<p>I was recently admitted to Tufts, and I was wondering:</p>
<li><p>How many courses do students take per semester? (Tufts is on a block schedule, right?)</p></li>
<li><p>Is there a lot of free time at Tufts, or do you spend 90% of your time studying?</p></li>
<li><p>How difficult is it to get an A in classes?</p></li>
<li><p>How competitive is the student body at Tufts?</p></li>
<li><p>How are Tufts’ athletics?</p></li>
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<p>One more question:</p>
<ol>
<li>Does Tufts offer merit aid?</li>
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<p>1) 4-5 courses a semester.
2) Decent amount of free time, but I willingly use it up to get ahead to avoid falling behind.
3) It depends on which department. The sciences are notoriously difficult while the humanities are more generous.
4) Competitive only with themselves. Everyone helps each other out.
5) Bleh. Tufts athletics. Well, I really don't care for them, but people who are part of the teams seem to be having a dandy time. Beating Amherst (a big accomplishment!) seems to make the back pages of the Tufts Daily on a regular occurence.
6) Nope :( I wish!</p>
<p>Few additions/modifications (mostly technical):</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Well, the student-athletes enjoy it, but if you are looking for a school where everyone cheers and tailgates before the football games... don't go to Tufts. </p></li>
<li><p>They offer $500 in NMS money, I believe. That's it. Everything else is on need. Good news: Tufts does not "gap." Gapping is when there is a difference between the EFC and what the award will cover. For example, let's say that everything is $40k/year (hypothetically). Your EFC is $25k/year. Tufts will always give you the $15k/year to cover the shortfall between total cost and EFC. Many colleges will "gap," and give you, say, $12k/year, telling you to make up the difference yourself. </p></li>
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<p>(If you were going to ask, no, Tufts is not need-blind. It only affects a few applicants every year, however.)</p>