HEY CCers,
I will be applying to tufts ED 2 soon and I was in dilemma to where I should I apply. I saw the requirements for both schools and I do not mind either. I intend to study chemistry but plan on taking many non science courses. Supposed I applied to School of engineering and got in, how difficult would it be for me to switch to college of arts and sciences or vice versa. You rely would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for your help and Cheers =)
Would be very easy to switch to arts and sciences, harder to switch into the engineering school.
Thanks for your reply 
Really easy. Don’t worry about it.
Thanks for your reply =)
Sorry about the typos in the original post…suppose… reply
What makes it harder to go from liberal arts to engineering is all the course requirements and course pre-requisites for engineering. The ABET approved engineering majors require 38 courses rather than the 34 courses required for LA majors. A large number of the courses are “required” with only a couple of free electives. Six humanities and social science courses are required for engineering, which can help. Engineering Science degrees require 36 courses and have a little more flexibility. You have to schedule your freshman year carefully in order to keep the option of switching from LA to Engineering open. Advisors within the School of Liberal Arts can help with the scheduling, but you need to let them know you would like to keep the option open.
The net attrition rate for the School of Engineering is currently a negative number* (i.e more switch in than out) and the School of Engineering is deservedly proud of it - so beware that they may not let you leave once they have you!
*Nationwide, the average attrition rate from engineering is about 40%.
In the School of Liberal Arts there are also majors, second majors and minors that cross the boundary between the two schools such as: Engineering Psychology, Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Biomedical Engineering Sciences, Biotechnology, Environmental Science*, Architectural Studies, Architectural Engineering, Biotechnology Engineering, Entrepreneurial Leadership, Multimedia Arts and Music Engineering*.
=Minor
*=Second major
Computer Science can be taken from either school as well (but through the engineering school there are more requirements, because the degree is ABET accredited), due to high demand though, I believe you have to take the intro course freshman or sophomore year - even if you choose the LA degree.
Good Luck!
Thank you so much for your reply. It was extremely helpful. I was wondering where I should apply. I feel like I would fit into either. But where should I apply to have have a better chance (international male)…If I want to switch, I will do it in the middle of freshman year and I wouldn’t mind either college. I love sciences, most of my classes are science classes and activities are also science related. My SAT and subjects also reflect that (great in math and chem… not so great in CR and Writing). But I honestly love other subjects as well (although I don’t do that great in them). Should I apply for School of engineering or CAS. I am in a dilemma.
Anyways Mastadon, thank you so much for giving me your precious time with such a great response. I truly appreciate it =)
If you were my kid, i would recommend applying to Engineering. First, your test scores will be look stronger there. Second, if you get in and start in Engineering, it will be easy to move to A&S if you don’t like it. And if you get into Engineering and decide even before you start school (or after one semester) that you want to switch, it won’t be a problem (unlike at some schools, like Vandy, where you can’t switch for at least a year).
Thank you so much :)… I think I am definitely gonna apply to engineering now.
From a strategic perspective, applying to Engineering seems like the way to go. But isn’t Chemistry in A&S? And Math also? If you think you want to major in Chemistry rather than Chemical Engineering, you should probably apply to A&S. The introductory Engineering requirements are pretty onerous- the “recommended” course of study doesn’t even have you taking courses in your major until Sophomore year.
On the other hand, my Daughter who is in Eng (CS) says that Eng students get priority course registration, even in A&S courses, so there are some benefits to starting in Eng even if you don’t know exactly what you want to major in.
You should really take a look at the degree requirements for both schools- it’s my opinion that it’s not really possible to take “many” (more like “some”) A&S courses if you are in the School of Engineering due to the ABET requirements. Compared to an Engineering school that does not have access to good A&S (Rensselaer?), Tufts gives you at least the option to take a few for breadth. But IMO an A&S minor or other significant coursework is not really possible given the Eng requirements.
If you have the interest and time, there is some good info in this thread, although it is somewhat CS specific:
My Daughter has decided to stay in the school of Engineering.
By starting on the path with the most requirements:
At the end of the first year you will have committed to calculus based physics instead of algebra based physics (probably a good thing) and you will have taken ES93 and ES2 (which would ultimately become electives if you switch to A&S Chemistry or Math). ES93 and ES2 will give you a feel for whether or not you like engineering and will help direct your choice of major. Since A&S requires fewer courses for a degree, by taking an extra course for two semesters, you can eliminate the opportunity cost of taking ES93 and ES2 and still be taking fewer courses than those who stick with ABET engineering (this is close to one of the middle paths).
At the end of the second year, you will most likely have committed to more math courses than a typical chemistry major and you will have most likely have committed to a couple more introductory Engineering Science classes which have additional opportunity cost, but should not affect your ability to graduate on time. (You basically make out a plan of requirements for each path to make sure)
Beyond the second year, you need to be careful, but it is possible with planning and will depend on the number and type of AP credits you have.
Good Luck!
Here are the alternatives - listed by decreasing order of number of requirements:
Chemical Engineering (ABET accredited)
http://engineering.tufts.edu/docs/degrees/BSCHE_DegreeSheet2019.pdf
Engineering Science (Engineering, but non-ABET- basically an applied science/math degree where you pick a science or math)
http://engineering.tufts.edu/docs/degrees/BSES_DegreeChecklist.pdf
Engineering - Design your own major (Engineering, but non ABET, - lots of freedom, but requires guidance - not for everybody, but may be good for people who like schools with an “open” curriculum)
http://engineering.tufts.edu/docs/degrees/BS_NoMajor_DegreeChecklist.pdf
Chemistry in A&S (also subject to A&S general requirements)
http://chem.tufts.edu/undergraduate/gen-chem-major.html
Thank you so much ormdad for your response. I am all set now and have decided to apply for chemical engineering in School of Engineering. I love maths and science. I was also wondering if the choice of major impacts the application process. Like will I have a better chance applying as ChemEng than as CS major because I know CS is popular. I really haven’t decided what kind of engineering I want to study and one of the main reasons I am applying as Chem is because my essays pertain to it and I have my SAT 2 in Chem and obviously I like chemistry (but I like others too. So I was wondering if applying as another major will help my chances as I am undecided.
Will I have a better chance as a Chemistry major applying to A&S or Chem Major in SOE…
I am truly undecided and have looked through every course requirement and I honestly don’t mind either. But I have fallen in love with Tufts (international male) and I would love to go there so I just wanted to know what would be the best option for me to apply.
I think Chem Eng because my gut says so and because my extracurricular activities reflect my engineering interest ( not necessarily chemistry but rather science in general)
Thanks =)
Thank you so much for your reply Mastadon… I will look into it although I think it will be Chem Eng as my heart really wants to apply there If you have any other recommendations please let me know 
Also money is a concern… does one school look at international students differently than the other. If so how are their financial aid (a lot around $40000). I have read that tufts is awesome with aid but I haven’t heard their aid regarding international students. If you have any knowledge please tell me. I have read through every CC post and Tufts website posts I can find but I wanted to know first hand.
Thanks
CS is pretty crazy these days. I would recommend going with your gut.
Essays are really important, but write them with your heart and not your gut.
Tufts really likes community service.
Tufts engineering is a good fit for those who want a more humanistic/holistic approach to engineering. There are lots of good engineering schools available for the more traditional approach.
Yea I don’t want traditional engineering school that is why I like tufts… its my first choice hence the ed… I was just wondering how good tufts is with financial aid.
Tufts meets “full need” but is not need blind. I don’t know if the bar is higher for internationals. I suspect it varies by country. Tufts is working hard to recruit underrepresented minorities.
Tufts financial aid tends to be very good, but not as good as the schools with the largest endowments. It tends to be closer to the best schools at the low end of the economic spectrum and further at the top end. I don’t know how that is impacted by being an international.