Tufts University, a distinguished private research university in Medford, Massachusetts, is renowned for its demanding academics, inter-disciplinary methodology, and global impact. Its intimate community and active citizenship orientation attract driven students ready to create a difference. Tufts University admissions operate on a holistic approach with regard to SAT exam and ACT scores (if provided), GPA, extracurricular activities, personal statements, and letters of recommendation. Although academics matter, Tufts prizes intellectual curiosity, leadership, and engagement with the community.
Find out Which Test SAT or ACT Is Better For You!
1️⃣ Jumbo the Elephant is the Official Mascot! 🐘
Tufts' beloved mascot, Jumbo, was inspired by P.T. Barnum’s famous circus elephant. Barnum was a major benefactor of the university!
2️⃣ A Test-Optional Pioneer! 📚
Tufts was one of the early adopters of the test-optional policy, giving students the freedom to decide whether to submit SAT/ACT scores.
3️⃣ A Global Campus! 🌍
Tufts has a campus in Talloires, France, where students can study abroad while enjoying stunning views of the French Alps.
4️⃣ Alumni Changing the World! 🌟
Notable Tufts graduates include eBay founder Pierre Omidyar and former Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou.
5️⃣ An Underground Tunnels System! 🚇
There’s a network of secret steam tunnels under the campus—though students are strictly prohibited from entering!
Get to Know the process on How to Reschedule the SAT!
Elements |
Details |
College Name |
Tufts University |
College Location |
Medford, Massachusetts |
College Short Form |
Tufts |
Acceptance Rate |
10% |
Graduation Rate |
93% |
FAFSA Deadline |
February 1 |
Early Decision I |
November 1 |
Regular Application Due |
January 6 |
SAT Scores (Middle 50%) |
1460-1540 |
ACT Scores (Middle 50%) |
33-35 |
Get to Know the Recent Changes done in the SAT Exam!
Tufts uses a holistic admissions process. Students with good grades, high GPAs, and good SAT scores are important, but Tufts looks beyond just those statistics. They are truly interested in the personal qualities, leadership, community involvement, and creativity-the kinds of things that would shine through in essays, recommendations, and extracurriculars. Thus, even students with less-than-stellar test scores or GPAs can be very competitive if they show significant achievements or other areas of strength in their application.
Requirements |
Details |
High School GPA |
3.8-4.2 (Typical Range) |
High School Rank |
Class rank, if available, strengthens the application. |
SAT Scores |
1460-1540 (Middle 50%) |
ACT Scores |
33-35 (Middle 50%) |
Letters of Recommendation |
Required (typically two from teachers, one from a counselor) |
Personal Statement |
Required, should showcase personality, goals, and achievements. |
Application Fee |
$75 |
Extracurricular Activities |
Leadership, research, service, and unique experiences enhance applications. |
Interviews |
Optional but recommended for a personalized touch. |
AP/IB Courses |
Highly recommended to demonstrate academic rigor. |
Portfolio (for specific programs) |
Required for arts, architecture, and select programs. |
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Also, Get to Know What is a Good SAT Score for Ivy League Schools!
Tufts University embraced the test-optional policy. Applicants are free to decide whether or not to attach their good SAT scores or ACT scores in their application. This policy gives individual students the flexibility, as he may feel that his standardized test score would not depict his actual academic potential. However, students who have a feeling that their SAT scores will serve as an application enhancement are encouraged to attach their scores.
Use the middle 50% range to determine where your Tufts University SAT scores place you relative to those of accepted students. The middle 50% range represents the middle half of all admitted students. That is, 25 percent scored below this range and another 25 percent scored above this range. The average SAT scores range around 1500 for Tufts University admissions.
Also, Learn Important SAT Grammar Rules for Upcoming SAT Exam!
Tufts University students score quite well on the SAT! On average, accepted students score about 1500 across the board. Looking at the breakdown, the middle 50% typically score between 1460 and 1540. For Evidence-Based Reading & Writing (EBRW), most students fall between 710 and 760, while Math scores range from 730 to 790. If you’re aiming for Tufts, having a strong SAT score definitely helps, but remember—they take a holistic approach to admissions, so things like GPA, extracurriculars, and essays also play a big role!
Component |
Mean Score |
25th Percentile |
75th Percentile |
Evidence-Based Reading & Writing |
735 |
710 |
760 |
Mathematics |
760 |
730 |
790 |
Total Score |
1500 |
1460 |
1540 |
Also, Get to Know What is a Good SAT Score for Ivy League Schools!
Although Tufts University is test-optional, applicants who submit SAT scores can make their application stronger, particularly for highly competitive programs. The following schools at Tufts take SAT scores into consideration as part of their holistic admissions process:
Also, Get to Know What Colleges Take Superscore ACT?
Tufts University has a test-optional policy, where students are not obliged to present ACT scores. But if they are presented, high ACT scores may strengthen an application. Good ACT scores for competitive applicants tend to be in the higher percentiles, demonstrating Tufts' challenging academic expectations.
What are Good ACT Scores? Unlock the Key to College Admissions Success!
For students who report ACT scores, the middle 50% range for admitted students typically ranges from 33 to 35. Scoring within or higher than this range will enhance an applicant's prospects, but Tufts also considers GPA, extracurriculars, essays, and letters of recommendation in its holistic review. That is:
Details |
Particulars |
25th Percentile |
33 |
75th Percentile |
35 |
Get to Know the process on How to Reschedule the SAT!
Yes, Tufts University does superscore both SAT and ACT. So, if you take the SAT or ACT more than once, Tufts will only use your highest section scores from all test dates to build the best composite score possible.
Because Tufts is test-optional, SAT or ACT scores are not mandatory, but high scores can be beneficial to your application if they are within or higher than the middle 50% mark (SAT: 1460-1540, ACT: 33-35).
Tufts values high academic achievement. Almost all admitted students have successfully completed challenging courses, such as Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or honors programs. With a middle 50% range OF 4.11, Tufts is clearly slightly skewed towards GPA of excellence.
The GPA distribution of Tufts admitted students reveals the benefit of a high GPA. However, the holistic approach to admissions balances out all the disadvantages arising from a low GPA and good extracurricular involvement, leadership, excellent essays, and letters of recommendation.
Tufts University embraced the test-optional policy. Applicants are free to decide whether or not to attach their good SAT scores or ACT scores in their application. This policy gives individual students the flexibility, as he may feel that his standardized test score would not depict his actual academic potential. However, students who have a feeling that their SAT scores will serve as an application enhancement are encouraged to attach their scores.
Use the middle 50% range to determine where your Tufts University SAT scores place you relative to those of accepted students. The middle 50% range represents the middle half of all admitted students. That is, 25 percent scored below this range and another 25 percent scored above this range. The average SAT scores range around 1500 for Tufts University admissions.
Also, Learn Important SAT Grammar Rules for Upcoming SAT Exam!
Tufts University students score quite well on the SAT! On average, accepted students score about 1500 across the board. Looking at the breakdown, the middle 50% typically score between 1460 and 1540. For Evidence-Based Reading & Writing (EBRW), most students fall between 710 and 760, while Math scores range from 730 to 790. If you’re aiming for Tufts, having a strong SAT score definitely helps, but remember—they take a holistic approach to admissions, so things like GPA, extracurriculars, and essays also play a big role!
Component |
Mean Score |
25th Percentile |
75th Percentile |
Evidence-Based Reading & Writing |
735 |
710 |
760 |
Mathematics |
760 |
730 |
790 |
Total Score |
1500 |
1460 |
1540 |
Also, Get to Know What is a Good SAT Score for Ivy League Schools!
Although Tufts University is test-optional, applicants who submit SAT scores can make their application stronger, particularly for highly competitive programs. The following schools at Tufts take SAT scores into consideration as part of their holistic admissions process:
Also, Get to Know What Colleges Take Superscore ACT?
Tufts University has a test-optional policy, where students are not obliged to present ACT scores. But if they are presented, high ACT scores may strengthen an application. Good ACT scores for competitive applicants tend to be in the higher percentiles, demonstrating Tufts' challenging academic expectations.
What are Good ACT Scores? Unlock the Key to College Admissions Success!
For students who report ACT scores, the middle 50% range for admitted students typically ranges from 33 to 35. Scoring within or higher than this range will enhance an applicant's prospects, but Tufts also considers GPA, extracurriculars, essays, and letters of recommendation in its holistic review. That is:
Details |
Particulars |
25th Percentile |
33 |
75th Percentile |
35 |
Get to Know the process on How to Reschedule the SAT!
Yes, Tufts University does superscore both SAT and ACT. So, if you take the SAT or ACT more than once, Tufts will only use your highest section scores from all test dates to build the best composite score possible.
Because Tufts is test-optional, SAT or ACT scores are not mandatory, but high scores can be beneficial to your application if they are within or higher than the middle 50% mark (SAT: 1460-1540, ACT: 33-35).
Tufts values high academic achievement. Almost all admitted students have successfully completed challenging courses, such as Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or honors programs. With a middle 50% range OF 4.11, Tufts is clearly slightly skewed towards GPA of excellence.
The GPA distribution of Tufts admitted students reveals the benefit of a high GPA. However, the holistic approach to admissions balances out all the disadvantages arising from a low GPA and good extracurricular involvement, leadership, excellent essays, and letters of recommendation.
Tufts University is also a very selective school with an acceptance rate of approximately 10% and is hence very competitive. With so many applicants competing for only a handful of positions, Tufts seeks students with strong academic performance, strong personal statements, and substantive extracurricular activities. The university operates on a holistic admissions policy and takes into consideration things other than test scores and GPA.
Tufts provides various merit-based and need-based scholarships to assist students in financing their education. Students must apply through the FAFSA and CSS Profile to qualify for financial assistance. Tufts is dedicated to fulfilling 100% of the demonstrated financial need for all enrolled students. The major scholarships include:
Tufts University is competitive, with a focus on academic challenge and a comprehensive review of every applicant. Sending high SAT scores and a high GPA will only increase your chances, but at Tufts, leadership, creativity, and a sense of community service are also important. A balanced application can make you stand out in the chosen Tufts admissions process.
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900–1150* |
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20–26* |
1010–1200* |
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