Applying to the Tufts Postbac Premedical Program

Application Cycles

We have three application cycles per year.  We do not review applications on a rolling basis.  You should choose the application cycle which best fits your schedule and goals. 

Students who wish to complete the program in approximately 15 months should plan to begin in the spring or summer term.  Those completing their undergraduate education who will not be graduating until the spring should not apply for summer consideration.  Fall is the earliest a new (spring) graduate will be accepted to start our program.  Please note that we only review candidates for the next two start dates.

Note that the dates above are receipt, not postmark, deadlines.  Applications received after these deadlines will not be reviewed until the next application cycle. 

Since we do not review applications on a rolling basis, we prefer that applicants not mail their materials too early.  It is very important that an application include the most up-to-date information about the applicant.  If materials are submitted several months in advance of a deadline there is information that is not captured in the application.  Items such as additional time spent working or volunteering in a health care setting, final grades, or other experiences that may impact your essay and new career plans need to be reflected in your application.  This can only happen if it is submitted closer to the appropriate deadline.

We accept applications approximately 6 weeks before each of our 3 deadlines (see chart above).  Applications received too early will be returned to applicants for a more timely submission.

Information Sessions & Interviews

Information sessions (open to all without a reservation) are held throughout the year. Optional interviews are scheduled just prior to each of the three application deadlines (March 1, June 1, November 1). Interviews are encouraged (if an applicant's time and geographic location permit), but not required. An applicant who does not interview is not at a disadvantage. Only students who have submitted an application may schedule an interview. The number of interviews per review cycle is limited so it is advisable to submit your application as early as possible if you wish to schedule one.

Application Requirements and Process

All applications to the Tufts Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program must be self-managed applications.  The applicant is responsible for collecting all the required application materials and submitting them together in one envelope.  If this is not possible, please contact us in advance to discuss your individual situation.

To be eligible for the program, students must have completed their bachelor's degree.  To apply, please submit:

1. A completed application form (PDF).  Print this form out and mail it in with all other documents.  Be sure to include answers to the required essay questions. There is no limit on essay length, but we expect your essay to be concise, well-written, and relevant to the issues we have asked you to address.  Be sure that any experiences discussed in your essay also appear on your résumé.  Be sure to list all colleges and graduate schools attended or currently attending. This information must be on your application form (under Postsecondary Education).
2. A non-refundable application fee of $50 (check payable to Tufts University). We cannot accept cash. Check or money order only.
3. An official transcript from each college and graduate school attended or currently attending (high school transcripts are not required). This information must be listed on your application form.  If your name has changed since you graduated, please be sure to let us know what name(s) to expect on your official documents. All official transcripts must be in sealed envelopes with an official signature and/or other appropriate certification across the envelope flap. Open transcript envelopes or transcript envelopes not properly certified will not be accepted as official.
4. Two letters of recommendation.  Letters should be written on the recommender's official, professional letterhead (no special forms are required) and signed.  They can be addressed to "Admissions Committee".  Envelopes should be sealed and signed across the envelope flap by the writer and returned to you for inclusion with your other application materials. You should not open them.  At least one letter should be an academic recommendation.  Ideally, this letter should be written by a faculty member who can speak to us objectively about your intelligence, academic ability, perceptiveness, study/analytical skills, etc.  Both letters can be from academic sources, or one can be from another objective party (colleague, volunteer contact, supervisor).  Letters from family and friends are not appropriate letters of recommendation for this program.
5. A current, targeted résumé.  Please be sure your résumé includes all relevant paid and volunteer health-related experience, as well as your professional experience to date.  If you discuss a position or experience in your essay, be sure it is listed on your résumé.
6. SAT, ACT, or GRE test scores (photocopy is acceptable).  Scores do not need to be recent.  If you request test scores from ETS, they should be sent to you and then you send them to Tufts with the rest of your application materials.  Please do not have ETS send test scores to Tufts directly.  If your scores are listed on your high school transcript, you may send a copy of that document instead (we do not require high school transcripts otherwise). This transcript can be a photocopy.

Once an application is received and processed, notification is sent to the applicant via email.

All application materials should be mailed by the applicant, in one envelope, to:
Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program
Tufts University
Dowling Hall, Administrative Support, Room 760
419 Boston Avenue
Medford, MA 02155

Applications are reviewed by the Admissions Committee after each application deadline (March 1, June 1, and November 1). We do not review applications and make decisions on a rolling basis.

We review candidates for the next two start dates only. For example, candidates who apply by March 1 may apply for either that year's summer (May) or fall (September) start date. Applicants must indicate on the application form when they wish to begin our program. Only one start date should be specified.