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Frequently Asked Questions
Academic Matters
Financial Matters
Admissions and Logistics
Is the program only for premeds?
No. The Postbac Premed Program is uniquely positioned to accommodate a variety of health-related career
goals. Its flexibility allows you to develop an individualized program of study to prepare you for the
graduate program of your choice.
What does Tufts look for in an applicant?
Because the Postbac Premed Program is designed for students planning to
make a career change, the Admissions Committee needs indicators that a candidate
is making an informed decision and is capable of working up to the academic
standards of Tufts. Every aspect of an application is examined — the transcript(s), letters of recommendation, essay question(s), résumé, and test
scores. We are looking for a strong academic history and either paid or
volunteer experience in the health field.
I have already taken some science courses; can I still apply to the
Postbac Premed Program?
Many of our students come to Tufts having already taken one or two of their
basic science requirements; however, they still have most of their prerequisite
course work to complete. To fulfill program requirements, students must complete a
minimum of six science courses at Tufts. Taking at least six courses gives
the Tufts Health Professions Recommendation Committee the opportunity to know a
student well enough to write a letter of recommendation. Our program is not
intended for students who wish to enhance a past academic record.
I took a couple of the premed courses as an undergraduate, but that was several years ago. Am I an appropriate applicant for your program?
Many medical schools, as well as other health professions schools, expect relevant
science course work to be recent, i.e., taken within 5-7 years of the time of
application. If you took one or two of your premed courses years ago, you would (if
accepted) be allowed to retake them here, along with your remaining courses.
Is an interview required?
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. Interviews are scheduled just prior to each of the three
application deadlines (March 1, June 1, November 1). 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. To schedule an interview, call (617) 627-2321.
Do you have information sessions?
Yes. Information sessions are scheduled throughout the year and are listed on our
web site, here. Any interested student is invited to
attend. There is no need to make a reservation to attend an information session.
How do I get a copy of my test scores?
The Educational Testing Service (ETS)
in Princeton, New Jersey maintains records of every individual who has taken the SAT,
GRE, etc. To receive your scores, contact ETS (phone: 609-921-9000; web:
www.ets.org) and request that they send
your scores to you and not to Tufts.
Please be sure scores are sent to you, not to Tufts. The
Postbac Premed Program
does not have a separate code and cannot accept test scores sent directly from ETS. Scores sent
to Tufts will either go to Undergraduate Admissions (in the case of SAT or ACT) or to Graduate
Admissions (in the case of GRE) and the Postbac Premed Program will not have access to that data.
Only SAT, ACT, or GRE scores are acceptable. Other scores (LSAT, GMAT, etc.) are not appropriate.
IMPORTANT: If your scores are listed on your high school transcript and that is the
easiest way to get them, then it is fine to send us a copy of your high school transcript. High
school transcript(s) are not required otherwise.
My test scores are old. Will you accept them if they were taken more than five years ago?
The age of an applicant's scores is not a factor in our evaluation. What is more important
to consider is whether your past scores (SAT, ACT, or GRE) are indicative of your academic
ability. If you believe they do not accurately reflect your potential, we recommend that you
consider taking the GRE before applying to our program. Please note that LSAT and GMAT scores
are not appropriate test scores for this program.
Does Tufts require a self-managed application?
Yes. All applications to the Tufts Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program must be
self-managed applications. If this is not possible, please contact us in advance to discuss
your individual situation.
What is a self-managed application?
With a self-managed application, the applicant is responsible for collecting all the required
application materials and submitting them together in one envelope. When collecting the materials
be sure that all transcripts and letters of recommendation are in sealed envelopes, with an
official signature and/or other appropriate certification across the envelope flap. Open envelopes
or envelopes without proper certification will not be accepted as official. Once an application
is received and processed, notification is sent to the applicant via email.
How much will it cost to attend this program and live in the Boston area?
The Postbac Premed Program is a significant investment and it is essential that you
formulate a careful and sound plan to finance your education which will include costs in
addition to the (one-time) program fee of $25,250. The program fee will be billed in two equal
installments. The first installment will be due before you begin the program. The second (and
final) installment will be billed later in the academic year.
The cost of living in the Boston area varies greatly depending on a student’s needs and
preferences. In general, you should expect living expenses of $1,600 per month, or approximately
$14,400 for the nine-month academic year. Living expenses typically include rent and utilities,
transportation, and food. An additional $2,000 for books and assorted personal expenses should be
added to this nine-month budget. If you plan to enroll in summer session (and most Postbacs do),
then an additional (estimated) $5,800 should be budgeted for this three-month period. This means
that you should plan to spend approximately $22,200 for your education-related, living, and personal
expenses in addition to the $25,250 program fee for a 12-month period.
Is Federal financial aid available to Postbac Premed students?
For purposes of Federal financial aid eligibility, Postbac Premed students are considered enrolled in
"preparatory coursework to enroll in a graduate program."
You must be enrolled at least half-time
(2 courses per semester minimum).
Dependent students may borrow a total of
$7,500 (subsidized and/or unsubsidized) through
the Federal Stafford Loan Program.
Independent students* are eligible to borrow
a total of $12,500 through the Federal Stafford
Loan Program. Postbac Premed students
can only receive a Stafford loan for a
two-semester period (one year) per federal
regulations.
*For Federal financial aid
purposes, students who are considered
"independent" must be at least 24 years of age,
or married, or an orphan, or a ward of the
court, or a veteran of the U. S. Armed Forces.
As of July 1, 2008, the interest rate is
between 6% and 6.8%. No interest is
charged on subsidized Stafford loans while you
are enrolled at least half-time and no payments
are due on either subsidized or unsubsidized
loans until six months after leaving school or
dropping to less than half-time (2 courses per
semester) status. The standard repayment
period on both subsidized and unsubsidized loans
is ten years.
For complete details about the Stafford Loan
application process, please log onto
http://uss.tufts.edu/finaid/loans/StaffordLoan.asp. Postbac students and applicants
who wish to apply for a Stafford loan must complete and submit the
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Are there other financial aid options?
Most students apply for Federal assistance first and then, if necessary, they apply for loans
through private sources. There are a variety of private loans available. When considering a lender,
be sure that the lender will make loans to non-matriculating (non-degree) students, and check on
whether you must be enrolled at least half-time.
The CitiAssist Loan is a private variable rate loan program sponsored by Citibank. Loan approval
is based on your credit. Students may borrow up to the cost of education minus other financial
aid. The current rate is Prime + 1.0% to Prime + 7.5% depending on your credit score. Repayment of
principal and interest may be deferred while enrolled. For more information, please visit the
Tufts Financial Aid Office's page
on alternative loans.
Citibank is a suggested private lender. Students do not have to adhere to a specific enrollment
requirement. For example, many lenders require that a student be enrolled at least half-time (2 courses
per semester), but Citibank does not. Citibank also makes loans available to non-matriculating (non-degree)
students such as postbac premed students. Many other lenders do not.
The Parent PLUS Loan is available for parents of dependent students. The interest rate for loans made in
2009-2010 will be 7.9%. For more information on PLUS loans, please visit the
Tufts Financial Aid Office's page
on PLUS loans. Students must be enrolled at least half-time (2 courses per semester). If you drop to below
half-time, any PLUS loan funds must be returned to the lender.
Should I explore volunteer opportunities in my chosen career field before applying?
Yes! Exploring your chosen career field is the best way to decide if that field is the right one for
you, and we expect applicants to acquire some experience prior to applying to our program. This
experience need not be paid or full-time and can be in any type of health setting where direct
contact with patients and providers is available. We look at an applicant's specific experiences in
the health care field and the variety of those experiences, as well as the person's articulation
(in the essay) of his/her understanding of medicine. Exposure to direct health care not only serves
as a great motivator for students as they pursue their studies, but also is a beneficial addition to
professional school applications.
Do you accept applications from international students?
While we do accept applications from international students to our program, it is important to
consider the challenges faced by non-U.S. citizens hoping to enter U.S. medical schools. Admission
to U.S. medical schools is heavily dependent on citizenship or permanent residency. Statistically,
only about 1% of matriculating medical school students each year are non-U.S. citizens or permanent
residents. The statistics for other graduate health professions schools are a bit less severe but,
as in most countries, preference is given to citizens.
If you do hope to pursue a U.S. medical education, it is important to keep several things in mind
as you plan your studies. In order to be a viable candidate for a U.S. medical school, you will need
to take some science course work in a U.S. college or university. This can be achieved in a formal
postbac premed program or simply by taking individual courses on your own. If your undergraduate
studies were not in English, you will also be required to take at least two English courses to fulfill
most U.S. medical school requirements.
International students oftentimes have not taken standardized tests (SAT or GRE) as part of their
education, but test scores are a requirement for this program. An application without test
scores is considered incomplete and will not be reviewed. Not only are test scores a vital
assessment tool in our review process, but standardized tests will be a mainstay in your future
medical, residency, and specialty application processes.
International applicants should plan to apply
at least two cycles before they wish to begin
the program. For instance, if an
international student wishes to begin the
program in the fall semester, an application
must be submitted by our March 1 deadline.
If an international student applies for the June
1 deadline (which is the usual deadline for fall
consideration) they will not be able to begin
the program until the following January because
of the time it takes to process a study visa.
The only financial aid our program offers is through the federal Stafford Loan Program. International
students are not eligible for this type of aid. Most of the U.S. medical schools that do accept
non-U.S. citizens do not have financial aid available to them either. Many require students to
prove they have sufficient funds to cover four years of medical school. Unless you can secure
private funding through lenders in your home country, you should assume that you will have to
incur the cost of your education.
Is submission of the TOEFL required?
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of applicants who are not native
speakers of English. A minimum score of 550 points on the written exam, 213 on the computerized
exam, or 79-80 on the internet-based exam is required. The TOEFL score is not required if:
- You are a citizen of Australia; Canada (except Quebec); Great Britain; Ireland; New
Zealand; Guyana; an Anglophone country of Africa; or an English-speaking country of the Caribbean.
- You earned your prior college or university degree in the U.S. or one of the countries
listed above.
- You are currently enrolled as a full-time student in a U.S. degree-granting program or
at an American or English-speaking school in one of the countries listed above and will have
completed two academic years of college/university work before beginning your studies at
Tufts University.
When are admissions decisions made?
All decisions are made by committee after each application deadline (March 1, June 1,
and November 1). We do not review applications and make decisions on a rolling basis.
I know that you do not review applications on a rolling basis, but I just missed the most recent deadline. When should I send in my application for the next review 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.
| Deadline |
Submit No Sooner Than |
| March 1 |
January 15 |
| June 1 |
April 15 |
| November 1 |
September 15 |
Applications received too early will be returned to applicants for a more timely submission.
What percentage of applicants is accepted into the program?
Historically, 20-30% of the applicants are accepted in each application cycle. There is no set
number of "spots" per admission cycle, but the program is very small and competitive. Applicants
are reviewed and selected based on their individual merits and strengths.
How many students are in the program?
To ensure access to the health professions advisor and support network, Tufts tries to limit
the program to between 30 and 40 students per year.
How long is a person in the
Postbac Premed Program?
Students with no previous science course work can usually complete the program within 15 months,
depending on the start date.
How many courses would I take each semester?
We advise that students take no more than two lab science courses per semester. Two courses
allow for a full but manageable lecture, lab, and recitation schedule, with time to pursue a
health-related internship and/or part-time job.
What math preparation should I have before I begin postbac premed studies?
In order to be adequately prepared for the study of the
basic sciences, you should possess a solid understanding of college-level algebra and basic trigonometry.
While calculus is a requirement for some medical schools, it is not a prerequisite for any of our premed
lab sciences nor is it tested on the MCAT, DAT or other standardized tests. Algebra and trig are what you
will need to perform well in the undergraduate sciences you will take in a postbac premed program.
Before you begin any program, be sure to properly assess your skills in these critical math areas.
Review a math textbook, pick up a GRE prep book and work through the math problems, and/or take a college-level
algebra/trig course. The stronger your math skills are coming into a postbac premed program, the better
prepared you will be to excel in your science classes.
What courses do most Postbac students take?
Most Postbac students take the standard 8 required pre-health lab science classes. They are two
semesters of biology (Bio 13 and 14), two semesters of general chemistry (Chem 1 and 2), two
semesters of organic chemistry (Chem 51/53 and 52/54) and two semesters of introductory physics
(Phy 1 and 2).
What is a typical course of study in the Postbac Premed Program?
A typical roster in our program would be two laboratory science classes in the fall or
spring semester, and one laboratory science class in each summer session (we have two sessions).
Occasionally, students need to drop to one course for financial, health or other reasons. Also
occasionally, a student sees that s/he is capable of doing well in three laboratory science
courses in a single semester (usually only after having studied at Tufts first and realizing the
rigor of the courses). Outlined below are three norms for completing the Tufts Postbac Premed
Program. This presumes a student with no science classes prior to beginning the program. There
are many other configurations, and each student designs his/her own plan with the assistance of
the program advisors.
For students starting in the Summer:
| Summer 1 |
Chemistry 1 |
Chemistry 2 |
| Fall |
Biology 13 |
Chemistry 51/53 (Organic) |
| Spring |
Biology 14 |
Chemistry 52/54 (Organic) |
| Summer 2 |
Physics 1 |
Physics 2 |
This student could take the standardized test (e.g., MCAT) in the
second summer and apply that same summer.
For students starting in the Fall:
| Fall
1 |
Biology 13 |
Chemistry 1 |
| Spring
1 |
Biology 14 |
Chemistry 2 |
| Summer |
Physics 1 |
Physics 2 |
| Fall 2 |
Chemistry 51/53 (Organic) |
- |
| Spring 2 |
Chemistry 52/54 (Organic) |
- |
This student is eligible for a linkage program. This
student could take the standardized test in the
second spring or early summer and apply in the summer.
For students starting in the Spring:
| Spring
1 |
Biology 14 |
Chemistry 1 |
| Summer |
Physics 1 |
Chemistry 2 |
| Fall |
Biology 13 |
Chemistry 51/53 (Organic) |
| Spring 2 |
Physics 2 |
Chemistry 52/54 (Organic) |
This student is eligible for a linkage program. This student could take the standardized test
in the second spring or early summer and apply
in the summer.
When are classes held?
The prerequisite science classes (biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics) are held
during the day. Lectures are always held in the morning (three 50-minute sessions per week), but
labs and recitations (small group discussions) are scheduled throughout the day and evening. Tufts
does not convene separate classes for its
Postbac Premed students. Postbac students take the same
classes (at the same time) as Tufts' undergraduates. You can review class schedules on the
University's web site.
Can I work while I’m taking classes in the program?
Many of our students do work while taking classes, but only for a limited number of hours each
week. It is not possible to hold a full-time job and even working part-time during the day requires
planning since our courses and labs are held during the day. We recommend that our students work no
more than 15 hours per week. Ideally, the job will be in a health-related position. This will provide
you with additional experience in your chosen field, further enhance your health professions
graduate school application, and help you to remain focused on your professional goal.
May I take other courses beyond the pre-health requirements?
The program tuition covers the standard 8 required pre-health lab sciences. Students who matriculate
into the program needing fewer than these 8 (because they completed one or two earlier, or because their
professional route does not require 8 courses) may choose to take other courses. Students whose goals
require a different set of courses (e.g., anatomy and physiology rather than organic chemistry) may
take those courses instead. All undergraduate courses, and some graduate ones, are available to
Tufts Postbac students. Students may opt to take additional courses, beyond the covered 8 courses, but
will have to pay tuition for each of those additional courses.
What is Tufts' acceptance rate?
Over 90% of Tufts Postbac students who apply are accepted into health professions schools each
year. The majority of our students enter medical school.
What academic support is available to Postbac students?
The program director of health professions advising and the associate director work closely with
Tufts postbac students to plan their academic program. The advisors help students choose the proper
courses, make decisions about supplemental courses, test preparation, and balancing academics with
other activities. Postbac students have access to all the support services that our full-time
undergraduates receive including free tutoring from the
Academic Resource Center, review sessions,
study skills and time management counseling, disability counseling, access to old exams for use
as study tools, and more.
What is the "glide year" and is there any way to eliminate it?
The "glide year" is the time between beginning the application process to medical school and
actually enrolling. Unless a school has a linkage program and the medical school is willing to
bypass its year of decision-making (which is rarely done), the glide year is inevitable. Our
Postbac Premed Program has linkage programs with the Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston
University School of Medicine, and the University of New England College of Osteopathic
Medicine (UNECOM).
I'll be graduating in the spring and really want to begin my
postbac premed studies the summer following graduation. Is that possible with your program?
Typically, we do not accept new graduates to begin our program in the summer for two reasons.
Our summer session begins in mid-May. We require that a final transcript be submitted to us for
review before a student can begin our program. This requirement is difficult to fulfill when
graduation occurs within days of the start of summer session. It is also our strong belief that
a new graduate should take the summer off -- take an "academic break" -- before beginning our
very rigorous program and, ideally, enrich their experience within the health field.
I'm very interested in your program, but I'd like to come to campus first and talk with some current
Postbac Premed students before applying. Is this permitted?
Certainly you can come to Tufts and tour the campus and even sit in on some of the introductory
(lecture) science classes. Campus tours are conducted by the
Undergraduate Admissions Office. We do
not, however, put individuals in contact with our current
Postbac students until you have
actually been accepted to our program. We get many requests from prospective applicants, but we
must guard our students' time. They are busy with school, work, and family. If you decide to
apply to the program and are accepted, we would then be happy to put you in contact with several
of our current and former students so that you can chat with them about their experiences
before making your decision to enroll. We have many information sessions throughout
the year; attending one of those would be the more appropriate way to explore our program
and get your general pre-application questions addressed.
Is campus housing available for the
Postbac Premeds?
Campus housing at Tufts is reserved for the undergraduate population. If you plan to
relocate to Massachusetts or the Boston area for this program, you will need to locate
your own housing. An excellent web site to explore is the
Tufts Off-Campus Housing Resource Center.
Many students locate housing by reviewing
Craig's List and others contact local realtors.
As a point of reference, the communities of
Somerville, Medford, Cambridge, and Arlington
are the ones closest to the Tufts University
(Medford) campus where you will be taking
classes. If you plan to bring a car with
you to school then you can expand your search to
the suburbs. Most of our students find
apartments (singles and shared) within walking
distance of or a short bus ride from campus.
The public transportation system in Medford and
Boston proper is excellent so you will not need
a car to get around Boston.
I'm more interested in preparing for graduate school (i.e., pursuing a Ph.D. or MPH) than going to medical school. Is this program appropriate for me?
Our Postbac Premed Program is very flexible and can accommodate many career goals.
Typically, students plan a clinical health career when they enroll in our program, but we
have had a small number of students over the years who have changed direction once enrolled
or come with the intention of pursuing public health or another field. It's important to keep
in mind our six course minimum requirement when making your decision. You may not
actually need a formal postbac program to complete your course work. You might simply
need to take the few, individual courses required to meet specific graduate program
requirements. If you wish to take individual classes here at Tufts, you can do that as a
student in the Graduate Career
Advancement Program.
Are professors accessible?
Tufts professors teach our science classes during the school year and, for the most part,
in the summer as well. All professors have weekly posted office hours, as well as meet with
students by appointment. They expect students to come to them with questions or problems, or
to discuss the material being taught. They offer special review sessions prior to exams and
work closely with the Academic Resource Center
tutors to ensure that students get the support they need.
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