Tufts University

Medford, MA · Private · 7,061 undergrads

Admit rate: 11.5% (34,003 applicants)
SAT middle 50%: 1470–1560 (ACT 33–35)
Undergraduates: 7,061 (12.6% international)
Average net price: $39,998 (per year after aid)
Graduation rate: 94% (within 6 years)

Deadlines

Early Decision: Nov. 2, 2026
Early Decision II: Jan. 4, 2027
Regular Decision: Jan. 4, 2027

Essays

Short answer 1 (all applicants) (75-150 words)

Please describe how you have learned about and engaged with Tufts during your college search process (75-150 words).

Short answer 2, School of Arts and Sciences (100-200 words)

Tell us about one of your favorite school assignments in the past two years. What was the assignment and why did you enjoy it?

Short answer 2, School of Engineering (100-200 words)

Tell us about an engineering or science-related project that you have helped build, design, create, or iterate in the past two years. What was the project and what was your role?

Short answer 2, BFA program (100-200 words)

Tell us more about a specific piece in your portfolio. What were the ideas you intended to explore, and how did those ideas inform the process of making the piece?

Short answer 2, Combined Degree (BFA+BA/BS) (100-200 words)

Tell us more about a specific piece in your portfolio. How did an academic course, project, or interest inspire the ideas that you explored in this piece? Or, how did making this piece influence your academic interests?

Editor's notes

Tufts rates the essay Very important in its CDS, and your two short answers total at most 350 words. That's not much room. Cut the throat-clearing and get to specifics in the first sentence.
Choose your school with care. Tufts considers you only for the school or program you apply to, and the second short answer changes with it. If you're split between Arts and Sciences and Engineering, decide before you write.
Tufts gives real guidance on scores: send an SAT of 1300+ or ACT of 28+, and know that you can't change the decision after you submit. In fall 2025, 42% of enrolled first-years sent an SAT.
Early Decision is binding in both rounds. In fall 2025 Tufts admitted 1,071 of 3,344 ED applicants, and the Tuition Pact makes the price question easier for families under $150,000. Run the cost calculator before you sign.