The list below represents only the most frequent questions. If your question is not answered here, please feel free to contact us at 617-627-3798 or email us at parentsprogram@tufts.edu Q: Are there specific requirements students must complete to earn a Tufts degree?
A: Both the liberal arts and engineering programs have requirements that provide students with depth in one or more major fields of study as well as breadth across the curriculum. Students who graduate from Tufts are expected to understand the technological, environmental and ethical challenges they will face in an ever-changing world, and the curriculum bolsters those expectations.
While these requirements are meant to direct a student’s academic program, they leave ample opportunity for choice and variety. Tufts students expect to become leaders, and regardless of where their individual interests lie, students in recent entering classes have said they intend to become recognized experts in their chosen fields. By designating guidelines, rather than specific courses, the Tufts curriculum allows students to determine the focus and direction of their studies while ensuring exposure to various fields.
In liberal arts, a typical degree represents the completion of 34 course credits guided by the following requirements:
Foundation Requirements: Two semesters of college writing (A or A in English 1 exempts students from English 2); three semesters or the equivalent of a foreign language; three additional semesters of a foreign language or the study of a foreign culture and one semester of a course in world civilizations.
Distribution Requirements: Two courses in each of five areas—humanities, fine arts, social sciences, natural sciences and mathematics.
Concentration (Major) Requirements: Requirements vary by major, but typically include eight to 10 courses in the department of the major plus two or three courses in fields related to the major.
Students enrolled in the School of Engineering typically complete 38 course credits. About 25 percent are devoted to math and science, and another 20 percent to engineering sciences and other foundation courses. The concentration courses take up about 35 percent of the program of study, and the remainder of the curriculum comprises liberal arts courses and free electives, which may come from either the School of Liberal Arts or the School of Engineering.
More information about specific programs of study in Liberal Arts and Engineering can be found at http://www.tufts.edu/home/academics/?p=areas
Q. How do students select a major?
A. Liberal arts students select a major by the spring of their sophomore year. The university provides several resources to help students with this decision, including Majors Week in March, during which the academic departments hold informational open houses. The Career Planning Center and the Dean of Advising are also resources students use in helping them to decide on a major.
Once a student chooses a major, he or she also selects a faculty adviser from that department. Many students change their major at least once, and the faculty, deans and resource centers can assist in this process.
Engineering students select a major at the end of the first year. The first-year program in the School of Engineering is designed to facilitate this decision by offering courses in each of the engineering departments.
Q. What kind of financial aid is available?
A. Financial aid is usually awarded to students in packages comprising grants, loans and on-campus employment. The amount each student receives annually is determined by financial need, as estimated by Tufts using standard financial aid forms. Because financial assistance is awarded on a case-by-case basis, students and their families are encouraged to contact the Office of Student Financial Services directly at (617) 627-2000 or e-mail studentservices@ase.tufts.edu More information on financial aid also can be found on the web site http://finaid.tufts.edu/
Q. How can students get jobs on campus?
A. Tufts’ Student Employment Office assists students seeking employment during the academic year. Many departments on campus hire students to assist with their daily operations. While working on campus, students gain valuable experience as they earn money. The Student Employment Office maintains listings of available on-campus jobs for both work-study and non-work-study students. For information about student employment, call (617) 627-2000 or visit the web site http://careers.tufts.edu/
Q. What extracurricular activities are available to students?
A. With approximately 160 student organizations for undergraduates to choose from and a comprehensive Division III varsity athletics program as well as club sports, it is easy for students to continue to pursue their interests or to explore new ones.
Among the most popular student activity groups is the Leonard Carmichael Society, an umbrella organization for all community service projects in which Tufts students participate. The university also offers a rich selection of cultural, media, pre-professional, religious, political, performance and arts groups.
Whether the goal is competition or fitness, students can participate in any of Tufts’ athletic offerings. Varsity teams compete on the intercollegiate circuit, both as part of the New England Small Colleges Athletic Conference (NESCAC) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). In addition to varsity athletics, Tufts offers club sports and physical education courses that provide skill development and encourage a balance between athletics and academics.
Q. What living arrangements are available to students?
A. Tufts offers a wide range of on-campus housing to students. All first-year students live in double- or triple-occupancy rooms in staffed corridor and suite-style residence halls. After the first year, students can select their own roommate. In the junior and senior years, students become eligible for single-occupancy rooms. On-campus residences vary in size and configuration, and all are co-ed, with the exception of one women-only residence. After their first year, students select on-campus housing through a lottery system and are eligible for apartment-style halls and campus houses, in addition to being able to choose a room in one of the more traditional residence halls. Some students elect to find off-campus accommodations in some of the two- and three-family homes in the neighborhoods surrounding campus. Off-campus housing is an option available to juniors and seniors and a select few sophomores. Please click here for more information.
Q. What is the meal plan like?
A. All students are eligible to purchase meal plans. First Year students are required to live on campus and enroll in the Premium Plan. Second Year students must live on campus and are required to enroll in the 160 Plan as a minimum. Second Year students are also eligible to purchase the 220 or Premium Plan. Juniors, Seniors and Graduate students may (but are not required to) enroll in any Meal Plan. For complte information about the meal plan and Jumbo Cash, please click here.
Q. What is the Jumbo Cash Card?
A. Please click here for complete information about Tufts' Debit Card.
Q. Are there medical and health services available to students on campus?
A. Tufts has an on-campus Health Service that is staffed by doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses and two psychiatrists. The Health Service provides a wide range of services and can refer students to other medical facilities in the area should the need arise. Tufts Emergency Medical Service (TEMS) is on call to respond to medical emergencies. Lawrence Memorial Hospital is 10 minutes from campus should hospital care become necessary. For more information on the Health Service, visit the web site http://ase.tufts.edu/healthservices
Q. What does Tufts do to ensure campus safety?
A. The Tufts University Police work in conjunction with the Medford and Somerville police departments to ensure a safe environment for the Tufts community. Campus police take a proactive approach to campus safety by sponsoring workshops, assisting in student shuttle and escort services and patrolling the campus by vehicle and on foot. In addition, there are safety telephones located throughout campus. Marked by a blue light, these speaker phones can be used to dial any on-campus extension and have a button that will automatically connect the caller with the Tufts police. The campus is well-lit, and students are encouraged to use common sense to ensure their own safety and the safety of others. For more information about campus security, visit http://publicsafety.tufts.edu/
Q. Can students have a car on campus? Do they need one?
A. While there is limited residential student parking on campus, having a car is more of an inconvenience than a necessity. Because Tufts is so close to Cambridge and Boston, public transportation is very accessible. Students can take the T (Boston’s subway system) or buses that run to many locations in the surrounding communities as well as to downtown Boston. There is limited parking for a fee that is available to students who bring cars to campus. Juniors and seniors can purchase a parking permit that will allow them to park in designated lots throughout campus. There is one parking area available to sophomores, and first-year students are not permitted to park on campus.
Q. What resources are available to students interested in employment after graduation?
A. The Career Planning Center provides a full range of programs for students, including career education, counseling and job search assistance. The center helps students identify career options and develop action plans to reach their goals. The workshops, career counselors and other resources at the Career Planning Center are available to all students.
Sophomore Career Planning Workshops are offered to introduce students to the career development process. In addition, the center maintains an active Alumni Career Advisory Network, has information on internship programs, offers an extensive career resource library and sponsors a career fair. Students may also participate in the on-campus recruiting program the center runs.
Tufts students interested in pursuing careers in the legal or health professions can work with the pre-law and pre-health professions advisers as they consider graduate schools and other options.
Q. What is provided in the dorm room?
A. An extra-long twin bed (36”x80”), a desk, chair, closet, RJ-45 Ethernet data connection jack per student, window shades and screens, smoke detectors, ceiling light fixture, one telephone jack and one cable television jack.
Q. What should my child bring?
A. A power strip, an alarm clock, a fan, quarters for laundry and vending machines, toiletries tote, towels, a non-halogen desk light, a telephone (decide with your roommate) or cell phone, a stereo and television (again, decide with roommate), headphones and a hand vacuum.
Q. Can I ship things before my child arrives on campus?
A. You may ship packages to campus after August 4. Labels should be addressed to the student's name, Tufts University, their dorm name and room number (you should receive this information in early August), Medford, MA 02155. Students can pick up their packages at Mail Services.
Q. What is NOT allowed?
A. Glow-in-the-dark ceiling/wall accessories, dartboards, alteration of any electrical fixture, weapons, open flames and incense, wall hangings that may obstruct electrical or lighting fixtures, and all cooking appliances.
In addition, cinder blocks must be solid and unstacked; lofts are prohibited. Drawing and painting on school property is also prohibited.
For more information, visit: http://ase.tufts/reslife
Q. What banks are close to Tufts?
Q. How do I find my way around campus?A. All of these banks have locations close to campus. You should contact them directly for information regarding accounts.
Bank of America
1 800 841 4000Century Bank
781 391 4000Citizens Bank
1 888 398 7900Medford Cooperative Bank
781 395 2800Medford Savings Bank
781 393 8000
A. Visit http://tufts.edu/home/maps/?p=medford for area and campus maps.
Q. How can I change my contact information?
Q. When will my child receive information about the pre-orientation wilderness program?
A. The dates for the wilderness preorientation this year are Thurs. 8/27-
Tues. 9/1. The freshmen will receive their keys for their dorm rooms
late on 9/1, sleep there with their sleeping bags, and will move in
with the rest of the freshmen class on 9/2.
Applications will go online on June 1st, and will be posted for a
month. Our acceptance system is done on a lottery basis so that every
student has an equal chance at participating, and students will find out whether or not they are in
the program in the first couple of days. There are typically 250-300 applications for 200 spots.
Parents can email at two@tufts.edu for more information.
A. Please send us an email at parentsprogram@tufts.edu or call us at 617-627-3798.
Q. How can I send packages, gifts, and cakes to my child?
A. Tufts Student Resources Tufts Student Resources is a student-run company at Tufts offering the student body convenient services such as laundry services, microfridges, aerobics, summer storage, celebrations and The Rez, a campus eatery. Please visit their website for more information: http://www.tuftsstudentresources.com/
