Tufts University Top Questions

There are a lot of requirements, so make sure you really want a liberal arts education. Some of the intro courses are pretty damn hard, so don't just take them as a joke. They are definitely a step up from APs and there isn't grade inflation. Most larger classes' grade point average is an 80

The academic atmosphere is probably one of my favorite things about Tufts. The professors try to learn your name even if it's a big lecture class of 100 or more. Students like to cooperate with one another rather than compete, so it's a great environment to work in. I hear intellectual conversations wherever I am. I think the education at Tufts is geared toward learning, but Tufts tries to make sure that what you're learning will be useful someday.

my classes are small: i have one class with nine people as a freshman, which is a great discussion class and i only have one large lecture intro class. most professors encourage participation and want to meet you outside of class. i never feel like there is so much work that it's impossible, fairly low stress level if you can manage your time. there are a lot of requirements, but they are easy enough to fulfill and you can count them towards your major. For the science requirement you can take non-labs like nutrition, plants and humanities, and biological anthropology.

One thing is for sure. College can change your plans! I had always wanted to study architectural studies and came to Tufts and took classes geared towards it my first semester in the fall. What I found was classes that didn't interest me and gave me lots of trouble. The great thing about college is that it is an environment in which you can experiment in- I didn't really do that academically my first semester and I regret it. Second semester came around and I took random courses that really interested me and had nothing to do with architecture. I fell in love with two of my classes and now think I know what I REALLY want to do with my life. These classes are Biological Anthropology and Drugs and Behavior. Biological Anthropology is by far my favorite class. For a person who doesn't enjoy lectures, I love this one. My professor is so interesting, although usually late, he makes class enjoyable every single Monday and Friday. He adds personal anecdotes to help us think about things in terms of real life and they also tend to make us laugh. In small classes such as language courses and english classes it is extremely easy to get to know your professors. I have a great relationship with my Spanish teachers and my English teachers. They know me outside of the classroom. In a large lecture class such as art history or biological anthropology you have to make an effort to have a relationship with your teacher. You have to go to office hours or talk to them after class which is understandable- they can't memorize 150 kids names and know about each of their lives. You can tell right of the bat that a Tufts student truely cares about their education. They are interested in learning for the sake of learning, yet also taking that knowledge and applying it outside of school. Students definitely feel the pressure to get internships and or jobs but that is not what first comes to mind when learning.

If not in a lecture class, it's very easy for professors to get to know you, but you have to take the initiative. It's college. They're not there to baby you. Many of them are down-to-earth, but I've met a couple of professors who are pretty stuffy and rigid. Students aren't terribly competitive, which I like. You think you want to go to a competitive college. Let me tell you, hells no. I already competed enough in high school, and right now I am exploring the subjects that I want without worrying so much about my GPA.

Some professors know my name. It really depends on whether you make the effort to get to know THEM or on the size of the class. My favorite class is my Hebrew class which has about 15 students and the professor definitely knows my name. My least favorite class so far is Nonwestern Women Writers, an English class that I took first semester that was just incredible impersonal and not my style. Some students study a LOT some students dont study...there is a wide spectrum. Yes to intellectual conversations...even in my very laid back group of friends we have quite a bit. The most unique class I have taken is INtro to Yiddish Culture which is FABULOUS and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone. I think a Tufts education is geared more towards the side of learning for its own sake, however in recent years I think it has shifted slightly. Education for the sake of knowledge and bettering the world is TUfts general philosophy I think.

Classes get small once you get out of the intro classes. Some of the classes are as small by Sophomore year as 6 students, while others are still around 30. Students have a lot of intellectual conversations outside of class, and it's welcomed to talk about such things. Students aren't competitive, and are always willing to help other students. Engineering is pretty underrated, and it's one of the harder departments in the school.

I think the academics here are pretty great. The classes are engaging without being too challenging. The only classes I don't really like are the large lecture hall ones but there aren't too many of those. My favorite classes are the specific art history ones (ie Romantiscm and Realism or Medieval Art of the Mediterranean) because they're fascinating and you really get to know the professors. Students here study a lot and they're pretty competitive even though nobody likes to think so. On any given weekend during the day most people can be found in the library.

Besides big intro-level classes, most classes are small enough for students to form relationship with the professors. I've been happy with nearly all of my classes and professors, but I always find out as much information on classes before I register for them. There's plenty of student feedback online to make good choices. Students study a good amount (the library is always packed on Sunday and before midterms and finals, and generally pretty full in between), but not excessively. Class participation is average, depending on the type of class. Students are not outwardly competitive, but usually very driven and interested in what they're learning. My major is new and therefore the department is small and sometimes disorganized, but the professors are great. I spend time with my advisor outside of class. Tufts has a LOT of requirements, which get tedious and annoying, but it forced me to take classes in subjects I never would have studied otherwise (a nice well-rounded liberal arts education).

Yes, I know my professors name. My favorite class is thermodynamics because it is applying all I have learned to real life issues. My least favorite class is materials because it is just another form of physics. I study quite often. Class participation is not prevalent enough. Tufts students definitely have intellectual conversations outside of class. Students are also rather competitive. I spend time with the professor who mentors me for Nerd Girls. TUfts academic requirements for engineers are too rigid.