Academics here are challenging but rewarding. Tufts has general requirements and core classes which can be excluded based on AP test scores (which have to be about a 4 5) or (in the case of language requirements) if you pass their short language exemption exams at the start of freshman year.

Students can double major or minor very easily. And there are plenty of interdisciplinary studies as well. Academic advising is very helpful as there are advisors for your major as well as advisors for those who are pre-med.

Their about only two or three intro classes that are really big. The rest of the classes are very small. Indeed, even in the big classes, professors can still know your name if you make an effort. The small classes are a huge plus because they are actually taught by professors with PhD's (or the top degree in their field) and not TA's. The professors are also extremely accessible. Indeed, I have had a teacher come to me when I struggled on an exam. Most professors are willing to meet outside of office hours and really want the student to succeed. These professors grow to be good advisors and friends. They also provide a range of research opportunities for students that are interested.

Tufts is very competitive. But students are not competitive with one another, but rather, themselves. Indeed, collaboration occurs often and students will help other students out and study together. Grading and exams are tough. As one student said in the library "I got a perfect on the SAT, why is this so hard?" But the information that students learn is not regurgitation, but rather applying concepts to the real world. You can't just memorize things for exams, you have to know the underlying concept and apply it to the real world or real world problems. This goes for any subject. Students are happy to get B's as Tufts is really hard and is known for slight grade deflation. Indeed, I was valedictorian out of a class of 700 at my high school. And I definitely feel like the average student at Tufts.

There are definitely some notable faculty. Especially in the area of international relations. This is in part thanks to the Fletcher School whose access and resources are available to undergraduate students. There are some professors that aren't famous in their field, but still hold PhD's, are accessible, and extremely smart and caring. Students prefer professors that are helpful rather than if they are famous.

Study abroad opportunities are great. Students are highly encouraged and studying abroad is well known at Tufts. This is in part due to the internationalism of the school. Students almost always enjoy their study abroad experience and Tufts is very well respected and well known in that respect. But there are also students who don't study abroad and still are very happy.

The workload can vary from subject to subject. The sciences (engineering, biology, chemistry, etc.) are very difficult whereas the humanities can be very writing intensive. But despite the workload, students are happy.

People at Tufts are happy. The campus is beautiful (especially in the Spring and Fall). The winter months aren't that bad either, especially since Tufts cleans up the snow in the road relatively quickly. Students are required to live on campus for the first two years (and it's guaranteed). This isn't the case for junior and senior year. But off campus housing is de facto on campus and is also very cheap. For some, living off campus is a cheaper alternative. Massachusetts is also nice in that land lords can't charge water utilities.

Freshman year, students are required to have an unlimited meal plan. This is nice because there is something called "trick-turning" where a student can go to the fast "food stop" to stock up on drinks and snacks but also go to the cafeteria to get food.

The food is very good (especially compared to other campuses). But it can get boring. Luckily, Boston and the surrounding area of Tufts has plenty of great food options for students. Indeed, most students don't stick with the unlimited meal plan and rather cook or grab their own kind of food.

The relations with the surrounding neighborhood are great. The same applies for community relations. Students volunteer in the community, thus helping the relationship with the surrounding area. There is some crime off campus, but never on campus. Students feel extremely safe and the school's police department is excellent. They will even pick you up from off campus if you feel uncomfortable walking back alone at night.

Overall, Tufts students are happy. While there may be some disgruntled factors (whether that be the administration or whatever) students are generally very happy.

Tufts' students are not only the top of their high school class and have stellar test scores, but also have a quirky and creative intelligence. This creative side is highly emphasized in the essays. Tufts' essays are unique and demanding, requiring a lot of thought and effort. For example, one year the essay described Kermit the Frog saying it's hard being green and wanting students to discuss if it is indeed hard being green.

This type of process attracts students who are both brilliant academically and very "out of the box thinkers." This quirkiness is a good thing. It's as if the students are the "good kind of nerds." This is why some top students get rejected--they don't go the distance with the essays. The point of the essays is to communicate a different kind of intelligence based on creative intelligence.

But the administration still looks at test scores and GPA. Indeed, according to the President, the average student is in the top 5% of their class. The point is that students have to go beyond these requirements and really stand out in a unique way, or be able to communicate themselves effectively. Thus, in addition to being academically successful, it's very important to spend time and do well on the essays.

Lastly, the administration also emphasizes volunteerism and attracting students who want to help change the world or have a positive impact. Tufts is global and diverse and having students that are willing to emerge themselves in a diverse and global community is liked by the administration.

Like most schools applying early decision increases your chances. But you should only apply if you really are set on Tufts. Tufts early decision is a binding process. The optional essays for the school and the interviews are both optional. Really, they are. The interviews are only necessary for a prospective student to learn more about the school. It's not a deciding factor at all. The optional essays are only necessary if they really help to further an applicants story.

Tufts was full need blind admissions until the financial crisis. Now they are 95% need blind. Most students however call Tufts "de facto need blind." Their are no scholarships based on merit. Why? Because everyone is of merit! But the student aid packages can be very generous. Some students don't end up coming because they don't get the right package (this occurs at practically every school), but others get a very generous package. The school is economically diverse and maintaining that is important. The aid is really based on what the individual needs. So communicating that and taking time to fill out the appropriate forms correctly can really make a difference.

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2012