I just withdrew my spot in the traditional MD program because I accepted the MD/MPH track. Sent it in today so hopefully next week or so someone whould be getting some good news!!!!
2010-2011 Tufts Application Thread
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Lucky you. Oh how I wish I was in your shoes right now.
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According to the website, Tufts admissions committee only meets once a month. The last group of people talking about interview invites were on December 2nd and they had sent in applications around the end of Aug and the beginning of September. The group before that was on Nov 17-18.
I would guess that the holidays messed up their routine meeting days, which is why there hasn't been a group since. Today was a snowday for Tufts, otherwise I would have guessed they would meet today. So hopefully this week or next week there will be a group of people hearing back.
Good luck everyone!
Oh an one more thing, they also claim to look at every single application. I've heard people talk about how some schools trash half their applications right off the bat, which scared me! That isn't apparently true to Tufts.
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👍 I have a friend in that program and she really loves it! Congrats! I've had the opportunity to hang out with a lot of Tufts med students through her and the people in that program were definitely some of my favorites!
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Thanks!!! 🙂 Yeah I have a good friend who is a first year in the MD/MPH program at Tufts and he loves it too! Perhaps you met him 🙂
when does Tufts interview until? I haven't heard a thing from them since completion =(. Are there still interview spots going out?
til end of march, and they go out about a month prior to the end,
i got one last year super late, end of jan, and there was 2-3 dates left to grab in feb/march
they probably stop going out early feb, look at old year posts though. they're accepting more cautiously this year, as they over-enrolled last year (so i was told by a few students/profs).
Expect a slow turn around time on things. The waitlist will include 99% of kids who interview and don't get a quick acceptance, and we'll trickle out of it slowly. I'm going to withdraw in May if they don't tell us defferrees from Oct. SOMETHING, I need to sign a lease for the one of the other schools before the summer. It's moderately obnoxious to drag us around for so long. It sucks to get rejected after an interview, but at least honesty is abundant and we can get on with our lives.
i got one last year super late, end of jan, and there was 2-3 dates left to grab in feb/march
they probably stop going out early feb, look at old year posts though. they're accepting more cautiously this year, as they over-enrolled last year (so i was told by a few students/profs).
Expect a slow turn around time on things. The waitlist will include 99% of kids who interview and don't get a quick acceptance, and we'll trickle out of it slowly. I'm going to withdraw in May if they don't tell us defferrees from Oct. SOMETHING, I need to sign a lease for the one of the other schools before the summer. It's moderately obnoxious to drag us around for so long. It sucks to get rejected after an interview, but at least honesty is abundant and we can get on with our lives.
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2nd year ends the third week of March this year. We are required to take the boards before starting rotations on May 9th (giving 6-7 weeks off to study).
I'm withdrawing (post-acceptance) from Tufts for 3 major reasons:
1) Way too expensive. After 10 years of interest, which I'm told is a reasonable pay-off time, the total cost of attendance jumps from 300k to nearly 500k. They only offer financial aid to the lowest income families, neglecting everyone in the middle class. (stupid parents, why couldn't you make less money so that I might save some!) You aren't going to get a residency interview because of your school name unless its a top 10 or Ivy, so what am I getting for such a luidicris amount of cash?
2) Both my interviewers were clearly obbsessed with GPA and MCAT. Sure they're important factors, but I have friends applying, who were interviewed and defferred, with 10x the experience/passion and way more interesting backgrounds with 1 point less on their MCAT. The school is trying pretty hard to raise their averages, and probably losing out on some amazing kids for that minor increase towards the ivy's stats. They're going to waitlist all but the best stats, and let the rest come in piece-wise. I want to learn alongside people who are unique, not just a bunch of boring statistics. So if you're defferred, don't be suprised to hear back in the summer, when you will have already paid first/last/deposit on a different lease.
3) The wait-list (the website says this directly), and I'm sure the adcom makes its decisions as such, is based on race, economic status, etc. Yes, making a diverse class is a good thing. I would never argue that, it contributes to everyone's benefit, and helps the patients best of all. However, once they have reached their limit of students for Race X, they will not admit any more, for the sake of diversity. So, if you were the 83rd "insert race here" person reviewed....sucks to be you, because we need some more diverse people. Making race a selection factor at ALL is racist. Measure us on merits, skills, intellegence, caring, passion; characteristics inherit in all races. Thus there is no rank in the waitlist, or maybe each race gets its own waitlist? Either way, an extremely distasteful thing to do for choosing kids who has agreed to wait 6+ months under some silly assumption that you might accept them based on their hard-work and dedication to helping others.
Not to bash on anyone who loves the school, as I'm sure it has great selling points, but if you have another options you should very carefully think it through. Do some long term math, and recognize that so much debt makes fields like family medicine and primary care sooooo much less realistic. I also don't believe that any school should charge students different rates just because of their social-economic status. This isn't a damn ski-resort, this is an education, and you have all earned the right to be treated equally!
That's just my two cents, and I really hope in 30 years from now, we can all work together to fix this clearly broken system (without half a million of debt).
1) Way too expensive. After 10 years of interest, which I'm told is a reasonable pay-off time, the total cost of attendance jumps from 300k to nearly 500k. They only offer financial aid to the lowest income families, neglecting everyone in the middle class. (stupid parents, why couldn't you make less money so that I might save some!) You aren't going to get a residency interview because of your school name unless its a top 10 or Ivy, so what am I getting for such a luidicris amount of cash?
2) Both my interviewers were clearly obbsessed with GPA and MCAT. Sure they're important factors, but I have friends applying, who were interviewed and defferred, with 10x the experience/passion and way more interesting backgrounds with 1 point less on their MCAT. The school is trying pretty hard to raise their averages, and probably losing out on some amazing kids for that minor increase towards the ivy's stats. They're going to waitlist all but the best stats, and let the rest come in piece-wise. I want to learn alongside people who are unique, not just a bunch of boring statistics. So if you're defferred, don't be suprised to hear back in the summer, when you will have already paid first/last/deposit on a different lease.
3) The wait-list (the website says this directly), and I'm sure the adcom makes its decisions as such, is based on race, economic status, etc. Yes, making a diverse class is a good thing. I would never argue that, it contributes to everyone's benefit, and helps the patients best of all. However, once they have reached their limit of students for Race X, they will not admit any more, for the sake of diversity. So, if you were the 83rd "insert race here" person reviewed....sucks to be you, because we need some more diverse people. Making race a selection factor at ALL is racist. Measure us on merits, skills, intellegence, caring, passion; characteristics inherit in all races. Thus there is no rank in the waitlist, or maybe each race gets its own waitlist? Either way, an extremely distasteful thing to do for choosing kids who has agreed to wait 6+ months under some silly assumption that you might accept them based on their hard-work and dedication to helping others.
Not to bash on anyone who loves the school, as I'm sure it has great selling points, but if you have another options you should very carefully think it through. Do some long term math, and recognize that so much debt makes fields like family medicine and primary care sooooo much less realistic. I also don't believe that any school should charge students different rates just because of their social-economic status. This isn't a damn ski-resort, this is an education, and you have all earned the right to be treated equally!
That's just my two cents, and I really hope in 30 years from now, we can all work together to fix this clearly broken system (without half a million of debt).
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atticdoc, maybe you should consider writing these concerns to Tufts. I don't think they have always been so focused on GPA/MCAT, and you may be able to have more impact then most since you were accepted and then declined.
Good luck with your future plans, I hope that you find a school that suits you better.
Good luck with your future plans, I hope that you find a school that suits you better.
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Last time I checked they don't charge me extra at a ski resort 'cause I'm white! Though I did recently realize they let kids and seniors ski for less...damn those people for not living long enough/too long!
No but in all seriousness, you bring up some interesting points. You should think about writing to Tufts (but in a less aggressive manner obviously). Good luck wherever you go.
And for the record, I think that even 300,000 is too much debt! How about for those of us who still have UNDERGRAD to pay off! So all in all, I may have like $600,000 to pay off...hellloooo plastic surgery in Los Angeles!
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They want your 2010 tax returns and information, which are the ones you will be getting and filing this year.
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Good points. 👍👍
Those really are some good points. I just interviewed two days ago, and I was extremely impressed by the school. If the cost of attendance was a bit lower--and obtaining aid was more feasible--then Tufts would seriously be a perfect school, in my opinion.
I'm black, btw, and after looking at their match list from last year, in addition to considering the number of black interviewees there were (just two of us), I would say that maybe what they're doing now to increase diversity--although unethically systematic--may be the jump-start they need to increase diversity? haha, I don't know, I'm just playing devil's advocate.
You make such good points, though, so I agree with mano kanaka that you should contact Tufts (less aggressively, of course) lol. They'd definitely take your opinion into consideration given that you've been accepted already. Best of luck to everyone waiting for interviews, acceptance notifications, etc. (that's how you're supposed to end these long-winded posts, right? lol)
I'm black, btw, and after looking at their match list from last year, in addition to considering the number of black interviewees there were (just two of us), I would say that maybe what they're doing now to increase diversity--although unethically systematic--may be the jump-start they need to increase diversity? haha, I don't know, I'm just playing devil's advocate.
You make such good points, though, so I agree with mano kanaka that you should contact Tufts (less aggressively, of course) lol. They'd definitely take your opinion into consideration given that you've been accepted already. Best of luck to everyone waiting for interviews, acceptance notifications, etc. (that's how you're supposed to end these long-winded posts, right? lol)
This is the only point I disagree on. I have a 3.4 sGPA (and only a 3.6 overall) and I was accepted to Tufts. I did not get the impression that my interviewers were "obsessed with GPA and MCAT". Perhaps you just happened to get 2 interviewers who focus on it or I happened to get 2 interviewers who don't. The only comment I received regarding either my MCAT or GPA was "wow, i see you majored in _____ and did very well." I only remember this because I was SHOCKED....3.4 is very well in the med school applicant pool? Don't think so. But I wasn't going to argue.
Rather than focusing on my stats, my interviewers were more interested in my travels, my desire to work in a refugee camp, my current job etc. I didn't have to discuss my courswork, GPA, MCAT, academics..... at all.
Oh yeah....And I'm a white Jewish gal (not exactly adding to racial diversity....)
I agree with this. My interviews did not focus on my academics at all. In fact, one of my interviewers told me at the beginning that he wanted to get to know me outside of what was in my application. I remember on my interview day the Tufts staff stressing that their goal was to create doctors that aren't just competent but also great at dealing with patients. To that end, they said that besides looking at accomplishments in the classroom, they were looking for students with other interests and talents that they thought would be better at interacting with patients than the pure science-minded types. In fact, this mission goal of theirs was one of the biggest selling points of Tufts for me.
I forgot to mention that, too, in my previous post. This is exactly how my interview went as well, which was more reason why I fell in love with the school. So, yeah, every point made previously--aside from the one about Tufts focusing heavily on GPA/MCAT--was good.
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Hi everyone
This is my first post on this thread.
I was wondering if anyone else has contacted Tufts regarding being in the area (Boston) for another interview. If so, did you email or make a call? I was leaning towards a call because I can communicate with someone directly whereas with an email I would have to hope it would not get buried in a mountain of email.
Oh also I have an interview the 31st....so it is probably short notice, but I figured I'd give it a shot.
Thanks and good luck to everyone!
p.s. I submitted my app early with no response either. So I emailed them mid/late October to remind them that I was interested in their program and this is what my response email said:
"[FONT='PrimaSans BT,Verdana,sans-serif']All applicants will receive either an invitation to interview or a
letter of regret by April 15, 2011.."
This is my first post on this thread.
I was wondering if anyone else has contacted Tufts regarding being in the area (Boston) for another interview. If so, did you email or make a call? I was leaning towards a call because I can communicate with someone directly whereas with an email I would have to hope it would not get buried in a mountain of email.
Oh also I have an interview the 31st....so it is probably short notice, but I figured I'd give it a shot.
Thanks and good luck to everyone!
p.s. I submitted my app early with no response either. So I emailed them mid/late October to remind them that I was interested in their program and this is what my response email said:
"[FONT='PrimaSans BT,Verdana,sans-serif']All applicants will receive either an invitation to interview or a
letter of regret by April 15, 2011.."
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Do it by email. It's worth a shot. But it doesn't look like they have interview spots during the week you're there (Checked my status/scheduler page)
It's been quiet on the acceptance front for a long while, and I haven't heard of a single deffered student (from SDN or the handful of other applicants I know who have been deffered) getting in so far. So I guess it reinforces the hypothesis that its a waitlist/reject. I called and asked about it, and they said deferred means is that you might be in at any point, but when I asked about getting rereviewed it sounded like we don't actively get voted on with the others. They like to keep things pretty secret, haha.
On another note, I like atticdoc's points. I had a similar experience last year, an interviewer opened with the line "so I see your science GPA is lower than average for Tufts..." and this year one of my interviews only lasted 3 minutes, he was clearly in an odd mood and wanted to leave. I tried to tell the admission office, but they ignored my request to interview with someone else. Pretty distasteful, and very unfortunate, goes to show how much they care about "just another interviewee", but I'm going to try and not let one bad egg ruin my experience. Except it may be the reason for my defferal, haha! O well. Life moves forward! I'd still like the choice of Tufts in my list, so I'll hang in on the waitlist for another year! I was on it for the entire process last year, to no avail.
On another note, I like atticdoc's points. I had a similar experience last year, an interviewer opened with the line "so I see your science GPA is lower than average for Tufts..." and this year one of my interviews only lasted 3 minutes, he was clearly in an odd mood and wanted to leave. I tried to tell the admission office, but they ignored my request to interview with someone else. Pretty distasteful, and very unfortunate, goes to show how much they care about "just another interviewee", but I'm going to try and not let one bad egg ruin my experience. Except it may be the reason for my defferal, haha! O well. Life moves forward! I'd still like the choice of Tufts in my list, so I'll hang in on the waitlist for another year! I was on it for the entire process last year, to no avail.
Would you mind commenting how many spots are free in general at this point? Thanks!
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Does anyone know when the MSTP decisions will be released?
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That stinks and is not fair to you for your interviewer to walk out in 3 minutes. He/She was obviously having a bad day, but it should not be taken out on you. I think I would call the Dir of Admissions and ask for another interview. I think you have that right.
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Do we actually have to pay for our own lodging? Thats pretty lame imo .....
I don't know the protocol for dealing with things like this but I can't believe how unprofessional and unfair this is. I'm curious what their reasoning is for denying you another interview. They might think it'll open the flood gates of people with complaints about their interviews -- though your complaint is certainly valid!
I hope your waitlist experience is better this year!
That's what I suspect. Some schools tell you to request another interview ASAP afterwards if you think it went poorly. I have a friend who had a similar experience and he's writing to the school to ask for another interview now. I may just do the same (formally versus over the phone). I'm sure it can't hurt, they may just say no, but I doubt they'll reject us just for asking.
I feel like they have all the power, and we're just playing the game. If anything it shows we care enough to follow up. I'll let you know how it goes for the two of us.
I feel like they have all the power, and we're just playing the game. If anything it shows we care enough to follow up. I'll let you know how it goes for the two of us.
I don't know the protocol for dealing with things like this but I can't believe how unprofessional and unfair this is. I'm curious what their reasoning is for denying you another interview. They might think it'll open the flood gates of people with complaints about their interviews -- though your complaint is certainly valid!
I hope your waitlist experience is better this year!
I had an interview experience that I felt was unfair (though probably not as bad as yours) at a different school and I posted on sdn to ask if I should talk to admissions about it and I was told by sdn members that they thought it could only hurt me. I don't see why this would be the case but I just wanted to let you know what sdn members told me. You certainly have a reason to be concerned and at the very least I think admissions would understand why you'd be concerned. I would maybe talk to some mentors or advisors/professors to get their opinion.
Good Luck
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when is the last time that Tufts sent out acceptance letters??
I'm deferred and waiting around is doing a serious damage to my nerves...
Does anybody know how Tufts managed their deferred ppl last year? OR did they even defer ppl last year or just put them straight on the wait-list?
I'm deferred and waiting around is doing a serious damage to my nerves...
Does anybody know how Tufts managed their deferred ppl last year? OR did they even defer ppl last year or just put them straight on the wait-list?
It could be quiet on the homefront because they've already filled most of their seats (which makes sense since they generally over-enroll in the beginning, and over-enrolled last year).
They could just be taking the time to actually sort through all the deferred kids (deciding to waitlist or accept), which would take them longer too. All we know is the whole "you'll hear 2 weeks after interviewing" doesn't always apply. I saw stats for something like 500/860 kids they interview eventually get an acceptance offer, so as long as kids like atticdoc make their decision up front hopefully we won't wait until late summer.
Also, the defferred process is new I believe, most people I knew from last year went straight to waitlist.
They could just be taking the time to actually sort through all the deferred kids (deciding to waitlist or accept), which would take them longer too. All we know is the whole "you'll hear 2 weeks after interviewing" doesn't always apply. I saw stats for something like 500/860 kids they interview eventually get an acceptance offer, so as long as kids like atticdoc make their decision up front hopefully we won't wait until late summer.
Also, the defferred process is new I believe, most people I knew from last year went straight to waitlist.
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Just got an e-mail asking me to update contact info because decisions are coming in this week for those who interviewed in January.
Everyone who interviews (in the prior month and has no decision yet) get's that email after the ADCOM meets; so you'll get acceptance call or deferred email this week.
Its only good news if you're deferred, and got the email as well, cause that means they voted on you!
Its only good news if you're deferred, and got the email as well, cause that means they voted on you!
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Hi Engin, how do you know this? I was under the impression that those of us who are deferred will simply be in limbo until we get the call or get rejected. I don't think they will notify before a decision goes out.
Just a hypothesis, nothing to back it up. I just assume whatever reason they have for telling us to update our info (so they can actually get in touch with us), they would have the same motive the next time they want to issue a major decision.
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As much as I wish this was true (seeing as how I'm deferred), I'm pretty positive it isn't. A friend of mine who got rejected post-interview got the email to update his status about a week or so before he got the rejection letter.
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Wait...whaaaaat? Where did you hear this?!? UGH I hate this whole deferred thing...I JUST WANNA KNOW!
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Wait...whaaaaat? Where did you hear this?!? UGH I hate this whole deferred thing...I JUST WANNA KNOW!
Hey Irish...it was just a guess on his part
From now on I will provide citations of facts, and underline them. And all opinions and guesses will be hypothesized/italicized. [Interview with myself, Feb 1st, 2010]
This process is terrible inefficient and awfully harmful on our souls.
This process is terrible inefficient and awfully harmful on our souls.
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Just to continue from above and help ease tensions, there are still dates open on almost every Tuesday and Thursday of February and March (There are no openings on Feb 24th or Mar 15th and 17th)
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Question- I interview on Thursday and my flight is scheduled to leave tomorrow morning for Boston. Weather reports have said that tomorrow is actually going to be worse for the east coast--- what is the likilihood (should my flight not be cancelled) that Tufts would close due to inclement weather? I tried to call them today and only could leave a message. I wonder how much notice they would give should interviews need to be cancelled?
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Try calling early tomorrow and ask about it. Although it is unlikely that the whole school would close down due to the weather, it definitely is possible. They might even change your interview date to Friday, depending on how the office feels about their situation. Plan to be flexible with your flights.
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I agree with steveo, that's your best plan. They have shut down the school once or twice this winter for other blizzards (I work in the medical center), but they do what they can to keep things open.
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Tufts is completely closed tomorrow, but should be open Thursday for your interview. Hopefully your flight does not get cancelled, however.
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