2016-2017 Tufts University Application Thread

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So my status changed back to "ready for review" from under screening process... bad sign?
Don't over analyze the semantics on the portal. Until you get a rejection or an interview, no decision on your application has been made. Trying to decrypt the minutiae will just drive you crazy. Your application can sit there for 4, 5, 6 months before a decision so just sit back and try to be patient (I know that's easier said than done).
 
Hi does anyone know the questions for the Maine Track?
 
Maine Track (3,000 characters each)
1. What, if any, connections or ties do you have to Maine or a similar rural state?

2. What aspects of the Maine Medical Center (MMC) - Tufts University School of Medicine (TUSM) track do you find most attractive and interesting?

3. How do you foresee your completion of the MMC-TUSM track helping you achieve your future medical career goals?

Hi does anyone know the questions for the Maine Track?
 
To be explicit, the Maine Track questions are in addition to the regular questions.
 
Not sure, I named another class I took that dealt with statistics a lot (analytical/material Chem) and from their description it seemed like that sort of thing may fit the bill.


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What kind of photo are people uploading? I don't have a LinkedIn-style professional photo.
 
What kind of photo are people uploading? I don't have a LinkedIn-style professional photo.
Have someone take photos of you wearing a suit and tie in front of a white/neutral background. Decent lighting is a good idea. I just did it during the day so there was plenty of natural light in the room. Crop a bust. Save as jpg.
 
What kind of photo are people uploading? I don't have a LinkedIn-style professional photo.

I threw on a dress shirt and went to Walgreens. For 12 bucks they gave me a print and digital copy of a nice pic against a white background.
 
What kind of photo are people uploading? I don't have a LinkedIn-style professional photo.
I don't mean to be the odd ball, but my picture was [me in a tee and shorts] in front of a gorilla statue at Busch Gardens. Originally, it was a mistake but I was actually somewhat thankful that it occurred because they loved it at Tufts among other schools (i sent the picture to about 50% of schools I applied to). It got a great laugh from them. The interview went very well and I was quickly accepted literally two weeks later. So don't stress over the picture.
 
I don't mean to be the odd ball, but my picture was [me in a tee and shorts] in front of a gorilla statue at Busch Gardens. Originally, it was a mistake but I was actually somewhat thankful that it occurred because they loved it at Tufts among other schools (i sent the picture to about 50% of schools I applied to). It got a great laugh from them. The interview went very well and I was quickly accepted literally two weeks later. So don't stress over the picture.
This is hilarious, I should have sent in a picture of me in a Ghillie suit instead of the profession portrait. Shucks
 
Question for those applying. Tufts is a MAJOR reach for me (3.85, 508) but is it even worth the ~100 dollars to apply? Has anybody in recent years gotten in with an MCAT of 30/508? This is my dream school, being rejected won't be a surprise but I feel like I should at least try. Or is my MCAT too low to even be looked at?
 
Question for those applying. Tufts is a MAJOR reach for me (3.85, 508) but is it even worth the ~100 dollars to apply? Has anybody in recent years gotten in with an MCAT of 30/508? This is my dream school, being rejected won't be a surprise but I feel like I should at least try. Or is my MCAT too low to even be looked at?
use MSAR
 
Question for those applying. Tufts is a MAJOR reach for me (3.85, 508) but is it even worth the ~100 dollars to apply? Has anybody in recent years gotten in with an MCAT of 30/508? This is my dream school, being rejected won't be a surprise but I feel like I should at least try. Or is my MCAT too low to even be looked at?

Your MCAT is within their 10-90 range. Also, Tufts seems like a very "fit" based admission school, not a stat powerhouse. They get so many applicants they kind of need to be.
 
Your MCAT is within their 10-90 range. Also, Tufts seems like a very "fit" based admission school, not a stat powerhouse. They get so many applicants they kind of need to be.

I used MSAR and I know that I'm on the low end. I'll spend the 100 dollars, id rather lose it then regret not even trying
 
Crazy things happen. I think tufts is maybe not as big of a reach as you think it is. I've heard stories of people with LizzyM scores of 65 getting into schools that are in the 70's, so you might as well give it a shot if you can spare the money.


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Crazy things happen. I think tufts is maybe not as big of a reach as you think it is. I've heard stories of people with LizzyM scores of 65 getting into schools that are in the 70's, so you might as well give it a shot if you can spare the money.


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100% worth the money in my opinion. I'm not expecting anything from it, I'm just thinking of it as an expensive scratch off
 
I used MSAR and I know that I'm on the low end. I'll spend the 100 dollars, id rather lose it then regret not even trying
My stats are roughly the same and I applied with the same reasoning. You guaranteed to miss every shot you don't take!
 
My stats are roughly the same and I applied with the same reasoning. You guaranteed to miss every shot you don't take!
Sorry you made me do this...
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Your MCAT is within their 10-90 range. Also, Tufts seems like a very "fit" based admission school, not a stat powerhouse. They get so many applicants they kind of need to be.
What kind of applicant do you think is a "fit"? I was trying to learn this when I originally decided to apply, but it still seems kind of vague to me.
 
What kind of applicant do you think is a "fit"? I was trying to learn this when I originally decided to apply, but it still seems kind of vague to me.

Its probably vague to everyone until you actually go interview at the school(s).
 
What kind of applicant do you think is a "fit"? I was trying to learn this when I originally decided to apply, but it still seems kind of vague to me.
I felt this way too. It was easy for me to pin down what schools like GW and UC are looking for but I had NO idea for Tufts even after looking through nearly every page of the website.
 
Can someone clarify the LOR requirement for Tufts? It seems pretty flexible according to their website... do you think 2 letters from research PI's , a work supervisor letter, and a physician letter are fine? Or should I include letters from profs who I took classes with as well? The first four letters are my strongest, so I'm trying to see if it would be beneficial to keep it to those four. Thoughts? Thanks!
 
Can someone clarify the LOR requirement for Tufts? It seems pretty flexible according to their website... do you think 2 letters from research PI's , a work supervisor letter, and a physician letter are fine? Or should I include letters from profs who I took classes with as well? The first four letters are my strongest, so I'm trying to see if it would be beneficial to keep it to those four. Thoughts? Thanks!
I interpreted it as they had no requirements for letter types. Personally, I submitted my 3 strongest letters: postdoc mentor, science professor (tufts med alum) and other science professor. Didn't realize I could submit more than 3 but at this point its probably too late to add more (under screening)
 
Can someone clarify the LOR requirement for Tufts? It seems pretty flexible according to their website... do you think 2 letters from research PI's , a work supervisor letter, and a physician letter are fine? Or should I include letters from profs who I took classes with as well? The first four letters are my strongest, so I'm trying to see if it would be beneficial to keep it to those four. Thoughts? Thanks!
I would recommend including at least one actual professor letter. It may seem odd if you don't have any letters from someone who taught you.

I interpreted it as they had no requirements for letter types. Personally, I submitted my 3 strongest letters: postdoc mentor, science professor (tufts med alum) and other science professor. Didn't realize I could submit more than 3 but at this point its probably too late to add more (under screening)
It's not to late. Submit through AMCAS and then write a brief note in the portal informing them that you have uploaded an additional letter.
 
Question for those applying. Tufts is a MAJOR reach for me (3.85, 508) but is it even worth the ~100 dollars to apply? Has anybody in recent years gotten in with an MCAT of 30/508? This is my dream school, being rejected won't be a surprise but I feel like I should at least try. Or is my MCAT too low to even be looked at?
Both my GPA and my Mcat were lower than yours and I got accepted. Don't stress.
 
What kind of applicant do you think is a "fit"? I was trying to learn this when I originally decided to apply, but it still seems kind of vague to me.

I felt this way too. It was easy for me to pin down what schools like GW and UC are looking for but I had NO idea for Tufts even after looking through nearly every page of the website.
Having a strong personal interest in tufts, ties to Boston and Mass, and being community service oriented are some ways to fit.
 
I interpreted it as they had no requirements for letter types. Personally, I submitted my 3 strongest letters: postdoc mentor, science professor (tufts med alum) and other science professor. Didn't realize I could submit more than 3 but at this point its probably too late to add more (under screening)

I would recommend including at least one actual professor letter. It may seem odd if you don't have any letters from someone who taught you.


It's not to late. Submit through AMCAS and then write a brief note in the portal informing them that you have uploaded an additional letter.

Thanks for your input!
 
Can someone please clarify the status : "You are currently under screening process". I have been complete since July 7th. Is this a good thing or is it bad that it hasn't changed to "under review" ?
 
Can someone please clarify the status : "You are currently under screening process". I have been complete since July 7th. Is this a good thing or is it bad that it hasn't changed to "under review" ?
I thought the under review status was the "currently under screening process" status. Might be wrong though!
 
Can someone please clarify the status : "You are currently under screening process". I have been complete since July 7th. Is this a good thing or is it bad that it hasn't changed to "under review" ?
That's what mine says too; sorry! That's what I meant by under review.
 
If I remember correctly, "under review" is the step after the screening process. If you're under review currently, then you're in one of the next groups to receive a decision of some kind (accept/reject/interview invite).
 
Can someone please clarify the status : "You are currently under screening process". I have been complete since July 7th. Is this a good thing or is it bad that it hasn't changed to "under review" ?
+1
If I remember correctly, "under review" is the step after the screening process. If you're under review currently, then you're in one of the next groups to receive a decision of some kind (accept/reject/interview invite).
So there's another wait after this wait?!?
 
Am I missing where these status updates are? I submitted 7/22 and mine says "Ready for Review." at the bottom of the status page.
 
Am I missing where these status updates are? I submitted 7/22 and mine says "Ready for Review." at the bottom of the status page.
Nope. Should be right next to "current status".
 
Nope. Should be right next to "current status".

So if mine just says "Ready for Review", there will be another status update saying screening / under review?
 
So if mine just says "Ready for Review", there will be another status update saying screening / under review?
Yep. It'll change in due time.
 
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