Tufts University School of Medicine
Our application for Fall 2021 is now open!
Below are basic instructions for submitting an application to the MS in Biomedical Sciences program. Once you are ready to apply, you will create an account in our Graduate Health Sciences Application Portal in order to begin your application, and more detailed instructions will be provided through the portal.
Application Deadline
- Application Deadline: July 1, 2021
- The MBS Application will be made available no earlier than late September. It will remain open until July 1st for a mid-August start. Complete applications will be reviewed beginning in late-January and decisions will be released on a rolling basis until the class is full.
- While we endeavor to review all applications which are complete by our deadline, because our admissions process is rolling it is possible the class will fill before July 1st. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a complete application as soon as they are able to ensure it can be reviewed for admission for this cycle.
Prerequisites
The MBS Program has aligned its prerequisites with those of Tufts University School of Medicine. Students must have all pre-medical requirements completed with a C- or better prior to matriculation into the MBS Program.
We encourage applicants to check the requirements at medical/dental schools they may be interested in applying to in the future, as they may differ from the School of Medicine's Requirements.
Application Requirements
UPDATED (1/5/2021)
Due to COVID-19, Tufts staff continue to work remotely. We will continue to update this page as information becomes available. Further, we understand that you, your friends and loved-ones may be dealing with unprecedented challenges at the moment – we can work with you and make a plan for your Tufts application.
The frequency with which we are checking the US mail for applicants’ credentials has been greatly minimized since we are not on campus. Please append unofficial transcripts to your application or send them electronically to med-phpd@tufts.edu.
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Knowing that many applicants may receive pass/fail grades for the fall 2020 semester, we will work with you and be flexible on that; though we prefer grades, if you have a choice, as we approach the spring 2021 semester. Similarly, please be aware that for future applications to medical schools, some schools will prefer a letter grade if a student has that option over pass/fail.
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For GRE test takers, the secure option for you to take the test at home is available. Please see this link to assist you in getting the latest updates, https://www.ets.org/s/cv/gre/at-home/.
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For MCAT test takers, we invite you to visit this link, https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/taking-mcat-exam/covid-19-and-mcat-exam/, which has the most up to date information on exam administrations. You MAY want to consider the GRE instead of the MCAT, but only if you feel equipped to take the alternate exam.
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If you have concerns that you may not be able to provide a test score this 2021 cycle, please email us at mbs.admissions@tufts.edu so we can understand your circumstances.
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Applicants should not delay applying simply because an MCAT score is not yet available.
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We also encourage you to register your recommenders within your application so they can append their letters directly to your application; if sending committee letters or Interfolio letters (or additional materials), please have them sent to med-phpd@tufts.edu. As much as you can do electronically (and not via the US mail) is to your benefit.
In a short essay, please help the Admissions Committee understand the experiences, inspirations, and challenges that have shaped you as a person and how obtaining the MS in Biomedical Sciences at Tufts will further your career goals. Your essay should be typed, double-spaced, and approximately 500 words or fewer.
You have three options for fulfilling the recommendation requirement to the MBS application:
- Each of your three recommenders submit their own recommendations.
- Request that your pre-health advising office submit a committee letter or a packet of letters on your behalf. (Committee Letters must be the full letters from which the composite was made, NOT a letter formed from excerpts.)
- Submit three letters through Interfolio or another document sharing service.
Detailed instructions for submitting your letters of recommendation are included in the online application. Please also note:
- Three letters of recommendation are required.
- The Admissions Committee prefers to see academic letters.
- We do accept letters written for medical/dental school, they do not need to be written specifically for the MBS Program.
- We are not able to retrieve letters sent to Tufts University School of Medicine for an MD application or to Tufts University School of Dental Medicine for an application to one of their programs. You may use the same letters, but they must be sent to our office directly using the process above.
- Letters should mention the relationship of the applicant to the recommender so they can be put into the proper context.
- Recommendation letters may be submitted electronically through our secure website or by mail.
- If you elect to provide three separate letters of recommendation (not a Committee Letter or an Interfolio packet) you will be asked to provide the name and contact information of your recommender. We will then send an email to the people you identify with a link to our secure website to upload your letter of recommendation. We encourage you to contact your recommenders in advance so they are aware this request will be forthcoming.
- If you are submitting your recommendation letters via Interfolio we prefer to receive them electronically at med-phpd@tufts.edu.
- If mailed, letters should be in a sealed envelope with the author’s signature across the seal and sent to our address at the bottom of this page.
A test score is required to apply to the MBS program. The score must be received by our office no later than July 1st. Please plan to take your exam and have the scores sent to us with enough time to make our deadline. Extensions are not provided.
MCAT scores are preferred by the Admissions Committee.
Test
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Instructions
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How to submit
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MCAT
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Log in to AAMC and follow instructions to create and print your own official score report.
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You will be provided with instructions for submitting the .pdf of your MCAT score report, verification code, and AAMC ID in the application.
Do not send MCAT scores electronically to the Tufts School of Medicine, as they will be delivered to the MD program Admissions Office.
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GRE
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Official GRE scores must be sent directly to the PHPD Admissions Office. Please note, there are multiple reporting codes for Tufts so be sure to use the correct code. We cannot retrieve scores sent to the incorrect school.
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Submit directly to Tufts School of Medicine using CEEB code 3889.
Do not use codes 0438, 6997, or 3891, which are codes for other Tufts programs.
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DAT
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The ADA has permanently eliminated paper copies of test scores. Please request an electronic copy to be sent through the ADA website. All DAT Official Score Reports should be sent to the following email address: med-phpd@tufts.edu.
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Please make sure to follow these instructions:
- Go to https://www.ada.org/en
- Click the tab at the top 'Education/Careers'
- Click 'Admissions Tests and Dental Exams' (under the Education column)
- Click Dental Admissions Test (DAT) - located on the left hand sidebar
- This will then take you to the DAT page, click 'Score and Audit Information' - located on the left hand sidebar
- Click the blue box that says: 'Request your score report', and log in with your DENTPIN and Password. After you login it will prompt you to a page that will ask for the following information:
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TOEFL
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TOEFL is required for non-native English speakers. Applicants must possess a minimum TOEFL score of 100 on the internet-based exam.
TOEFL Exam Policy
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Submit directly to Tufts School of Medicine using CEEB code 3889.
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- Copies of ALL undergraduate and graduate transcripts (e.g., EMT courses, study abroad, summer courses, post-bacc) are required for review.
- If you have any courses that are in progress or being completed in a future term, especially pre-requisites, please provide documentation of this (e.g., a transcript that shows courses in progress).
- If you received two degrees from the same institution that are on the same transcript, you will need to list the institution twice, one for each degree. Upload the transcript with one degree and for the other, upload a blank document. If you leave either transcript section empty, your application will be left as incomplete.
- International students must also submit an OFFICIAL WES Evaluation of coursework, sent directly from the evaluation agency.
- We accept both unofficial and official transcripts. Generally, your application will be processed sooner if you upload unofficial transcripts; this is also our preference. However, please note that
- If you decide to matriculate, you will be required to provide a final official transcript from the institution which awarded you your bachelor's degree, with a date of undergraduate degree conferral. Students without a final official transcript on file by the end of business on orientation day will not be allowed to enroll in the program.
If you’re uploading an unofficial transcript to your application:
- Copy/scan/screenshot your transcripts for each college/university attended.
- Upload all pages of your transcript(s) and one example of the back page to provide us with your university’s transcript key. This can be found on the back of your official transcript or on your registrar’s website.
- PDF files are preferred but additional formats are accepted (e.g., .doc, .jpg,.tiff).
- Scanned documents must be clearly legible and on standard US 8.5” x 11” paper. Be sure no text is cut off when scanned
If you are sending official transcripts from your college or university:
- Don’t upload anything in the transcripts section if you’re sending an official transcript. The system will inaccurately count this as your transcript, and review of your application will be delayed.
- Official transcripts may be mailed via the US Mail to our address at the bottom of this page, or electronically to med-phpd@tufts.edu.
- Transcripts are only considered official if they are sent directly from the registrar's office of your institution to our office in a sealed envelope. If you scan your official transcript to your application it becomes unofficial.
Tufts University School of Medicine uses computer-based testing for many of its courses. Exams are conducted using Examplify. Therefore, each student is required to have a laptop. Please note that Examplify cannot be used on virtual operating systems such as Microsoft's Virtual Machine, Parallels, VMware, VMware Fusion or any other virtual environments, unless approved by the institution.
View Examplify requirements
International applicants are eligible to apply to Tufts University School of Medicine, but should be advised that we admit very few and give strong preference to US citizens and permanent residents. We also give strong preference to applicants who have (or will have by the time of matriculation) completed their undergraduate work at a US college or university. The international students admitted to Tufts School of Medicine are usually students who have earned Bachelor's degrees in the United States.
“International applicants” are citizens of any foreign country (including Canada) who do not hold a United States permanent resident visa (green card). Permanent resident visa status is equivalent to US citizenship for the purposes of our admission process and US federal student loan programs.
Please note the following:
- Given the current US shortage of physicians and the uneven advanced training opportunities for non-citizen/non-green card holders, Tufts School of Medicine and the applicant must have a compelling reason for the applicant to study here. This might include a student’s interest in a program offered here that may not be offered elsewhere.
- Accepted international students must be prepared to absorb the high cost of US medical education, and have a full understanding that international students are not qualified for traditional US educational funding including loans and scholarships.
- Accepted international students should have a full understanding that they may have limited options in terms of post-graduate training, both geographically and in within specialties. Because of this, students who are not likely to be able to compete for a full range of career training opportunities and programs beyond medical school will only be considered for admission under unique or compelling circumstances.
- The MBS Application opens in September and the Admissions Committee begins reviewing in mid-January and makes decisions on a rolling basis thereafter.
- You can submit your application before your recommendations, test scores, and transcripts have been received.
- After you have submitted your application, you will be able to login to our application management portal to view your checklist of required items.
- You are responsible for monitoring the status of your application and ensuring that all required materials are received by the deadline.
- Our office will send you an email when your application is complete; until you receive this email, you should assume your application is not complete.
- Some of our document processing is manual and delays can occur around holidays and very busy processing times. It can take several days for credentials to be uploaded to an application, and we appreciate your patience. If a document you submitted has not been added to your application portal after 5-7 business days, we welcome your inquiry about its status at mbs.admissions@tufts.edu.
- Beginning in January, students will receive an admissions decision approximately four to eight weeks from the date that the application is complete. When a decision has been rendered, you will receive an email to notify you to check your application management portal. Note that we do not mail any physical admissions decisions.
Admitted students will have three weeks to reply to our offer. To accept the seat, students must complete the Candidate Reply Form and pay the non-refundable $500 deposit. Extensions are not available.
All supporting application credentials noted above should be sent to:
Tufts University School of Medicine
Public Health & Professional Degree Programs
Attn: Director of Admissions, Emily C. Keily
136 Harrison Avenue Suite 142
Boston, MA 02111
or emailed to med-phpd@tufts.edu.
MS in Biomedical Sciences Program Tuition and Fees
The following tuition rates are for 2020 – 2021 academic year* and apply to students enrolled in the MBS program starting in Fall 2020.
Tuition
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$26,228 per semester (flat-rate)
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Continuation Fee
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$2100 per semester (flat-rate)
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Fees
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$277 per semester
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The current academic year's cost of attendance budget (including not only tuition, but room and board, health insurance, books etc.) is available from the Office of Financial Aid.
* Tuition rates and fees are effective as of July 2020. Note that program cost is set each academic year (June to May) and typically increases a small amount from year-to-year. The Trustees of Tufts University reserve the right to change tuition rates or fees at their discretion.
Students enrolled in the MBS program will be billed by the Public Health and Professional Degree (PHPD) programs for two semesters (fall and spring) at the tuition rate listed above for their first year in the program. Most students remain enrolled in the second year working on their thesis, and are billed the continuation fee only for each semester they remain in the program until their thesis is completed. At current year tuition rates, this means the total tuition cost of the MBS program is $52,456.*
The Public Health and Professional Degree Programs primarily provide financial assistance in the form of federal loans and work-study awards. There are a very limited number of merit-need based scholarships available each year to meritorious students.
We strongly encourage you to submit a financial aid application as early in the application process as possible to allow adequate time for the Office of Financial Aid to process your application. Do not wait until you have submitted your application or receive an admissions decision to apply for aid, as this will delay your personal financial aid information.
Financial Aid and Scholarship Information