2013-2014 Tufts University Application Thread

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Ahhh my financial aid package came in the mail today. :bang: Looks like Tufts isn't happening for me. Hopefully my MD/MBA spot goes to someone on this thread.
 
Ahhh my financial aid package came in the mail today. :bang: Looks like Tufts isn't happening for me. Hopefully my MD/MBA spot goes to someone on this thread.

Dang! Sorry to hear that, but I'm assuming you definitely have a better option!
Gosh I just wanna get in lol!
And yeah...financial aid is like last of my worries now (which sucks haha).
 
Anyone knows how hard it is to transfer into the MD/PhD program at Tufts with the second portal entry?
 
Does anyone know if Tufts is Pass Fail ? or is there something with the weird honors thing. Also, are lectures mandatory? Thanks!
 
Tufts is pass/fail for the first two years. During clinical rotations you are graded. Also, from talking to the first years, I believe attendance is not mandatory for most classes.
 
Congratulations to everyone who has been accepted! If anyone has any questions about the school or is struggling to decide if Tufts is right for them feel free to PM me or post in the thread (it may take a few days for me to respond, have my step 1 coming up). I also highly recommend attending the second look, it is a really fun time, and a great chance to get a sense of what your potential classmates would be like.

If you are still on the waitlist don't lose hope, I know at least one person in my class who was accepted days before the start of orientation, so you never know what is going to happen.
 
I know people who were deferred and accepted, but I'm not sure if they went through the waitlist or not. sorry 🙁
 
Hi Chironex. Before the waitlist was created, do you know of any deferees who were accepted? and if so when?

I just called them today and they said deferred applicants should hear back around 5/15 and by then we might be put on the waitlist.... and if we are put on the waitlist, we might not hear back till the first day of class. 🙁
This is so stressful! Tufts is my first choice and I really hope their decision has nothing to do with my financial neediness.
 
I just called them today and they said deferred applicants should hear back around 5/15 and by then we might be put on the waitlist.... and if we are put on the waitlist, we might not hear back till the first day of class. 🙁
This is so stressful! Tufts is my first choice and I really hope their decision has nothing to do with my financial neediness.
Same.

Coming from CA, I don't even know if I'd be able to afford/arrange for a last minute cross country trip if I were to get accepted days before class starts...
 
Same.

Coming from CA, I don't even know if I'd be able to afford/arrange for a last minute cross country trip if I were to get accepted days before class starts...

feel the same way. I'm from CA too but I go to school on the east coast now and I'm trying to move out of my apartment. I don't even know if I should ship my things home for now or leave them with a friend....
 
Ahh I guess I'm fortunate enough to be still on the east coast for the summer should I happen to get a last minute acceptance.
But did they make it sound like there will be no waitlist movement (or very little)?
That's quite a bummer if so.
 
Ahhh my financial aid package came in the mail today. :bang: Looks like Tufts isn't happening for me. Hopefully my MD/MBA spot goes to someone on this thread.

Dang, that's unfortunate. I'm also doing the MD MBA and am awaiting my package. Did you not get anything? Does Tufts honestly expect us to take out even half of 100k in loans LOL
 
Dang, that's unfortunate. I'm also doing the MD MBA and am awaiting my package. Did you not get anything? Does Tufts honestly expect us to take out even half of 100k in loans LOL
I'll PM you my aid package details.
 
Got this message today!

The TUSM Admissions Committee was very favorably impressed with your application to our 2014 entering class.

Although we do not currently have openings in the class, we do expect some attrition around the May 15 multiple-acceptance deadline and thereafter. We hope to be able to offer you a position in the traditional MD program, regular track in the late spring or summer.

Because our committee holds your candidacy in such high regard, we would like to assure you now that if we are unable to offer you a position in the 2014 entering class before the class matriculates in August, we will offer you a deferred admission to the 2015 entering class.

A deferred admission to our 2015 entering class would require you to submit a 2015 AMCAS deferred matriculant application, for which there would be no application fee but which would prohibit you from applying to other medical schools for the 2015 entering class.

This assurance does not require any action or commitment on your part at this time. You remain free to pursue any opportunities available to you for the duration of the 2014 application cycle. We simply want you to know that we would be delighted to see you at TUSM, and if we are not able to offer you a seat this year, we are willing to guarantee you a seat for next year.

We remain hopeful that we may be able to offer you a position for 2014, and we will contact you promptly if we are able to do so. If not, we will contact you in the summer regarding your interest in a deferred admission to our 2015 entering class.
 
Got this message today!

The TUSM Admissions Committee was very favorably impressed with your application to our 2014 entering class.

Although we do not currently have openings in the class, we do expect some attrition around the May 15 multiple-acceptance deadline and thereafter. We hope to be able to offer you a position in the traditional MD program, regular track in the late spring or summer.

Because our committee holds your candidacy in such high regard, we would like to assure you now that if we are unable to offer you a position in the 2014 entering class before the class matriculates in August, we will offer you a deferred admission to the 2015 entering class.

A deferred admission to our 2015 entering class would require you to submit a 2015 AMCAS deferred matriculant application, for which there would be no application fee but which would prohibit you from applying to other medical schools for the 2015 entering class.

This assurance does not require any action or commitment on your part at this time. You remain free to pursue any opportunities available to you for the duration of the 2014 application cycle. We simply want you to know that we would be delighted to see you at TUSM, and if we are not able to offer you a seat this year, we are willing to guarantee you a seat for next year.

We remain hopeful that we may be able to offer you a position for 2014, and we will contact you promptly if we are able to do so. If not, we will contact you in the summer regarding your interest in a deferred admission to our 2015 entering class.
Congratulations! That's the next best thing you can get to an outright acceptance... a guaranteed one for next year! 👍
 
Congratulations! That's the next best thing you can get to an outright acceptance... a guaranteed one for next year! 👍

Thanks!! actually a year of break would be nice too lol. My mom probably wouldn't be too happy though
 
Got this message today!

The TUSM Admissions Committee was very favorably impressed with your application to our 2014 entering class.

Although we do not currently have openings in the class, we do expect some attrition around the May 15 multiple-acceptance deadline and thereafter. We hope to be able to offer you a position in the traditional MD program, regular track in the late spring or summer.

Because our committee holds your candidacy in such high regard, we would like to assure you now that if we are unable to offer you a position in the 2014 entering class before the class matriculates in August, we will offer you a deferred admission to the 2015 entering class.

A deferred admission to our 2015 entering class would require you to submit a 2015 AMCAS deferred matriculant application, for which there would be no application fee but which would prohibit you from applying to other medical schools for the 2015 entering class.

This assurance does not require any action or commitment on your part at this time. You remain free to pursue any opportunities available to you for the duration of the 2014 application cycle. We simply want you to know that we would be delighted to see you at TUSM, and if we are not able to offer you a seat this year, we are willing to guarantee you a seat for next year.

We remain hopeful that we may be able to offer you a position for 2014, and we will contact you promptly if we are able to do so. If not, we will contact you in the summer regarding your interest in a deferred admission to our 2015 entering class.

If you don't mind my asking, was your application deferred after your interview (what I mean is did Tufts place your application in the deferred pool before you got the above email from them)? Also when did you interview? Thanks
 
I called the office and asked the following questions and these are the answers that I got (I was placed on the deferred list).

Is the class full - no
Has there been any movement on deferred students - some
When will I hear back final decision on deferral - by may 15th
If wait-listed when will we find out - after may 15th
 
I called the office and asked the following questions and these are the answers that I got (I was placed on the deferred list).

Is the class full - no
Has there been any movement on deferred students - some
When will I hear back final decision on deferral - by may 15th
If wait-listed when will we find out - after may 15th

Thanks for doing/posting that! Very helpful information. 🙂
Fingers crossed for all of us still hanging on!
 
Just got my fin. aid package today as well, looks like my MD MBA position will be going to someone else @JHUDJA @Mayflower Hill

Dang! Another person having to give up a spot due to money is a bummer for sure :-/
I mean it's looking bleak that I'll get in, but I'm definitely still hoping for a miracle.
 
Withdrew today from regular MD program, good luck to everyone on the wait list!
 
Ya I was first deferred beginning of April after my ok interview on the first week of March. Then I sent a LOI and I got that email
 
Current first year.

Class is not mandatory. Lectures are recorded. However there are some that are mandatory, namely patient panels/forums and small groups.

Class is P/F, no internal recordings of your grades, no internal rankings. 65% to pass. Some multiple exams have a minimum on the last exam.

Let me know if you have any other questions!
 
I want to hear from those who attended the Second Look this past weekend.. How did you guys find the school second time around? Wish if I could have gone!

+1 I would love to know you guys's thoughts.
 
It was great in my opinion. Btn 100-150 incoming students showed up. The current students were really enthusiastic and the faculty were also very welcoming. There was a tonne of talk about some curricular aspects of the program including the CAP, the Sharewood Clinic and the Selective. There was a tour of the classrooms and the SIM center. All the facilities appear to be pretty new. If there are any specific questions that someone wants answered regarding the Second Look let me know. Hopefully, I'll be able to answer them.
 
It was great in my opinion. Btn 100-150 incoming students showed up. The current students were really enthusiastic and the faculty were also very welcoming. There was a tonne of talk about some curricular aspects of the program including the CAP, the Sharewood Clinic and the Selective. There was a tour of the classrooms and the SIM center. All the facilities appear to be pretty new. If there are any specific questions that someone wants answered regarding the Second Look let me know. Hopefully, I'll be able to answer them.

what was one critique that came to mind?
 
what was one critique that came to mind?
I could think of two. It appears that buying a car is almost mandatory for clinical rotations if you do not already have one. Alternatively, you could go to Baystate in Springfield and do all your rotations there. I heard a lot of good stuff about that hospital and their student evaluations. But placement sites are not guaranteed since it's based on a lottery. Additionally, financial aid was an issue for some of the incoming students. Esp. there was one lady who is really interested in enrolling but didn't get any scholarships meaning $84,303 in loans for annual CoA. I was personally really affected by that. In my case I had a fantastic financial aid package putting Tufts in the range of any other affordable private med school. So I think it's based hugely on the individual's specific financial need and on parental information supplied on the fin aid app. That said, most of the students I talked to thought the sort of education received was worth the price tag.
 
It was great in my opinion. Btn 100-150 incoming students showed up. The current students were really enthusiastic and the faculty were also very welcoming. There was a tonne of talk about some curricular aspects of the program including the CAP, the Sharewood Clinic and the Selective. There was a tour of the classrooms and the SIM center. All the facilities appear to be pretty new. If there are any specific questions that someone wants answered regarding the Second Look let me know. Hopefully, I'll be able to answer them.

Man...I also don't have a great financial aid package so will be carrying a ton of debts out of school. 🙁

Anyway, were there any selective courses that stood out to you? Also, did they talk about housing at all? I wonder what percentage of incoming freshmen live in the dorm or get an apartment.
 
Some unique curricular aspects of the program that got my attention were the Selective and the CAP. The Selective is shadowing program where you get to choose as physician in a specialty of your choice and shadow him/her during the week. The CAP involves spending whole shifts in the practice site of a Primary Care Physician in the area. You get to run histories and do patient interviews on your own and present to the physician in charge. The degree of autonomy varies depending on the PCP you're working with. Also the first two years is strictly pass/fail with no internal ranking. You need, I think, a 65 on an exam to pass so pretty much there is no difference between 65% and 100% on an exam. The guy at the SIM center also said that you could pretty much arrange any clinical simulations that you want and it can be set up for you. I also really liked the idea of the Sharewood Clinic where 1st and 2nd years take care of patients who have no insurance. It is a student run clinic but there are Attendings and Residents present in case extra help is needed. With regards to housing, the main dorm right next to the med sch is the Posner Hall. It's single occupancy with shared gender-designated toilet and bath. It costs about $930 a month. We had a tour of it, and it appeared pretty habitable. That said, most of the students I met lived in the surrounding neighborhoods and towns close to the subway lines that run close to or right through the medical campus---about a 20min commute. If you're coming from out of state and you don't want the hustle of looking for an apartment in Boston then I would stick with Posner. I think after a year in Posner you'll be able to find your way around. The real estate in Boston is kind of funny. In the summer you would likely get a sublet for a couple of months. Most leases in the area start around Sebtember by which time the semester would be in full gear. I hope this helps!!
Man...I also don't have a great financial aid package so will be carrying a ton of debts out of school. 🙁

Anyway, were there any selective courses that stood out to you? Also, did they talk about housing at all? I wonder what percentage of incoming freshmen live in the dorm or get an apartment.
 
Some unique curricular aspects of the program that got my attention were the Selective and the CAP. The Selective is shadowing program where you get to choose as physician in a specialty of your choice and shadow him/her during the week. The CAP involves spending whole shifts in the practice site of a Primary Care Physician in the area. You get to run histories and do patient interviews on your own and present to the physician in charge. The degree of autonomy varies depending on the PCP you're working with. Also the first two years is strictly pass/fail with no internal ranking. You need, I think, a 65 on an exam to pass so pretty much there is no difference between 65% and 100% on an exam. The guy at the SIM center also said that you could pretty much arrange any clinical simulations that you want and it can be set up for you. I also really liked the idea of the Sharewood Clinic where 1st and 2nd years take care of patients who have no insurance. It is a student run clinic but there are Attendings and Residents present in case extra help is needed. With regards to housing, the main dorm right next to the med sch is the Posner Hall. It's single occupancy with shared gender-designated toilet and bath. It costs about $930 a month. We had a tour of it, and it appeared pretty habitable. That said, most of the students I met lived in the surrounding neighborhoods and towns close to the subway lines that run close to or right through the medical campus---about a 20min commute. If you're coming from out of state and you don't want the hustle of looking for an apartment in Boston then I would stick with Posner. I think after a year in Posner you'll be able to find your way around. The real estate in Boston is kind of funny. In the summer you would likely get a sublet for a couple of months. Most leases in the area start around Sebtember by which time the semester would be in full gear. I hope this helps!!

Thank you for your detailed explanations! They helped a lot!
 
does anyone here know Boston well? what areas in the city are good for students? Not too boring/ too far away from school/ nor too expensive?
 
Does anyone have Tufts's 2014 match list by any chance? I can't seem to find it online
 
Last edited:
Just withdrew my acceptance here. Good luck to everyone on the wait list!
 
I called today, and they said that we would find out no later than one week from today. Man...
 
Last edited:
Any deferred applicants hear anything yet?

I was finally officially transferred to the wait list today for the Maine Track. Was anybody accepted or rejected today or was this just the formality that we, the deferred applicants, have been expecting?
 
Last edited:
I was finally officially transferred to the wait list today for the Maine Track. Was anybody accepted or rejected today or was this just the formality that we, the deferred applicants, have been expecting?

I was officially rejected from the Maine track. It wasn't my first choice and I hadn't talked to them since my interview so its no big. Maybe it means you actually have a shot if someone drops their seat? Good luck!
 
I was officially rejected from the Maine track. It wasn't my first choice and I hadn't talked to them since my interview so its no big. Maybe it means you actually have a shot if someone drops their seat? Good luck!

Oh wow, I am sorry to read that but I am glad you have other options! I assumed since there was no advantage for them to reject anyone at this point they were just going to string the rest of us along on the wait list. Interesting to learn that that is not the case.

I've been surprised by the number of acceptees I know who've said they're remaining on another wait list "just to see". I know this is a given, but I can't help but make this plea. If you know you wouldn't come here, please PLEASE don't use this process as an ego boost, at least at this point in the cycle. I'd be lucky to even get a spot on the waitlist from this school, and as I'm sure every reapplicant feels, I have a tremendous amount riding on getting in to A school this cycle. end sermon.

As someone who is only on wait lists at this point, I can commiserate. This has been a very long and stressful application cycle.
 
Top