These are the most frequently asked questions about the application process for the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Engineering. If you are interested in learning more about Tufts we encourage you to request access to our virtual event library or visit our campus to learn more about our application and admissions process.
If you have questions regarding the admissions process, requirements and policies, or your application, please feel welcome to share those with us via phone 617-627-3395 or email gradadmissions@tufts.edu. Our office hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Eastern Time (ET).
All program-specific inquiries should be directed to your department of interest. Learn about our available programs and their respective departments.
Yes. There is no limitation on how many applications you submit. Applicants are welcome to submit more than one application to the same department.
Tufts offers application fee waivers for both domestic and international applicants. Learn more about our application fee waivers and special funding. We also consider application fee waiver requests on a case-by-case basis, based on financial need. Please fill out the application fee waiver request form to the best of your ability, uploading any relevant documentation (as listed on the form).
You can apply to our programs with unofficial transcripts as long as they are in English and include your name, the institution's name, courses and grades. Please note: enrolling applicants must request the final, official copy of transcripts to be sent directly to The Office of Graduate Admissions from all degree granting institutions and any additional institutions listed on the application. Final, official transcripts should be submitted by August 1st. Find more information on transcripts.
We encourage applicants to request test scores early in the process to ensure they arrive by the application deadline. Applicants may have up to two weeks following their application deadline to submit their required official test scores depending upon departmental review of applications.
Test scores are waived for qualifying applicants within 48 hours of application submission. If your scores are not waived within this timeframe, please reach out to gradadmissions@tufts.edu. Check to see if you qualify for a TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo test waiver. To see if GRE scores are required for your program or if you qualify for a GRE score waiver, please view your program’s application requirements. You can view our offered programs and their requirements.
If you qualify for a TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo score waiver, these scores should not be submitted and will not be taken into consideration as part of the application review. If GRE scores are not required for the program you are applying to or you qualify for a GRE waiver, these scores should not be submitted and will not be taken into consideration as part of the application review.
We encourage recommenders to submit their letters by the application deadline. Recommenders may have up to two weeks to submit their letters depending upon departmental review of applications.
When filing out your application, you will be prompted to register your recommenders. Once registered, recommenders will receive an email prompting them to upload their letter through our online system. Alternatively, we accept letters of recommendation submitted through Interfolio. Please follow the instructions found on Interfolio’s website (scroll to “Confidential letter upload”) to have the letters uploaded straight to our system.
Tufts engages in comprehensive application review, meaning all components of the application are reviewed as part of a whole. There are no GPA cut-offs or minimums.
We do accept 3-year bachelor's degrees. Applicants must have obtained a bachelor's degree by the time of enrollment to be eligible to apply to our graduate programs.
Applicants do not need to have earned a master's degree to apply to our PhD programs. Applicants are eligible to apply to our PhD programs if they have earned their bachelor's degree. We encourage applicants to review program pages to ensure they meet department requirements.
You do not need to secure an advisor before you apply. We do, however, recommend that you reach out to faculty members of interest you're interested in to get a sense of who you'd like to work with.