Tufts University

Tufts University, a distinguished private research institution, has evolved from its humble beginnings as a small liberal arts college into an R1-classified powerhouse with "very high research activity." Nestled in the greater Boston area with additional campuses in Grafton, Talloires (France), and facilities in Boston, Tufts offers an expansive academic landscape. Students can explore over 90 undergraduate and 160 graduate programs, making it a vibrant hub for diverse intellectual pursuits.

Founded in 1852 by Christian universalists, Tufts was envisioned as a nonsectarian institution, literally putting a "light on the hill" on the barren Walnut Hill. Its early history saw the admission of women in 1892 and the establishment of coordinate colleges like Jackson College for Women. Key figures like Amos Dolbear, who installed an early working telephone, and benefactors like P.T. Barnum, whose donation brought the beloved Jumbo the Elephant mascot to campus, highlight Tufts' innovative and philanthropic spirit from its earliest days.

Tufts is renowned for its pioneering Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, the nation's oldest graduate school of international relations, and its entrepreneurial School of Engineering's Gordon Institute. The comprehensive School of Arts and Sciences, which includes the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, provides a rich liberal arts foundation. With a dynamic student body exceeding 13,000 across its various schools—including medical, dental, nutrition, and veterinary—Tufts offers an engaging and impactful educational journey that encourages interdisciplinary exploration and global engagement. Recent campus developments, like the Science and Engineering Complex and the Joyce Cummings Center, underscore its commitment to cutting-edge research and collaborative learning.