Hello! Shalom! Salaam!

My name is Amy Spitalnick and I'm one of the Senior Interns in the Admissions Office (and apparently the slowest in figuring out this whole blog thing!). I'm from Lynbrook, NY (right outside of the city) but, even as a Yankees fan, I love living in Boston!

Matt, Nate, Katie and I are looking forward to helping you out with your admissions process - we're here to answer any questions that you may have and give you our perspective on life here at Tufts.

As a double major in Political Science and Middle Eastern Studies, with a minor in Communications & Media Studies, I feel as though Tufts has allowed me to translate my in-class experiences in a hands-on, real-life way...

I spent my entire junior year studying abroad in Jerusalem, an experience that can only be described as amazing. Now back on campus as a senior, I serve as President of Tufts Hillel (www.tuftshillel.org) and am involved in a number of interfaith and political dialogue initiatives. In the past, I've been involved in the Tufts Democrats, Friends of Israel, and the Tufts Daily; I have also played the violin in the Tufts Symphony Orchestra and the Klezmer band (of all things!).

I've been lucky enough to work for a number of political campaigns and organizations, including the 2005 NYC mayoral race, a strategic communications firm in Boston, and The Israel Project (a non-profit that educates the media about Israel). I'm now enrolled in a senior Political Science seminar taught by Alan Solomont (a politico and professor so experienced that only a Google search of his name might do him justice). Some of our guest lecturers include Howard Dean, Sandy Berger, Bob Farmer, Simon Rosenberg, Mark Mellman....you get the point. I actually got to give a presentation in front of Governor Dean the other week... I think it's pretty safe to say that Tufts has given me the opportunity to put my academic background to good use!

Please feel free to comment, send us questions, and utilize this blog as a resource in your college search! We're looking forward to hearing from you and hopefully seeing you on campus!

A Long, Interesting Journey

Five years ago, a seventeen year old boy climbed the memorial steps and knew that Tufts University was the place that he would spend the next four years of his life. It had been a long trip, a flight from Iowa to Chicago, and then onto Boston. A long walk from the T because he knew nothing yet of the shuttle running every thirty minutes straight to Tufts, and of course did not know the shortcut that would have cut at least minutes off of the trip. He went on to visit ten more schools from New York to California with stops in the middle. However, come April, he knew, once the acceptance from Tufts came, where he would attend...

As I find myself reflecting on the time between when I first stepped on campus and now, as a I sit in the admissions office, a senior intern, on the complete opposite side I stood as a senior in high school, I realize that my time here has flown by. Choosing during the middle of sopomore year to double major in Political Science and Economics seems like yesterday. Choosing to take a chance and invest more of my time in the Tufts Christian Fellowship seems like just last week. There have been tough times, there have been great times, and I have learned more than I ever expected...

Through this blog, I hope to be able to give you, the prospective student, a view into at least one of the many lives lived here in Medford/Somerville at Tufts University. Feel free to post comments, ask questions, and let us know what you all want to know about. Good luck in your college search!

Happy Halloween!

It's Halloween on the Hill! In honor of the spooky day, some Tufts students decorated the Jumbo statue in front of Barnum Hall. I'd like to think his jack o' lantern pail is full of peanuts (or Mr. Goodbars, at the very least).

It's probably fitting that our beloved pachyderm mascot (voted the 18th most unique mascot in the NCAA and the only mascot whose name is featured in Webster's Dictionary) opted to dress as a ghost this year. After all, he's the only college mascot with the dubious legacy of perishing not once but twice in a freak accident. (We'll explain his epic history in a future post. It's a tearjerker.)

Pumpkins have also cropped up on random places around campus. The Crafts Center hosted a carving workshop last Saturday, and a jack o' lantern bearing Che Guevara's visage greets visitors to West Hall.

Today, The Tufts Daily created a ghoulish humor issue in the vein of their April Fool's Day pranks. Hillel is holding a "Challahween," the Tufts Association of South Asians is hosting a Gulab Jamun Halloween Social, and local children will probably be stopping by President Bacow's residence, the Gifford House, for some candy.

I went to Senior Halloween Pub Night at Ned Devine's in Faneuil Hall last Thursday. Seniors aged 21 and older dressed up in their holiday best, competed in a costume contest, and watched the second game of the World Series on a projection screen (GO SOX!) Tonight, I'll probably just stay home, watch "Gossip Girl," and eat copious amounts of Twizzlers.

Happy Halloween to all of you!

Now we jumbin, slowly jumbin wit you

I've decided to stop slighting the blog and actually make an entry - I might even do some design changes later on, if you're lucky.

My name is Nate and I'm the engineering outreach intern here at the Admissions Office. I'm having a great time working at the Admissions Office so far, it's been a great atmosphere to come into after working at MIT Lincoln Labs last summer and TAing in Halligan in my sophomore year.

I spent the last year abroad in London, and I left with some bad habits, some good friends, and a whole lotta memories. It was the most enriching experience I'll probably ever have, and I encourage everyone to go abroad, regardless of how much Jumbo love you might develop.

I'm a Massachusetts suburb boy who likes the city and loves the Hill. I'm a little too trendy and a lot too self-aware, but I'll probably be able to answer any question that you could ever have, or at least point you in a good direction. Come join us at Bendetson Hall, it's a lotta fun!

Let's get this started...

Welcome to Mumbo Jumbo!

My name is Katie Winter and I'm a senior at Tufts double majoring in English and American Studies. I'm originally from the small town of Hershey, PA--site of the world's largest chocolate factory! I applied Early Decision I to Tufts and it's been one of the best decisions I've ever made.

This year, I am one of four Senior Admissions interns at Bendetson Hall. I was the Tour Guide Co-Coordinator my junior year and I've worked at Admissions during the past two summers. Over the years, I've served as a tour guide, Overnight Visit Coordinator, and April Open House Executive Board member.

In addition to my work at Admissions, I'm currently writing a Senior Honors Thesis on the representation of the Japanese American internment experience in children's books. I had an internship at the Boston Children's Museum and studied abroad in Talloires, France. I write and perform in Major: Undecided, Tufts' only sketch comedy group, and I've been involved in Concert Board, Surf Club, and several community service organizations. This August, I served as an Executive Orientation Leader for incoming freshmen.

This blog is a new venture for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, and we interns (Amy, Matt, Nate and myself) look forward to sharing our perspectives on all things Tufts.