Frequently Asked Questions

On this page, you will find common questions about Voices of Tufts. We hope you find these responses helpful. If you have any additional questions, please email voices@tufts.edu.

Voices of Tufts FAQs

What is Voices?
What happens during Voices?
When is Voices?
Is Voices an overnight program?
What is the difference between the two Voices programs?
Who attends Voices?
Is the program open to students outside the United States?
How many students apply each year?
What kind of information does the application ask for?

Will my application be reviewed before you receive my transcript?
Do I have to submit an official high school transcript?
When will I find out if I have been invited to attend Voices?
Is it true that any student who applies to Voices can apply to Tufts for free?
Do my parents or guardians need to do anything for Voices?
Can parents or guardians participate in Voices of Tufts?
I want to participate in Voices, but I have a conflict. What do I do?
I’m applying to Tufts through the QuestBridge National College Match. Am I still eligible for Voices?
Who should I contact for additional information?

What is Voices?

Voices of Tufts (or “Voices” for short) is our signature visit program, designed to introduce high school seniors to the way students create a sense of belonging and community at Tufts University. Through conversations with current students, sessions focused on the college application process and transition, and opportunities to learn more about Tufts, Voices aims to inform and empower students as they navigate the college search process.

What happens during Voices?

Students will spend some time getting to know Tufts and the members of our community, and hopefully leave the programs with a better understanding of whether Tufts is somewhere they would want to attend college! The programs include a variety of programs and activities, including interactive student panels, candid conversations from representatives of our campus resource centers, social programming, overviews of the admissions process, and more. Rumor has it, there may even be some swag in store for students who participate!

When is Voices?

During the Fall 2026 Semester, we will offer two Voices of Tufts programs:

Virtual Voices of Tufts: Sunday, September 27, 2026
Virtual Voices of Tufts is an active, engaging, joyful opportunity to get to know Tufts University. Through a one-day online program, participants will learn more about Tufts from current students, connect with representatives from the Division of Student Diversity and Inclusion and University Chaplaincy, and receive practical insights into the college admissions process.

Voices of Tufts: A Day on the Hill: Sunday, October 18, 2026
Voices of Tufts: A Day on the Hill is a dynamic, one-day program on the Medford/Somerville campus that brings the college search process to life for prospective students. Participants will receive practical insights into the college admissions and financial process, get to know the Tufts University campus, connect with current students, and discover how Tufts supports students throughout their transition to college. Participants will arrive on campus in the morning and depart in the late afternoon.

Is Voices an overnight program?

No. Voices of Tufts: A Day on the Hill is a one-day program in Fall 2026 and will not include an overnight stay.

What is the difference between the two Voices programs?

Voices of Tufts: A Day on the Hill is an in-person, one-day immersive experience. Participants visit the Tufts University Medford campus, attend sessions on the college application process and transition, and connect directly with students, faculty, and staff. Because this is a one-day program, students within 150 miles of Tufts University's Medford campus will be prioritized in the selection process. Reimbursement for travel expenses may be offered to participants in the program. Applicants should indicate their request for travel reimbursement when completing the Voices application.

Virtual Voices of Tufts is an online, one-day program that runs from approximately 12:00-6:00PM Eastern. The program includes virtual tours, opportunities to connect with the current Tufts students, the Division of Student Diversity and Inclusion, and the University Chaplaincy, and online workshops about the college application process. Virtual Voices of Tufts participants who are admitted to Tufts University and demonstrate financial need will be eligible for up to $500 in travel reimbursement to support visiting Tufts during April 2027.

Both programs help students learn about Tufts and provide opportunities to engage with the university community and the application process.

Who attends Voices?

Any rising senior who attends high school in the US is eligible to apply. While Voices has traditionally attracted participants with strong academic records from a variety of backgrounds — including but not limited to first-generation college-bound students, LGBTQIA+ students, students from low-income backgrounds, students with disabilities, and students from rural communities — any student interested in learning more about the Tufts community is encouraged to apply. Most importantly, we seek to invite high-achieving students who are kind, collaborative, civically-engaged, and interested in creating a more inclusive world. Students within 150 miles of Tufts University’s Medford campus will be prioritized in the selection process for Voices of Tufts: A Day on the Hill.

Is the program open to students outside the United States?

Only students currently residing in the United States will be selected. Non-U.S. citizens living and studying in the U.S. are welcome to apply.

How many students apply each year?

In recent years, we have received over 3,000 applications for approximately 300 spaces in the program. Because of the high volume of applications we receive, we are unfortunately unable to offer a space in the program to many students who may be qualified for admission to Tufts. Given the selectivity of the program and limited spaces available, each year, many students who are not selected for Voices of Tufts are successfully admitted to Tufts University.

What kind of information does the application ask for?

The application is a shorter, Tufts-specific version of a college application – it will ask for information about you, about the academic experiences you’ve had so far, and about the academic experiences you hope to have in college.

We will ask you to tell us about the courses you plan to take during your senior year, and we will also ask you to upload your full high school transcript reflecting grades 9-11 (or to have your counselor send us a copy on your behalf).

We will also ask you to thoughtfully respond, in 250 words or less, to at least one short-answer question.

The application will also ask what size t-shirt you wear (yay Tufts swag!).

Will my application be reviewed before you receive my transcript?

No – we will only review and invite students who have fully completed the application requirements (including the online application and the high school transcript).

Do I have to submit an official high school transcript?

No. We accept official and unofficial transcripts, submitted by students, counselors, or school administrators.

When will I find out if I have been invited to attend Voices?

Students who apply for Voices of Tufts will typically receive their program decision by early September.

Is it true that any student who applies to Voices can apply to Tufts for free?

It’s true! Every student who applies to Voices of Tufts (whether or not they are invited to participate in the program) will have their Tufts application fee waived. You’ll receive instructions after you submit your Voices application.

Do my parents or guardians need to do anything for Voices?

We expect students to communicate with their families regarding the program and program timing. Parents/guardians of students who are selected for Voices of Tufts: A Day on the Hill will be asked to complete a parent/guardian confirmation form, as participants will generally be traveling independently. We will require emergency contact information in case of an unexpected event or situation during the program.

Can parents or guardians participate in Voices of Tufts?

Voices of Tufts is a student-focused program and Tufts Admissions is not able to provide travel assistance for parents or guardians to accompany their students to the Voices program. However, at the Voices of Tufts: A Day on the Hill, parents and guardians are welcome to attend optional information sessions and campus tours offered during the event while their student participates in the program.

I want to participate in Voices, but I have a conflict. What do I do?

Depending on the nature of your conflict, you may still be able to participate, but the Voices selection team will prioritize applications from students who can commit to the full program.

There is a space in the application where you can share information with us about any conflicts you may have.

I’m applying to Tufts through the QuestBridge National College Match. Am I still eligible for Voices?

Yes, absolutely! Tufts University is proud to be one of the QuestBridge partner colleges. Many students who attend Voices also apply through QuestBridge. QuestBridge applicants submit their list of college rankings (up to 15 partner institutions) through the National College Match; these rankings are due in early October. Please be aware that you may not add any additional colleges to your list after the due date.

Once Finalist decisions are released in late October, Match Finalists are allowed to re-rank their lists until early November. As Voices takes place in early and mid October, students who become Finalists for the National College Match will have the opportunity to consider re-ranking Tufts on their ordered Match lists, but will not be able to add Tufts or any other school that was not part of their original rankings.

All QuestBridge finalists who rank Tufts, but do not match with Tufts or another binding institution, will be automatically rolled into our Regular Decision applicant pool and required to respond to two short answer questions. They may also elect to apply under Early Decision I or Early Decision II.

Please visit www.questbridge.org for additional information on the National College Match application process and timeline.

Who should I contact for additional information?

You can email voices@tufts.edu. We're happy to help.