Two required short-answer questions, which vary by program
Short Responses for the Class of 2030
Applicants to the School of Arts & Sciences or the School of Engineering must respond to one of the following three prompts in 200-250 words:
"It’s cool to love learning. What excites your intellectual curiosity and why?" "How have the environments or experiences of your upbringing – your family, home, neighborhood, or community – shaped the person you are today?" "Using a specific example or two, tell us about a way that you contributed to building a collaborative and/or inclusive community."
Tufts Arts & Engineering Short Answers Q&A Slides
Q: 'Intellectual curiosity' essay?
A:
Identify a specific, unusual topic. Show your deep dive.
Explain the 'why': what fascinates you.
Example: "My intellectual curiosity sparked researching ancient cryptographic methods. I built a working Enigma machine replica, understanding historical security flaws."
Q: 'Upbringing & shaping' essay?
A:
Select one specific environment or experience. Show its direct impact.
Example: "Growing up in a multi-generational home: taught me conflict resolution through daily negotiations, shaping my collaborative approach to team projects."
Q: 'Collaborative/Inclusive Community' essay?
A:
Describe a specific contribution to a community. Show your active role.
Example: "Initiated a 'Peer-to-Peer Coding Mentorship' program. Paired experienced students with beginners. Increased participant project completion by 30%."
Listing activities without specific contributions.
Repeating information from other application sections.
Applicants to the School of the Museum of Fine Arts (SMFA) at Tufts must respond to the following prompt in 200-250 words:
"Art has the power to disrupt our preconceptions, shape public discourse, and imagine new ways of being in the world. What are the ideas you’d like to explore in your work?"
Tufts SMFA Essay Q&A Slides
Q: How to choose your ideas?
A:
Identify specific, complex concepts you address through art.
Avoid generic themes like "beauty" or "emotion."
Example: "Not 'human connection,' but 'the psychological impact of digital isolation on urban youth'."
Q: How art disrupts preconceptions?
A:
Describe a specific artwork or project. Show how it challenges assumptions.
Example: "My sculpture series, 'Invisible Wires,' uses discarded tech to expose surveillance capitalism's pervasive influence, forcing viewers to question data privacy."
Q: How art shapes public discourse?
A:
Explain how your work initiates conversations or shifts perspectives.
Cite a specific instance of impact.
Example: "My street art installation depicting rising sea levels sparked local community discussions on climate resilience, leading to town hall meetings."
Q: How art imagines new ways?
A:
Describe how your art proposes alternative realities or solutions.
Example: "My interactive digital piece, 'Symbiotic City,' visualizes a future urban ecosystem where human and natural systems merge, inspiring sustainable coexistence."
Q: Connect to SMFA at Tufts?
A:
Research specific SMFA studios, faculty, interdisciplinary programs, or exhibitions.
Show how SMFA's environment supports your artistic exploration.
Example: "SMFA's 'Art and Technology' program offers the tools for my digital installations. I seek Prof. Lee's mentorship in computational art."
Q: Manage 200-250 words?
A:
Focus one core idea. One specific artwork/project.
Listing art classes or awards without conceptual depth.
Vague descriptions of artwork.
Lack of specific SMFA program knowledge.
Required for All Applicants
All applicants will also complete this sentence in 250 words or less:
“I am applying to Tufts because…”
Tufts 'Why Us' Essay Q&A Slides
Q: Pinpoint unique Tufts features?
A:
Research specific academic programs, research centers, or faculty.
Identify unique co-curricular opportunities or campus traditions.
Example: "Tufts' Experimental College offers student-taught courses. I seek to propose a class on 'Sustainable Urban Farming Technologies'."
Q: Connect your interests to Tufts?
A:
Link a specific academic or personal interest to a Tufts resource.
Show how Tufts uniquely supports your growth.
Example: "My passion for human-robot interaction aligns with Tufts' Human-Robot Interaction Lab. I aim to contribute to their ethical AI research."
Q: Beyond academics (community & culture)?
A:
Describe how Tufts' community values or culture resonates with you.
Cite specific student groups or campus initiatives.
Example: "Tufts' emphasis on active citizenship aligns with my commitment to local advocacy. I seek to join the 'Tisch College of Civic Life' initiatives."
Q: Craft your sentence completion?
A:
Start directly: "I am applying to Tufts because..."
Follow with precise, evidence-based reasons.
Example: "I am applying to Tufts because its interdisciplinary 'Cognitive Science' major, combined with the 'Center for Brain-Inspired Computing,' offers a unique path to explore consciousness through computational models."
Q: Manage 250 words?
A:
Focus 2-3 core reasons. Each reason: specific Tufts connection.
