Tufts University supplemental essays, 2026-27
Tufts University lists 5 supplemental questions for 2026-27, 950 words in all. One is a "why this school" question, which is the one prompt you cannot reuse from another application.
The 5 prompts
In the order the school lists them. A limit appears only where the school prints one.
Please describe how you have learned about and engaged with Tufts during your college search process (75-150 words).
What it asks for: personal story.
Tell us about one of your favorite school assignments in the past two years. What was the assignment and why did you enjoy it?
What it asks for: why this school.
Tell us about an engineering or science-related project that you have helped build, design, create, or iterate in the past two years. What was the project and what was your role?
What it asks for: personal story.
Tell us more about a specific piece in your portfolio. What were the ideas you intended to explore, and how did those ideas inform the process of making the piece?
What it asks for: personal story.
Tell us more about a specific piece in your portfolio. How did an academic course, project, or interest inspire the ideas that you explored in this piece? Or, how did making this piece influence your academic interests?
What it asks for: personal story.
Source: Tufts University, read October 24, 2026. Confirm the prompts in your application before you submit.
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Questions
1. Please describe how you have learned about and engaged with Tufts during your college search process (75-150 words). (150 words) 2. Tell us about one of your favorite school assignments in the past two years. What was the assignment and why did you enjoy it? (200 words) 3. Tell us about an engineering or science-related project that you have helped build, design, create, or iterate in the past two years. What was the project and what was your role? (200 words) 4. Tell us more about a specific piece in your portfolio. What were the ideas you intended to explore, and how did those ideas inform the process of making the piece? (200 words) 5. Tell us more about a specific piece in your portfolio. How did an academic course, project, or interest inspire the ideas that you explored in this piece? Or, how did making this piece influence your academic interests? (200 words)
Short Answer Prompt #1: 150 words; Short Answer Prompt #2 - School of Arts and Sciences: 200 words; Short Answer Prompt #2 - School of Engineering: 200 words; Short Answer Prompt #2 - Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) program: 200 words; Short Answer Prompt #2 - Combined Degree (BFA+BA/BS) program: 200 words.
These prompts ask about personal story, why this school. The why-this-school answer must be written for this school. Answers about a community, a challenge or an activity often adapt from drafts for other schools; My Schools maps which of your drafts fits which prompt.
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