Tufts University

A research university outside Boston with strong international relations, child development, and engineering programs.

Medford, MAUniversity
Verified Jul 19, 20262026-2027 cycle
View official admissions source →
Next deadline
Nov 1, 2026
Early Decision
Essays
5
Prompts
Supplement
Required
2026-2027 cycle
Platform
Common App
Accepted platform
Selectivity
9.5%
Highly selective
Enrollment
6,846
Mid-size undergrad

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Application deadlines

RoundDeadlineStatus
Early DecisionNovember 1, 2026102 days away
Early Decision IIJanuary 4, 2027166 days away
Regular DecisionJanuary 4, 2027166 days away

Supplemental essay prompts

  1. Why School150 words2026-2027

    Please describe how you have learned about and engaged with Tufts during your college search process.

  2. Supplement200 words2026-2027

    Tell us about one of your favorite school assignments in the past two years. What was the assignment and why did you enjoy it?

  3. Supplement200 words2026-2027

    Tell us about an engineering or science-related project that you have helped build, design, create, or iterate in the past two years. What was the project and what was your role?

  4. Supplement200 words2026-2027

    Tell us more about a specific piece in your portfolio. What were the ideas you intended to explore, and how did those ideas inform the process of making the piece?

  5. Supplement200 words2026-2027

    Tell us more about a specific piece in your portfolio. How did an academic course, project, or interest inspire the ideas that you explored in this piece? Or, how did making this piece influence your academic interests?

How to approach Tufts University's supplemental essays

Prompt 1 · 150 words

Make fit concrete

Name one academic or community reason, then connect it to a scene from your life. The school detail should prove fit, not decorate the paragraph.

Prompt 2 · 200 words

Choose a role before you draft

Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.

Prompt 3 · 200 words

Choose a role before you draft

Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.

Prompt 4 · 200 words

Choose a role before you draft

Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.

Prompt 5 · 200 words

Choose a role before you draft

Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.

Example essay shell

Use this as a blank structure for a Tufts University why-school response, then replace every bracket with your own specifics.

  1. Open on [specific scene, object, problem, or conversation].
  2. Show what [choice/action/constraint] reveals about how you think.
  3. Connect that trait to [school program, community, lab, class, or value].
  4. End with the contribution you want to make at Tufts University, not a compliment.

Need more help with this application?

Use our guides to plan your supplement, sharpen your Why Us research, and review your draft before you submit.

PlanSupplemental essay guide →ResearchWhy Us essay guide →ReviewEvaluate an essay draft →

Frequently asked questions

How many supplemental essays does Tufts University require?

Tufts University has 5 supplemental essays listed for the 2026-2027 application cycle, in addition to the shared application essay.

Does Tufts University accept the Common Application?

Yes — Tufts University accepts the Common Application.

What is Tufts University's acceptance rate?

Tufts University's most recently reported acceptance rate is 9.5%.

When is Tufts University's next application deadline?

Tufts University's next listed application deadline is the Early Decision round on November 1, 2026.

What is Tufts University's "Please describe how you have learned…" prompt (#1, 150 words)?

Please describe how you have learned about and engaged with Tufts during your college search process.

What is Tufts University's "Tell us about one of your…" prompt (#2, 200 words)?

Tell us about one of your favorite school assignments in the past two years. What was the assignment and why did you enjoy it?

What is Tufts University's "Tell us about an engineering or…" prompt (#3, 200 words)?

Tell us about an engineering or science-related project that you have helped build, design, create, or iterate in the past two years. What was the project and what was your role?

What is Tufts University's "Tell us more about a specific…" prompt (#4, 200 words)?

Tell us more about a specific piece in your portfolio. What were the ideas you intended to explore, and how did those ideas inform the process of making the piece?

What is Tufts University's "Tell us more about a specific…" prompt (#5, 200 words)?

Tell us more about a specific piece in your portfolio. How did an academic course, project, or interest inspire the ideas that you explored in this piece? Or, how did making this piece influence your academic interests?

Sources and verification

We prioritize Tufts University's official admissions pages for school-specific prompts and deadlines, then use application-platform and federal sources as cross-checks. This record was last verified on July 19, 2026 for the 2026-2027 cycle.

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