Tufts Class of 2020: Projected 14% Acceptance Rate

Colleges and Universities A-Z Tufts University
1

Dear CC-ers,

It’s that time of year when the admissions projections game takes place. As a 2007 Tufts grad, I’m always impressed to see Tufts’ increasing popularity and selectivity while maintaining its thoughtful approach to admitting students who are equally intellectual, grounded, and socially engaged global citizens. I just came across this article (http://now.tufts.edu/articles/tufts-undergrad-applications-set-new-record) detailing some c/o 2020 admissions figures.

It looks like this is yet another record-breaking year for Tufts, with 20,160 total applications received. With an anticipated class size of 1,325, and close to 50% representing early decision applicants, I can surmise from past years’ data that the breakdown of this year’s class will be approximately 625 ED/700 RD students.

Tufts received 2070 ED applicants (encompassing ED 1 & ED 2), so with 625/2070 ED applicants accepted, this leaves an additional 700 spots for admission out of the remaining 18090 applicants.

Given that last year’s yield was 44% (http://now.tufts.edu/news-releases/tufts-class-2019-sets-records-selectivity-and-yield), a conservative estimate of a 45% yield for this year would result in a total of 2944 accepted students (625 ED & 2,319 RD), with a total acceptance rate of 2994/20160 = 14.6%

Now, if yield is anticipated to increase more drastically (e.g. 50%), we would be looking at an acceptance rate closer to 2650/20160 = 13.1%.

At this rate, given the historical acceptance rates over the past few years (18.7%, 17.4%, 16.1%), Tufts can anticipate a sub 10% acceptance rate in the next 4 years.

In any case, rest assured that you’re applying to a school with a continued commitment to assessing each applicant holistically, enabling your true passions and personalities to shine through :slight_smile:

Best of luck!

A Proud Tufts Alumnus

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Those are great numbers, but I am sceptical that the yield will increase drastically. As students are applying to more schools, most schools are getting more applicants, but it is being offset because their yields are drifting lower.

It is especially true for students applying to schools with low admission rates because they know they can’t count on getting in.

3

The number of high school graduates has been decreasing the last several years and is expected to decrease further.

The decreasing acceptance rate, at Tufts and other colleges, is being driven by individual applicants applying to more schools than ever before. Therefore, the yield rate should decrease or remain level, unless Tufts accepts more applicants for whom Tufts is a reach school.

4

Just curious why one would celebrate more rejections?

Are the students getting a better education?
Are more students graduating?
Are graduates achieving better outcomes?

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Unfortunately, it is all driven by rankings. Lower acceptance rate + higher yield rate = higher ranking. Higher ranking is perceived as more prestigious, better education, and more opportunities.

However, perception does not necessarily equal reality.

6

Those stats sound impressive until you realise that virtually every leading university has similar stats. All the universities are chasing applicant numbers. They don’t necessarily translate into higher calibre candidates and students.

7

Check out Dean Coffin’s blog entry. It eloquently communicates how the university is maintaining a holistic approach to admissions while the school continues to become more selective. http://admissions.tufts.edu/blogs/inside-admissions/post/decision-time/