Tufts University - AcademicsCollege Prowler4.62
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Academics Grades:
Quick Stats
Faculty with Terminal Degree
95 %
Student-Faculty Ratio
8:1
Average Course Load
4–5 courses
College Prowler Take
As a top-tier school, Tufts has an excellent faculty and academics that are some of the real newsmakers in modern philosophy, medicine, chemistry, and psychology. Classes are exactly what the students make of them, and for the most part, so are the relationships with faculty. Students generally find Tufts’ professors approachable, knowledgeable, and easy-going. Office hours are an excellent time to get to know a professor and find out about research opportunities and possible internships, as well as to get some extra ideas outside of the classroom setting.
As for the classes, there are so many options that each semester starts with a “shopping period.” Shopping for classes at Tufts is like shopping for a car. What you choose to take depends strongly on the subject and the instructor. Some professors are Porsches or convertibles, and of course, there are always a few lemons. Don’t be afraid to drop a class during the add-drop period if the professor bores you to tears because there are plenty of other really exciting professors. With such a top-notch faculty, it’s important to talk to friends, upperclassmen, and even other faculty members to figure out what courses and teachers are best suited to your taste. Tufts’ professors are really just grown-up students, and if you take the opportunity to get to know them outside of class, you will really enhance your college experience.
Students Speak Out
Love your school more than free food? Hate your school more than term papers?
Somewhere in between? Show the world what YOU think of YOUR school:
Anonymous says:  |
The teachers are one of the best...
The teachers are one of the best aspects of Tufts because they are so open and accessible and willing to help. Upper- level courses are designed to bring students’ diversity and range of experiences into the classroom to make the material more tangible and meaningful. |
Anonymous says:  |
I’ve had mostly positive...
I’ve had mostly positive experiences with teachers. There are duds here and there, but I’ve had some life-changing professors, and I still keep in touch with some from past semesters. I found them to be really accessible and concerned for their students’ well-being, both academically and personally. I’ve even had professors invite the entire class over to their houses and cook dinner! |
Anonymous says:  |
It was not really until my junior...
It was not really until my junior year that I really liked all of my teachers and began to form relationships with them. Once you become comfortable with what you want to do, it is easier to relate to teachers, and to take classes with teachers who you like or have heard good things about. |
Anonymous says:  |
The size of the class often...
The size of the class often determines the level of contact with professors, but generally, if you make the effort, you’ll get to know all your professors. All offer office hours and are usually very accessible; they will always accept a phone call or a student who just drops in for help. For the most part, I’ve had luck with professors, and that comes from advice from other professors. |
Anonymous says:  |
Tufts has been known for teachers...
Tufts has been known for teachers that really care about students’ learning and progress. They make themselves easily accessible if you want their help, something which I highly recommend, but didn’t take advantage of until my senior year. |
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Facts
AP Test Score Requirements
Possible credit for scores of 4 or 5
IB Test Score Requirements
Possible credit for scores of 5, 6 or 7
Degrees Awarded
- First professional
- Master's
- Post-bachelor's certificate
- Post-master's certificate
Most Popular Majors
- Economics - 8 %
- English - 6 %
- International relations - 11 %
- Political science - 6 %
Special Study Options
- Early Notification Program for acceptance to Tufts School of Medicine
- Five-year BA/BFA with School of the Museum of Fine Arts
- Five-year BM/BA or BS with the New England Conservatory of Music
- Five-year combined bachelor's/master's in liberal arts or engineering
- Independent study
- Nine-year three-degree program with School of Engineering and Tufts School of Dental Medicine
- Nine-year three-degree program with School of Engineering and Tufts School of Medicine
- ROTC
- Six-year bachelor's/MA in Law and Diplomacy (MALD) from Tufts and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy
- Study Abroad
Class Sizes
- Fewer than 20 Students - 75 %
- 50 or More Students - 4 %
Undergraduate Schools
- School of Arts and Sciences
Best Places to Study
- President’s Lawn (weather permitting)
Did You Know?
You can take a class on anything from bugs to massage therapy in the Experimental College and get full credit.
You can create and teach your own class to freshmen in your junior or senior year.
The most popular class is Introduction to Yiddish Literature, taught by former Provost Sol Gittleman.
Best Places to Study:
Campus Center, President’s Lawn (weather permitting), Tisch Library
Most Recent Contributing Author

Name: Chris Cote
Hometown: Ipswich, MA
Major: International Relations
Fun Fact: Chris is on the Tufts Ultimate Frisbee team.
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