Tufts wrote up a very nice and assuring document about their admissions process. It was helpful to learn things like the fact that super scoring is done by a computer, so utter failure in other sections is no issue.
I was surprised to see the following “Tufts requires applicants to submit two subject tests, unless you take the ACT with Writing, which covers all your testing bases”
That really confuses me, because as far as level of difficulty the ACT is nowhere near taking Math II and Biology. What do you think they are thinking?
I will be taking the SAT subject tests anyways for other schools, however I am sorta trying to get a grip on how that applies to Tufts since they don’t require it. What would be a good minimum score for that school?
If it matters I am trying to get into their Computer Science Department.
I think the policy is the same as it has been for at least a few years. We were told during the 2014 tour/info session with one of the Admissions people, that Tufts did not require SAT subject tests if students were submitting the ACT with writing. But it’s a bit confusing, since it seems to deviate from the requirements of other similarly situated schools. I think if you have stellar Subject Test scores, by all means, submit them! And if they fall short of other testing, you don’t need to. My D (now a Tufts soph) submitted ACT scores, did not take the SAT, but did take SAT subject tests because other schools required them. I’m not sure if she submitted them to Tufts or not.
I would guess that a brief phone call to Admissions would clear it up.
On an unrelated note, I have to say that I really love the Tufts admission blogs. They always seem so straightforward, reassuring, and, well, “normal”.
Tufts really does use your best scores, so don’t worry about it. I would send in any good scores (e.g., 700+ is good; 650- is not so good).
And you don’t apply to a department. You apply to a school. As it happens, you can major in Comp Sci in either A&S or Engineering ( although I think the CS major is slightly more rigorous in Engineering, and therefore slightly more impressive to peospective employers). Which school are you applying to?
I have talked to an admissions rep about it. She just said that the ACT’s four sections tells them all that they need to know about an applicant’s testing abilities. Makes sense to me