2014-2015 Tufts University Application Thread

[godawg300]

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For the pre-req portion, what are you guys doing if you have not yet completed all of them. I'm taking Biochem this fall and wondering if I should just list it with the date I anticipate to complete it.

 

[mollyguacomole]

What are your guys' thoughts on the diversity prompt? Since it's optional, I don't want to put something about diversity in experiences like studying abroad/non-science major as I have for other schools, if what they really are asking for is more legitimate forms of diversity (like someone else mentioned, I'm white and from the 'burbs)

 

[claduva94]

What are your guys' thoughts on the diversity prompt? Since it's optional, I don't want to put something about diversity in experiences like studying abroad/non-science major as I have for other schools, if what they really are asking for is more legitimate forms of diversity (like someone else mentioned, I'm white and from the 'burbs)

I think you can interpret it both ways. But I think you should answer it. Saying no, I cannot contribute to the school's diversity kind of sounds off.

 

[BrCo]

Diversity does NOT equal ethnic/racial boundaries in cases where medical school request you to fill in this prompt. Interpret diversity as a set of unique experiences that other people may not have. What makes you you?

 

[FindMeOnTheLinks]

I did a "Why Tufts" essay for the first part, and opted for leaving the diversity essay blank.

 

[virginiayankee]

I was thinking of using the first essay to explain how I was sick during a poor semester. But now everyone is doing Why tufts..

 

[ScentOfPeace]

I was thinking of using the first essay to explain how I was sick during a poor semester. But now everyone is doing Why tufts..

You can do whatever you want. It doesn't really matter what everyone else is doing.

 

[AspiringERMD]

I was thinking of using the first essay to explain how I was sick during a poor semester. But now everyone is doing Why tufts..

I actually did both, haha.

 

[slopes23]

I left it blank...

 

[BrCo]

Exactly... Imagine a situation where you have an optional essay but all people write on the exact same topic. Haha. I would definitely suspect some sort of mob mentality was taking place on SDN.

You can do whatever you want. It doesn't really matter what everyone else is doing.

 

[sunflower18]

I left it blank...

Me too...


Posted using SDN Mobile

 

[areserine]

Me three... I assumed they were looking for an update sort of thing, and I didn't have anything to update...

 

[echo87]

Got the secondary this morning but noticed that it said that you should wait until EVERYTHING is submitted to AMCAS before submitting their secondary. My committee hasn't uploaded my letters yet so I guess I'll be waiting to submit Tufts' secondary :/

It mentions that the AMCAS app needs to be complete, and I'm pretty sure it can be completed, submitted, & verified without all the letters being received.

 

[Tappinfool66]

It mentions that the AMCAS app needs to be complete, and I'm pretty sure it can be completed, submitted, & verified without all the letters being received.

Yes, your AMCAS can be completed, submitted and verified without letters being received, and mine is already verified. But Tufts email also says that you should only submit your application after all your preferred data is in AMCAS. I guess it's up to interpretation but that way I'm understanding it is that they want us to wait until everything is in AMCAS to submit the secondary.

 

[looncat]

I was thinking of using the first essay to explain how I was sick during a poor semester. But now everyone is doing Why tufts..

The prompt is just for additional comments. I figured since I didn't have any updates or anything else to explain I'd do a why Tufts since I feel weird about leaving it blank because of my average stats.

 

[ZymurgySurfer]

For the competencies, did you just put down exactly what would fill it (such as one year of intro biology) or did you also include upper level classes that would go beyond what they requested?

 

[TheHikingLife]

I wrote a haiku for the optional essay, I'm hoping this will show my creativity and understanding of syllable counts.

 

[GeneParmesan29]

Is it bad if I don't write either of the essays? I don't have much to tell them and really contribute 0% to diversity lol

 

[juliuspepperwood]

Is it bad if I don't write either of the essays? I don't have much to tell them and really contribute 0% to diversity lol

Diversity isn't just race or ethnicity, do you have any uncommon experiences or skills?

 

[GeneParmesan29]

Diversity isn't just race or ethnicity, do you have any uncommon experiences or skills?

Not particularly? White kid from the suburbs with good MCAT, GPA, and EC's. Haven't gone anywhere to have any amazing or interesting experiences. My most impressive skill is that I can touch my nose with my tongue, but I'm not sure that's what they are looking for

 

[houston9]

Not particularly? White kid from the suburbs with good MCAT, GPA, and EC's. Haven't gone anywhere to have any amazing or interesting experiences. My most impressive skill is that I can touch my nose with my tongue, but I'm not sure that's what they are looking for

you could make the argument that in order for Tufts' student body to be as diverse as possible there must be a really ordinary person to make everyone else appear super unique. you would be that person. you would increase their overall diversity by making every single other person appear more diverse. you would be the best "zero" on the diversity barometer that is necessary for calibration.

 

[Jhags]

What are you guys filling out for the courses and competencies? I'm not sure if I should just list courses for everything, or write a detailed account of why I am competent in a given area. Writing that I am a native English speaker for my competency in English feels a bit silly to me...

 

[predoc26]

@Jhags I am working on that right now. I'm just listing the course names and numbers as they request that, and just write that you competed your coursework at an english speaking university?

On another note is it douchey to list all of my advanced bio classes in addition to the year of into courses?

 

[ZymurgySurfer]

@Jhags I am working on that right now. I'm just listing the course names and numbers as they request that, and just write that you competed your coursework at an english speaking university?

On another note is it douchey to list all of my advanced bio classes in addition to the year of into courses?

I've been wondering the same thing, but I'm ready to submit so I think I'm just going to list exactly what it asks for. They have our transcripts anyhow

 

[andrewRA4]

@Jhags I am working on that right now. I'm just listing the course names and numbers as they request that, and just write that you competed your coursework at an english speaking university?

On another note is it douchey to list all of my advanced bio classes in addition to the year of into courses?

Wondering this as well lol.

 

[ScentOfPeace]

I just wrote that I attended an English speaking university. I think ya'll are overthinking it.

 

[Kjbds1]

Maine Track 3rd year here. Feel free to ask me any questions, either on this forum or privately. I'll try and check back every couple days on the forum.

As far as the diversity question goes, I didn't leave a single question blank. I figured that since Tufts gets about 10,000 applications and interviews less than 1000, anything I could do to get into the interview pool. I would say that studying abroad definitely contributes to diversity - you have a breadth of experience that others do not.
I'm certainly not advocating gilding the lily, or talking about the leadership you gained from being the second assistant to the secretary of the Pre-Med club, but do advocate for yourself.

 

[looncat]

@Jhags I am working on that right now. I'm just listing the course names and numbers as they request that, and just write that you competed your coursework at an english speaking university?

On another note is it douchey to list all of my advanced bio classes in addition to the year of into courses?

It's not douchey, just unnecessary. I think they just want you to list what would fulfill the requirement and then they have your transcript to see all the other classes you took.

 

[ThisCouldBeYou]

Not particularly? White kid from the suburbs with good MCAT, GPA, and EC's. Haven't gone anywhere to have any amazing or interesting experiences. My most impressive skill is that I can touch my nose with my tongue, but I'm not sure that's what they are looking for

I think that's a wonderful difference! It really speaks to the diversity issue. Your skills will truly stand out and contribute to the class. I think you should definitely write about this ability. It probably took many years of practice to be so accomplished. 🙂

 

[student1888]

Hi everyone, I'm a current Tufts 3rd year. I would be happy to answer any questions you have about the school or applying in general, so feel free to post in the thread or PM me. I have had a great experience at Tufts and think it offers a really well balanced program. I'll try to respond in a timely manner, but I have a bit less free time now than in past years, so there may be a little delay in getting back to you.

Hi, if I apply to Tufts in the Maine Track and don't get into the Maine Track, do I still have a shot at getting into Tufts? I'm not sure if applying to the Maine Track limits my options for getting into Tufts in general, or if I am still eligible to attend Tufts minus the Maine Track.

Thanks for any info!

 

[HeLaDeala]

Warning: If you send in an application to a dual-degree program and then withdraw it, you will not be able to re-submit

 

[Chir0nex]

Hi, if I apply to Tufts in the Maine Track and don't get into the Maine Track, do I still have a shot at getting into Tufts? I'm not sure if applying to the Maine Track limits my options for getting into Tufts in general, or if I am still eligible to attend Tufts minus the Maine Track.

Thanks for any info!

So I think you can apply to both programs separately, and I don't think it affects your chances to do so. However, I did not do Maine Track so I have very little experience with it. I saw that there is a Maine track 3rd year who posted earlier in the thread who probably has more answers, but for this type of question you can contact the admissions department and ask what the policy is.

 

[F.Underwood]

Do you guys think they have begun reading secondaries?

 

[Overanxious]

Applying here OOS! Stopped in to check what others were doing for the first prompt (seems up for debate). Good luck everyone!

 

[Osteoth]

Warning: If you send in an application to a dual-degree program and then withdraw it, you will not be able to re-submit

Can you please direct me to where it says that?

 

[HeLaDeala]

Can you please direct me to where it says that?

It doesn't say that anywhere, but I submitted an app for a dual degree, then withdrew it shortly after to first read up the program's separate admissions requirements. When I returned, I was locked out of resubmitting and I had to call their admissions to get it sorted out.

 

[ConsultantMD]

It doesn't say that anywhere, but I submitted an app for a dual degree, then withdrew it shortly after to first read up the program's separate admissions requirements. When I returned, I was locked out of resubmitting and I had to call their admissions to get it sorted out.

Is our MD app held up if we do not submit the dual degree one? I did one dual degree app, but not the other so far.

 

[claduva94]

Is our MD app held up if we do not submit the dual degree one? I did one dual degree app, but not the other so far.

I think it depends on the degree. Some use different committees and others use the same one.

 

[Osteoth]

Anyone else's secondary app not working?

 

[ClassyBrass]

regarding the instructions to wait until all the data in AMCAS is current, is anyone submitting it before their final MCAT scores are released? I have an old score for them to look at, it's just not a competitive one. However, I'm worried about waiting until mid-september to finally send in the secondary. thoughts?

 

[ndafife]

@ClassyBrass - Would you rather they look at a non-competitive score or wait a little bit to submit? Its all your personal preference. If you submit a weak score, chances are you get rejected. There is nothing that says if you submit late you wont get an II. September isnt that late, its not like you are applying in December or something

 

[Kjbds1]

Hi, if I apply to Tufts in the Maine Track and don't get into the Maine Track, do I still have a shot at getting into Tufts? I'm not sure if applying to the Maine Track limits my options for getting into Tufts in general, or if I am still eligible to attend Tufts minus the Maine Track.

Thanks for any info!

The Maine Track does not limit your options at Tufts at all. You apply separately, interview separately, and can be accepted to both (I was). If you're accepted to both, Dean Neumeyer calls you and tells you you've been accepted to both and to please choose by X date (I can't remember when, but I had a couple weeks to make my decision). Then you get to dance around 🙂

 

[sundancing]

Submitted and complete email received.

 

[cupcakesandcadavers]

if only i can remember to take this stupid headshot picture...
the only ones i have where i look normal/not making a stupid face are from my senior pictures of high school... #oy

 

[baconcures]

This competency thing is wack. Are you guys writing bullet point lists? Or actual complete sentences?

 

[zinthafan]

This competency thing is wack. Are you guys writing bullet point lists? Or actual complete sentences?

Did you mean to put this on Wake Forest's thread?

 

[baconcures]

Did you mean to put this on Wake Forest's thread?

No, I did not apply to Wake Forest o.o
I am just not sure if i should write out complete sentences for what classes I took.. and like others, am not sure if I should list only the bare minimum.

 

[renaissanceman]

No, I did not apply to Wake Forest o.o
I am just not sure if i should write out complete sentences for what classes I took.. and like others, am not sure if I should list only the bare minimum.

i listed, i don't think they want complete sentences. but i could be wrong.

 

[hoihaie]

i listed

 

[Lamel]

No, I did not apply to Wake Forest o.o
I am just not sure if i should write out complete sentences for what classes I took.. and like others, am not sure if I should list only the bare minimum.

I listed bare minimum info. Basically just the name of classes, and/or a brief description of lab work.