Q & A

Ah, if only navigating the college search process was as failproof as this Doonesbury comic! Unfortunately, there are several hoops you have to jump through before depositing your intent to enroll at an institution. The alumni interview is one such Herculean feat of strength.

Once Tufts receives your Supplemental Form to the Common Application, your information will be forwarded to the Tufts Alumni Admissions Program (TAAP). TAAP is composed of over 2,500 fantastic alumni who volunteer to assist their alma mater. A member of the local alumni committee will contact you to schedule an interview. We do not offer on-campus interviews.

Last year, TAAP was able to grant interviews to 87% of the 15,000+ applicants worldwide. All the same, interviews, although highly recommended, are not required for admission. If you are unable to meet with an alum or if you opt not to pursue an interview, this will not affect your overall application.

For example, I applied Early Decision I to Tufts and was unable to secure an alumni interview due to the time constraint and my isolated geographic location. This wasn't held against me and, fortunately, I was still accepted!

Tufts highly recommends that you submit your Supplemental Form early; the sooner we receive it, the greater the likelihood that you will be granted an alumni interview. This is particularly important for individuals who live near metropolitan areas or in regions that we consider to be "high-volume" in terms of number of applicants.Luckily, Jack Bauer of "24" will not be interrogating you. The interviews that alumni conduct enable admissions officers to gain a fuller idea of who you really are--what makes you tick, what makes you unique, and, ultimately, what you can add to the microcosm that is Tufts. These are somewhat informal meetings at your high school or a local coffeehouse, but they can have a significant impact on your file. I think of interviews as humanizing the application process.

Tufts admissions officers stress that they do not want you to reiterate your transcript or information that you already included in your file. Use this opportunity to introduce something new about yourself! Talk about what you are doing in your favorite class, the new club you joined, or the book you're currently reading. The conversation goes both ways: feel free to ask your interviewer any questions you may have about Tufts. Ask him or her how attending Tufts shaped his or her professional life.

Remember, as intimidating as they may seem, alumni interviews are not patterned after the Spanish Inquisition. So take a deep breath, relax, and just tell us why you're awesome!