Question for Dan: A transfer applicant

<p>This question is directed towards Dan, but any with answers is welcome to share (especially if you know former transfer applicants who applied for FA) !</p>

<p>I'm applying as a transfer to Tufts, I go to a school of similar caliber and I regret not having made Tufts my number one choice. I'm confident that I have what it takes to be a Tufts student - but there is one thing that makes it hard for me to rest easy about my application: I have need - and lots of it.</p>

<p>I have obsessively read and re-read the part on the website that states that "financial aid is a finite resource that is available on a limited basis to transfer and international students" ..... but it is impossible / how possible is it?</p>

<p>I'm in love with Tufts and I know that I have a lot to offer, and I really wish my need weren't an obstacle.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance, sorry if this question puts you in an awkward position</p>

<p>I transferred into Tufts from a comparable school and I also had a lot of financial need. </p>

<p>From what I gather, the admissions process is not need-blind all the time for freshmen (most years), and it’s even less so for transfers – HOWEVER, they do have financial aid funds for transfers, and once you are admitted they meet full need. </p>

<p>I really think the transfer aid situation varies from year to year and is partially (or greatly) dependent on how the freshman class shapes up in terms of aid available/number of slots available for transfers. </p>

<p>I wanted a smaller school when I was planning to transfer, and I actually found that Tufts seems to have a little more leeway with financial aid (or a bigger endowment) than pure liberal arts colleges. I was rejected from the likes of Trinity College (CT), Conn. College, Bates, Colby, etc. but accepted to Tufts. It wasn’t until all the results were in that I realized I was most likely rejected from a lot of schools because of $$. The transfer process is different from the freshman process in this regard.</p>

<p>CUlater21: thank you so so much for your reply! I’ve been looking to find evidence that successful transfers with financial need exist and you really just made me feel so much better.</p>

<p>Does Tufts look at us just as they would international during regular? Is FA a huge negative?</p>

<p>I’m not sure exactly what role $$ plays in transfer admissions at Tufts. I know it factors into their decisions some, but it must vary a lot from year to year. </p>

<p>This is better than at some colleges (that meet full need) where if you’re not full-pay, I’m pretty sure they don’t give your app. a second glance. Obviously they don’t come out and say this explicitly, but I’ve learned from experience (and reading between the lines) that this is the case.</p>