🍂 Welcome to Fall for Tufts 🍂
Thank you for attending our virtual open house, Fall for Tufts! Enjoy over a month of special programs designed to introduce you to the Tufts community and help you explore your own potential path as a Jumbo. Attend panels, workshops, and mock classes of your choice while learning from current students and faculty about academics, life outside of the classroom, admissions, and more. And who knows, maybe by the end, you’ll Fall for Tufts.
A list of past events will be updated here.
Upcoming Events
Anthropology in the Supermarket
October 8th, 6:00PM EDT
Cathy Stanton, Distinguished Senior Lecturer of Anthropology
Anthropologists work to "make the strange familiar and the familiar strange"--and few things are as familiar, yet also as deeply strange, as the modern supermarket. In this class we'll look more deeply at this taken-for-granted site that literally sustains the lives of most people in many parts of the world.
Why Tufts: A Dean's Panel
October 8th, 7:00PM EDT
Alison Berryman, Director of Undergraduate Admissions
Scheri Fultineer, Dean of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts
Kyongbum Lee, Dean of the School of Engineering
Barbara Brizuela, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, ad interim
Alison Berryman, Director of Undergraduate Admissions, will moderate a panel with the three Deans of each of our undergraduate schools. Learn about the offerings in each program from the people who know them best!
Resilient Cities
October 8th, 8:00PM EDT
Laurie Baise, Professor and Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Civil and environmental engineers design the infrastructure needed to ensure a resilient city. In this mock class, we will talk about how civil infrastructure design needs to account for a variety of environmental stressors including natural disasters, climate impacts, and health outbreaks.
Student Experience Panel: International Students
October 9th, 9:00AM EDT
Join current international students to learn more about their experiences! You’ll get to hear about living in Medford/Somerville, adjusting to culture shock, and more! Be sure to bring your questions, too!
Best of Boston: Exploring The City With Students
October 9th, 7:00PM EDT
Join Tufts University, Boston University, and Northeastern University students to learn about the advantages of attending school in Boston and learn how students incorporate the city and its opportunities into their college life.
Small Town Outreach, Recruitment, and Yield (STORY) Virtual Information Session
October 9th, 8:00PM EDT
Join admissions professionals from Barnard College, Colorado College, Rice University, Tufts University, and Yale University to learn about the exceptional opportunities these schools offer. Representatives from all five schools will host a webinar featuring insights on holistic admissions, making a college list, and applying for admission and financial aid. They will also discuss the academic programs, campus life, and traditions that make these colleges a home for students from rural and small towns.
Life at SMFA Student Panel
October 10th, 6:00PM EDT
In this event, current students pursuing a degree in art will share their perspective on life at SMFA. We'll be sure to cover topics like getting involved in the community, utilizing the Fenway and Medford campuses, and exploring the Boston arts scene, and we'll leave plenty of time for you to ask questions, too.
Essay Writing Workshop with Undergraduate Admissions
October 10th, 7:00PM EDT
Writing essays is hard! And writing them for college applications feels even harder. We will help kickstart your essay-writing by providing tools for choosing a topic and getting started. We will also give some insight into how the essays are used in the world of highly selective admissions. Hopefully this session will leave you feeling a little less stressed and a little more empowered as you enter into the full-swing of college application season.
Vocal Arts for Leadership
October 10th, 8:00PM EDT
Holly Tarnower, Part Time Lecturer at the Gordon Institute
This will be an introductory look into this semester long course that focuses on the development of effective communications skills for personal and professional life.
Egyptian Identities in the Greco-Roman Mediterranean
October 15th, 6:00PM EDT
Matthew Harrington, Distinguished Senior Lecturer of Classical Studies
We will examine the intersections of the already over 3,000 year old culture and art of Egypt with the Greco-Roman world system. After discussing the development of Egyptian visual culture, we will first discuss the use of art and architecture by the Ptolemaic (Macedonian Greek) kings to concurrently strengthen their hold on power internally in Egypt and to compete on the international (Hellenistic Greek) stage; second, we will investigate how the local Egyptian peoples adopted and repurposed Greco-Roman iconography with the framework of their indigenous religion and symbolic vocabulary.
What is a Bit?
October 15th, 7:00PM EDT
Noah Mendelsohn, Professor of Computer Science
Many people know that computers "have lots of bits", but what is a bit? The answer leads us to information theory, one of the most beautiful and philosophically important developments of the 20th century. Deep understanding of bits and information storage is fundamental to understanding how computers can process not just numbers, but words, pictures, music etc. The material covered is essential for any good computer programmer, and is also useful and interesting to a wide range of audiences (no technical or math background required).
Best of Boston: Tackling Your College Search
October 15th, 8:00PM EDT
Join Northeastern University, Boston University, and Tufts University for a presentation focusing on navigating the college search process, and how to consider the multitude of factors that make a college or university the best fit for you! Time will be reserved for questions. The presentation will not be recorded.
Meet the International Center
October 16th, 9:00AM EDT
The International Center assists and supports all of Tufts’ international students through campus advocacy and programs, immigration and visa document services, and individual advising. Join the center’s Director, Andrew Shiotani, to learn more about the resources available to Tufts students and to have your questions answered!
The Trolley Problem -- Should I Flip The Switch Or Not?
October 16th, 6:00PM EDT
Monica Kim, Senior Lecturer in Philosophy
The Trolley Problem is a famous thought experiment in moral philosophy. It involves a runaway trolley that is headed towards five people tied down on a track. You are a bystander who can flip a switch to divert the trolley to hit just one person instead. Should you intervene and flip the switch? Why or why not?
Peering Into the Anxious Brain: Using Neuroimaging Techniques to Study Anxiety
October 16th, 8:00PM EDT
Lisa Shin, Professor of Psychology
What is anxiety and when does it become an anxiety disorder? How do researchers use brain imaging to better understand the underlying neurobiological basis of anxiety and its disorders? In this lecture, we will discuss the results of recent research that can provide answers to these questions.
SMFA Virtual Portfolio Workshop
October 17th, 6:00PM EDT
This program is designed to answer all of your questions about what goes into a great SMFA portfolio. The portfolio you submit with your application is our introduction to you as an artist and should be as personal as your personal essay. Join us to hear from a current student about making sense of all the portfolio advice out there and from a member of the admissions team that reviews studio art portfolios on how to make your portfolio speak in your own voice. We’ll show some examples and take your questions.
Psychology & Law
October 17th, 8:00PM EDT
Sam Sommers, Professor of Psychology
How accurate is eyewitness testimony? How effective are polygraph tests? What factors influence a jury's deliberations? Drawing on perspectives from various areas of the field, psychological scientists have examined wide range of topics within the legal system, including police interrogations, lie detection, eyewitness memory, jury selection, jury decision-making, and the insanity defense. In this mock class, we will discuss highlights from this growing area of research, as well as the general benefits and limitations of efforts to apply psychological research to the real-world domain of the legal system.
Jumbos Abroad
October 21st, 6:00PM EDT
Mala Ghosh, Associate Dean, Tufts Global Education
Aliki Karangiannis, Associate Director, Tufts Global Education
Evan Lohmann, Assistant Director, Tufts Global Education
Join Tufts Global Education to learn more about international opportunities from education abroad, international research, internships, and faculty-led short programs overseas. Hear from our students and staff about experiential learning, study abroad for a semester, or research with a faculty member. Speakers will include: Associate Dean Mala Ghosh, Associate Director Aliki Karagiannis & Assistant Director Evan Lohman as well as students returning from abroad.
Get To Know The Tufts Career Center
October 22nd, 7:00PM EDT
Donna Esposito, Executive Director of the Career Center
Learn about all the services and resources available through the Career Center. Hear from us about how we help students and alumni design and navigate their career journey. We're here every step of the way!
Autism and Neurodiversity Within Systems
October 23rd, 6:00PM EDT
Eileen Crehan, Assistant Professor of Child Study and Human Development
Our understanding of autism has deepened in recent decades but our educational, legal, and health systems still maintain outdated views on neurodiversity. We will share some of the research on current trends in accessibility of these systems and how we can change them.
A Conversation with the Division of Student Diversity and Inclusion Centers (DSDI) 2
October 23rd, 8:00PM EDT
LGBT Center
Asian American Center
Latinx Center
Indigenous Center
The Division of Student Diversity and Inclusion (DSDI) is a collective of leaders, educators, and mentors that serve as a resource for all students interested in thinking about social identities and the ways they impact our lives and our world. Join representatives from four of the DSDI Centers to learn about opportunities for events, discussion, and leadership on issues of identity, diversity, and social justice. If you are interested in learning about the other four DSDI Centers, feel free to watch the recording of our previous session from September 25th
Human Factors Engineering and Engineering Psychology: When Art and Design Meet Science and Engineering
October 24th, 6:00PM EDT
James Intriligator, Professor of the Practice, Mechanical Engineering
“Human Factors Engineering” and “Engineering Psychology” are two interdisciplinary majors offered at Tufts. In fact, Tufts is home to the country’s oldest (and some say most-distinguished!) Human Factors programs. In this short course you will learn what “human factors” is all about. You will do this by first learning a tiny bit of history, then learning a bit of method, and THEN by doing a whole lot of design, and human-factors engineering. Come see how Human Factors Engineering and Engineering Psychology are creating, changing, and optimizing the world.
What’s the Tea at Tufts? A Conversation with the Diversity Admissions Team
October 24th, 8:00PM EDT
What's the Tea at Tufts? A Conversation with Diversity Admissions Team is a panel in which Tufts students from a variety of backgrounds will speak about their experiences. Learn more about the student ambassadors on our Diversity Admissions Team here.
Pre-Health Advising at Tufts
October 28th, 4:00PM EDT
Learn about the curricular and extracurricular ways Tufts undergraduates prepare for a wide array of health professions. The pre-health advisors will discuss their program and answer questions
Student Experience Panel: Life as a Jumbo
October 28th, 6:00PM EDT
Join current students to learn more about the Tufts experience! Our students will share their stories about getting used to a new environment, their favorite parts of being a Jumbo, balancing their responsibilities, and much more. Bring your questions, too!
Religious Diversity and Community at Tufts
October 29th, 6:00PM EDT
Elyse Nelson Winger, University Chaplain
The Tufts University Chaplaincy is the hub of religious, spiritual, ethical, and cultural life for all members of the Tufts community. We welcome you, just as you are. We are here for you if you are craving more depth in your daily life, needing a caring presence in a difficult moment, or seeking resources in a particular religious or philosophical tradition. Our chaplains work together and serve different religious and philosophical communities and support anyone in our Tufts community in the fullness of their identities. Come and join chaplains and current student leaders from our diverse communities to learn more about how you can become involved at Tufts!
Past Events
Small Town Outreach, Recruitment, and Yield (STORY) Virtual Information Session
September 11th, 8:00PM EDT
Join admissions professionals from Barnard College, Colorado College, Rice University, Tufts University, and Yale University to learn about the exceptional opportunities these schools offer. Representatives from all five schools will host a webinar featuring insights on holistic admissions, making a college list, and applying for admission and financial aid. They will also discuss the academic programs, campus life, and traditions that make these colleges a home for students from rural and small towns.
Introducing Haruki Murakami
September 16th, 6:00PM EDT
Hosea Hirata, Professor of Japanese Literature
In 1991, Professor Hirata met the now famous author Haruki Murakami at Princeton University. Since then, they have been friends. In this session, Professor Hirata will introduce Haruki as a writer and a person.
Learn About Entrepreneurship at Tufts
September 17th, 6:00PM EDT
Carol Denning, Assistant Director, Derby Entrepreneurship Center
This session will be focused on the Derby Entrepreneurship Center, the Entrepreneurship Minors, other minors offered by Tufts Gordon Institute and how we support students in their entrepreneurial journey.
Inside the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts
September 18th, 6:00PM EDT
In this live presentation, we'll take a deep dive into the interdisciplinary curriculum and all-access philosophy at SMFA. Through stories and images of student and alumni work, our specialized studio spaces and campus resources, and our neighborhood in Boston, you'll learn about how SMFA prepares students to forge their path in the art world. You’ll be invited to ask questions and to join the conversation about how students take advantage of studio access and university resources.
American Musical Theatre
September 18th, 7:00PM EDT
Heather Nathans, Professor of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies
The long history of the American musical helps chart how audiences have grappled with questions of citizenship, identity, orientation, and belonging. Join us as we explore shows including Oklahoma, Sweeney Todd, Fiddler on the Roof, Hamilton, Fun Home, and more!
Quest for a Cure: An Introduction to Drug Discovery
September 18th, 8:00PM EDT
Joshua Kritzer, Professor of Chemistry
Have you ever wondered where new drugs come from, or what’s involved in a clinical trial? In this class we will explore how drugs are discovered, including exciting breakthroughs that are changing drug development. Professor Kritzer will also answer questions about chemistry, biochemistry, and undergraduate research at Tufts.
SMFA Virtual Portfolio Workshop
September 19th, 6:00PM EDT
This program is designed to answer all of your questions about what goes into a great SMFA portfolio. The portfolio you submit with your application is our introduction to you as an artist and should be as personal as your personal essay. Join us to hear from a current student about making sense of all the portfolio advice out there and from a member of the admissions team that reviews studio art portfolios on how to make your portfolio speak in your own voice. We’ll show some examples and take your questions.
Best of Boston: Tackling Your College Search
September 19th, 7:00PM EDT
Join Northeastern University, Boston University, and Tufts University for a presentation focusing on navigating the college search process, and how to consider the multitude of factors that make a college or university the best fit for you! Time will be reserved for questions. The presentation will not be recorded.
Student Experience Panel: School of Arts and Sciences
September 19th, 8:00PM EDT
Join current students who are enrolled in our School of Arts and Sciences to learn more about their experiences! You’ll get to hear about various course offerings, their favorite professors, research opportunities, and more. Be sure to bring your questions, too!
Free Will: What Is It? Do We Have It?
September 23rd, 6:00PM EDT
David Denby, Distinguished Senior Lecturer of Philosophy
Free will makes you a person. Without it, you are not morally responsible for your actions, and the projects and commitments that your actions express and that give your life meaning would not really be yours at all. On the other hand, it is a fundamental presupposition of science, everyday thought, and perhaps rationality itself that every event has a cause. The problem is that universal causation seems to be incompatible with freewill. Being a person means acting freely; an intelligible world in which rational action is possible means universal causation, but we can’t have it both ways!
SMFA Intro to Graphic Arts
September 23rd, 7:00PM EDT
Chantal Zakari, Professor of the Practice, Graphic Arts, Print, Paper
In this session, SMFA at Tufts Graphic Arts faculty will present on the development of the graphic arts from pre-industrial revolution through modernism. This will include a discussion on tools and technology, along with capitalism, and the relationship the graphic arts maintain between the fine arts and the commercial arts.
Climate Action
September 23rd, 8:00PM EDT
Parke Wilde, Professor of Environmental Studies
Learn about tools and motivation for organized climate action, using interactive worksheets to practice quantitative planning subject to a science-based carbon budget, recognizing tradeoffs across environmental, economic, and social objectives.
The Political Psychology of Emotions
September 24th, 6:00PM EDT
Deborah Schildkraut, Professor of Political Science
This lecture will explore how emotions, such as anxiety and anger, affect political attitudes and behavior. It will also consider when and why emotions might have different effects on different groups of people.
The Historian's Power -- Bias, Silence, and the Individual
September 24th, 8:00PM EDT
David Proctor, Distinguished Senior Lecturer of History
How important is the individual in history? Can one individual really change the world and alter the lives and futures of thousands or even millions? Who tells the story and is how the story is told important to determining how that person is remembered? Do the facts shape the history or do historians shape the facts? Whose voices are listened to and whose are silenced? We will explore these questions and many others as we try to define what history is and the power that the historian's pen can wield.
A Conversation with the Division of Student Diversity and Inclusion Centers (DSDI)
September 25th, 6:00PM EDT
FIRST Resource Center
Center for STEM Diversity
Africana Center
Women's Center
The Division of Student Diversity and Inclusion (DSDI) is a collective of leaders, educators, and mentors that serve as a resource for all students interested in thinking about social identities and the ways they impact our lives and our world. Join representatives from four of the DSDI Centers to learn about opportunities for events, discussion, and leadership on issues of identity, diversity, and social justice. Hear from the remaining four DSDI Centers on October 23rd!
SMFA Mock Class: Art of the Fake
September 25th, 7:00PM EDT
Kurt Ralske, Professor of the Practice and Chair of Media Arts
Pablo Picasso said: “Art is a lie -- the lie that makes us realize truth.” Artists sometimes make explorations of the boundaries between reality and illusion, between truth and fakery. How are images and beliefs connected — is it still true that “seeing is believing”? Are there parallels between the problems of truth in art, and the problems of truth in culture and politics?
Extreme Economic Inequality Resulting From Randomness
September 25th, 8:00PM EDT
Christoph Borgers, Professor of Mathematics
I went to a shopping plaza the other day to look for glass jars to store dried goods. One store had them for $2.15 a piece. I went to a second store. They had the precisely same jars for $1.50 a piece. Had I not thought of checking the second store, I would have overpaid by $0.65. Of course, such errors happen all the time. I will show you a mathematical model demonstrating that this sort of random errors --- half the time in your disfavor, half the time in your favor --- suffice to generate extreme economic inequality in the long run.
Student Experience Panel: School of Engineering
September 26th, 6:00PM EDT
Join current students who are enrolled in our School of Engineering to learn more about their experiences! You’ll get to hear about their favorite classes, project ideas, research opportunities, and more. Be sure to bring your questions, too!
Jewish Life at Tufts
September 26th, 7:00PM EDT
Rabbi Naftali Brawer, Jewish Chaplain, Neubauer Executive Director of Tufts Hillel
Join Tufts’ Rabbi and Jewish Chaplain, Naftali Brawer, and current students for a conversation on the richness of Jewish life at Tufts and the resources available to the Jewish community on campus.
We Are All Made of Stardust
September 26th, 8:00PM EDT
Andrew West, Lecturer, Chemistry
We will explore the diversity of stars in the Galaxy and learn how they produce light. We will also learn about the various paths that stars take during their evolution and why this is important to making the air we breathe and most of the atoms in our body. We will briefly discuss white dwarfs, neutron stars, supernova and even black holes - but mostly, you will walk away with a new appreciation for your stellar origins.
Civic Semester: Begin Your Tufts Education Abroad!
September 30th, 8:00PM EDT
Jessye Crowe-Rothstein, Senior Program Manager at Tisch College
Join us to learn more about the incredible opportunity to spend your first semester in Peru or Thailand with Tufts Civic Semester! Speak with program staff and alumni and discover our program combining community engaged learning, cultural immersion and bonding with a small group of Tufts peers.
Student Athlete Experience
October 1st, 6:00PM EDT
Join current Jumbos to hear about their experiences as student-athletes on campus!
QuestBridge Scholar Panel
October 1st, 8:00PM EDT
Join QuestBridge Scholars and an admissions counselor to learn about their experiences as Jumbos. Our QuestBridge Scholars will speak to the communities of QuestBridge Scholars, first-generation students, and low-income students at Tufts, along with the resources that helped them navigate their transitions to life on campus. They will also discuss the transformative academic, professional, and extracurricular opportunities they have found at Tufts. Much of the session will be devoted to live Q&A.