More Than 33,000 Apply to the Undergraduate Class of 2029

Record applications received for the School of Engineering and more first-generation college applicants than ever before

Record-setting applications to the School of Engineering and from first-generation college students are among the highlights of the admissions cycle for the undergraduate Class of 2029, according to the Office of Admissions.

The School of Engineering drew more than 7,600 applications, up from 7,500 last year. Upward momentum continued as well for students who are the first in their family to attend college. Tufts received more than 7,700 applications; last year, first-generation applications eclipsed 7,000 for the first time.

Overall, Tufts received more than 33,400 applications, a slight decline from the previous year, said JT Duck, dean of admissions and enrollment management for the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Engineering. For the past three years, he said, applications have hovered around 34,000. Applications to the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts held steady with last year, and applications to the School of Arts and Sciences decreased slightly. 

“Despite the modest decrease, we are still in an era where there is more interest in a Tufts education than ever before,” he said, noting that Tufts continues to attract an exceptionally large pool of candidates given the university’s size. “Tufts admissions staff still finds that Tufts resonates with students looking not only for academic excellence, but opportunities to grow. Our leadership in civic education, our research opportunities, and our interdisciplinary strengths across the liberal arts and engineering continue to attract impressive young people from around the world.”

The admissions process this year included in-person recruitment events in more than 30 U.S. states and territories, with targeted outreach to rural and small towns, and also included attendance at nearly 50 art portfolio day events to meet with aspiring SMFA students. Admissions staff also conducted in-person recruitment events in more than 30 countries on six continents and offered dozens of virtual events via “Fall for Tufts” programming, including admissions workshops, financial aid sessions, mock classes, and student panels. 

Additionally, Tufts became an inaugural member of the Consortium for College Opportunity, which expands the university’s commitment to college access by creating new ways to partner with college-access organizations that support low-income students. “Tufts meets the full demonstrated financial need of all admitted students,” said Duck. “This practice means that a Tufts education is more affordable than many students realize—and we are continuing to get the word out to the nation’s most talented students, from all socioeconomic backgrounds.”

Other Class of 2029 Application Highlights

  • Similar to last year, 61 percent of applicants attend public or charter high schools, an increase from 57 percent just two years ago.
  • Tufts saw its second-largest pool of applicants ever from its host communities of Somerville and Medford high schools.
  • The top seven states by home address are Massachusetts, New York, California, New Jersey, Texas, Connecticut, and Florida.
  • International students—defined as foreign nationals without U.S. citizenship—make up 26 percent of this year’s pool, on par with last year.
  • The 10 most represented (non-U.S.) countries by citizenship are China, India, Ghana, South Korea, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Nigeria, Brazil, Turkey, and Ethiopia.
  • Tufts reported its largest QuestBridge Match applicant pool, from which 42 students have been admitted through early decision, up from 30 last year. QuestBridge identifies high-achieving, low-income students and matches them with well-resourced universities that have a strong track record for supporting and graduating their students, like Tufts.
  • Tufts is in the fifth year of a six-year SAT/ACT test-optional pilot and is reviewing data as part of making an informed decision about the future of the policy, said Duck. About half of this year’s applicants chose to apply without submitting test scores.
  • Decisions for students who applied during the second round of early decision will be released in early February and students who applied via regular decision will receive their decisions in late March.  
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