maker spaces, there was a genuine spirit of connection and support. Since arriving at Tufts, I have found those first impressions to be true. The people at Tufts are a community of students and faculty who are academically rigorous, but not in a way that discourages collaboration. Instead, students are invested in not only their own academic and professional success, but also in each other’s growth as thoughtful, intellectually curious individuals. I have been fortunate to form friendships with people from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, and those relationships have broadened my perspective in ways I never expected. The willingness of students and faculty to invest in each other’s growth shows that Tufts has an incredibly caring community.
Opportunity was equally important to me. I knew I wanted to become involved in research as an undergraduate student, and Tufts stood out for the accessibility of its research opportunities. Students can begin participating in research as early as their first year, and I found professors to be welcoming and enthusiastic about involving undergraduates in their work. Beyond the opportunities available on campus, Tufts’ location in the Boston area was a major draw. Being part of such a vibrant academic community has allowed me to make connections with students, professionals, and researchers beyond Tufts.
After three years at Tufts, I can confidently say that the qualities that first attracted me to the university have remained true. Tufts has provided an environment where I feel encouraged to pursue new challenges, supported when I take risks, and inspired by the people around me. Ultimately, it offered the combination of community and opportunity that I was seeking—a place where I could grow academically as an engineer while also developing into a more thoughtful, engaged, and well-rounded person.