Tufts University Class of 2021 RD Discussion Thread

DD FA offers are:
Colby - 14.4k Grant
Colgate - 15.6k Grant
Lafayette - 24k Scholarship
Macalester - 18k Scholarship
Rochester - 16k Scholarship
Rutgers - 13k Scholarship
Tufts - 1.75k Loan (Yes, the standard 1,750 subsidized govt loan)

I understand grants are based on annual need; and are not repaid; that scholarships are renewable each year subject to academic performance; and are not repaid.

I will investigate Tufts Net Price Calculator as I’m curious now.
Intuition tells me I’m not going to change it into a scholarship though.

@RenaissanceMom my child did get into Tufts. I was trying to help @musicbooksandtea understand that sometimes it isn’t what the applicant is lacking but what the school is doing for themselves. I’m not sure you understand my point at all.

hello, to those admitted rd and got a package in the mail, did you guys get a short letter handwritten by your admission counselor?

^ No.

A brief rundown of your financial aid should be on the portal now. You should also get a more comprehensive copy in the mail.

Can anybody provide some insight on the social and intellectual vibe of the school? I know that Tufts has a “nerdy” reputation but is it warranted? We never did the official tour, but did a walking tour of the campus three years ago when my son was looking at schools. We will not be able to make the Jumbo Days unfortunately. Thanks.

It sure is hard to choose a place sight unseen! If you search this board, you will find plenty of discussion regarding the character of the school and its students. My daughter is a sophomore, more “indie” than “nerdy,” and definitely not “quirky.” I think “eclectic” would best describe a Tufts student. Her friends and acquaintances vary from more introverted to jockey and social. All very smart for the most part. They are Public Health majors, IR majors, CS majors, French majors, Child Development Majors. Lots of travel abroad options and most kids do at least a semester abroad, usually junior year. There is a small but vibrant Greek community that seems responsible for most of the parties that freshmen attend. Sophomore year and beyond, students venture to Davis Square, Cambridge and Boston for a pretty vibrant club, arts and music scene. Politically and culturally quite left, but also tolerant of divergent views. Its student body is said to be most similar to Brown’s, if that helps. Lots of groups and organizations to become part of (my kid is active at the radio station, which also hosts social events such as the election night mixer, and a trivia night, among others), there’s club sports, a group that juggles fire on the quad every Thursday, spiritual and religious groups, lots of political groups. School does not seem to revolve around sports seasons at all, and there is no cultural imperative to be blotto from Friday to Sunday (though that can also be achieved, if desired) so you can enjoy the “game.” Academically, it is tough, but not overwhelming, the students are for the most part very bright, work hard, but also develop a balance between work and play. That really depends on the major, also. It is not a drone factory, but classes are challenging. Most kids who are accepted to Tufts fit in well. You may want to log into the Tufts Observer, the campus student run magazine – it has articles written by students about various things of interest on and off campus, and may give you more of an idea of the atmosphere and character of the school. The campus has a good, New England LAC feel, but its proximity to Boston and Cambridge are a plus for most students – you are not on a beautiful, but isolated campus, ala some New England LACs, where there is little to do besides, study, drink and …

^ Thanks. We will be able to visit this month, just not on Jumbo Days so DD won’t be able to see many of the Class of 2021 as a result.

@RenaissanceMom - my child DID get into Tufts- you totally misread my post and missed my point. I was trying to help @musicbooksandtea see that it’s not about what students are lacking but the school having to make decisions based on what’s best for them and sometimes it’s not done in ways you’d expect.

@AllyssXx that’s so weird! Tufts was so so generous with my financial aid

@yellowrgb I think that they didn’t notice that we pay 2x as many tax as you guys do in the US. Like gross income, my mom earns a bit less than 140K, but after taxes she is left with 55K

I’m a NMSF and I listed Tufts as my first choice but when I looked online it didn’t include the supposed 2000 additional each year. I haven’t received the acceptance package in the mail yet thought. Anyone have experience with something similar?

I thought the 2000 went to about half of the NM Scholars and it’s announced in a few weeks. You’d report that on the forms to Tufts if it comes through.

May 10 $2,500 NM scholarships announce.

http://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/interior.aspx?sid=1758&gid=2&pgid=405

Wow! Tufts 2021 it is! They revised my FA and I’ll be receiving enough for me to attend!

So happy I appealed. You always should if you can’t afford it, I mean what have you got to lose? Anyway, Tufts FA office was extremely helpfull, also over the phone.

I couldn’t be happier to attend next fall!

When can we international students expect our acceptance package??

Thought I’d share the story ending for DD.
Tufts was 1st choice but financial pkg was not competitive; and I had to tell her no.
She decided on UofR - 19k/y scholarship.