MS in Biomedical Sciences Admissions

• General Biology I and II with lab (will consider upper level biology)
• Inorganic Chemistry I and II with lab
• Organic Chemistry I and II with lab
• Physics with lab

• General Biology I and II with lab (will consider upper level biology)
• Inorganic Chemistry I and II with lab
• Organic Chemistry I with lab
• Physics with lab

In a short essay, please help the Admissions Committee understand the experiences, inspirations, and challenges that have shaped you as a person and your interests in health care. Your essay should be unique to the MBS Program and typed, double-spaced, and approximately 5,300 characters or fewer.

Your resume should be comprehensive, up-to-date and organized into the following sections: work, academic, volunteering, and shadowing experience. Please provide either inclusive dates or estimate the total number of hours for each experience.

• Three letters of recommendation are required—one must come from an academic source.
• We recommend a second letter be from a faculty member that can assess your academic performance. We also recommend that if you have significant health care experience, that a letter be provided by the attending physician or their designee.
• 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. You may use the same letters, but they must be sent to our office directly using a process below.
• 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 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
  • 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.

You have three options for fulfilling the recommendation requirement to the MBS application:

1. Each of your three recommenders submit their own recommendations
2. 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)
3. Submit three letters through Interfolio or another document sharing service
   • If you are submitting your recommendation letters via Interfolio, please send them electronically at tusmgp.admissions@tufts.edu

All applicants to the MBS program are required to submit test scores, with an official MCAT or DAT test strongly preferred. If you do not feel fully prepared to take the MCAT or DAT, the Admissions Committee strongly suggests submitting practice scores. If you are applying with a practice exam, the Committee expects the test to be a first and single attempt. We require a full PDF report of the overall score and all subscores uploaded to your application.  

If you are applying using a practice exam score, the Committee suggests the following resources:

• MCAT: There are low-cost, scored practice exams available through AMCAS. To submit these scores, save a PDF or take a screenshot of your exam results to upload to your application.
• DAT: There is a free, scored practice exam offered through Kaplan. To submit these scores, save a PDF or take a screenshot of your exam results to upload to your application.

If you are applying with an official test score, please follow the instructions below: 

• Unofficial copies of ALL undergraduate and graduate transcripts (e.g., transfer credit, EMT courses, study abroad, summer courses, post-bacc.) are required for review
• Official transcripts are required prior to matriculation for all degree granting schools, as well as prerequisites
• Students who obtained their degree abroad must submit an official course-by-course WES or NACES member evaluation, sent directly from the agency. This includes Canadian degrees with a grading system that differs from the U.S.

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 U.S. 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 sent electronically to mbs.admissions@tufts.edu or mailed via the U.S. Mail to:
  Tufts University School of Medicine
  Office of Graduate Student Programs
  Attn: Admissions Team, Ariana Balayan
  136 Harrison Avenue, Suite 142
  Boston, MA 02111
• 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 U.S. 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 U.S. 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 U.S. citizenship for the purposes of our admission process and U.S. federal student loan programs.

Please note the following:

1. Given the current U.S. 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.
2. Accepted international students must be prepared to absorb the high cost of U.S. medical education, and have a full understanding that international students are not qualified for traditional U.S. educational funding including loans and most scholarships.
3. 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.

Admitted students will have three weeks to reply to their offer through most of the cycle. To accept the seat, students must complete the Candidate Reply Form and pay the non-refundable $500 deposit.

All supporting application credentials noted above should be sent to:

Tufts University School of Medicine
Office of Graduate Student Programs
Attn: Admissions Team, Nate Ware
136 Harrison Avenue, Suite 142
Boston, MA 02111

or emailed to mbs.admissions@tufts.edu.

Students enrolled in the MBS program will be billed by the 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.

Tufts University School of Medicine Graduate Programs primarily provide financial assistance in the form of federal loans and work-study awards. There are a very limited number of need based scholarships available to all students regardless of citizenship status. All applicants are considered for the need-based scholarships up to $13K. No separate application needed.

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.

View Financial Aid and Scholarship Information

Is this an undergraduate post-baccalaureate?

No, the MBS program is a special master's degree program that requires students to have already taken the undergraduate-level premedical science courses before matriculation. 

For college graduates who have not completed all of their undergraduate prerequisites, Tufts offers a Post-baccalaureate Premedical Program. This program is based in the School of Arts and Sciences on Tufts Medford Campus. Students take an individualized program of study alongside Tufts Undergraduate students.

How long is the program?

The MBS program, including the didactic courses and the thesis can be completed in 12 months, although the great majority of students take an additional one or two semesters following their didactic work to complete the thesis and finish in December or May. The fraction of students who elect to complete the entire program within a year is typically 10-20%, while 80-90% elect to take additional time.

What are the minimum MCAT, DAT, GRE and GPA for the program?

There are no minimum test scores or GPAs. We equally consider the personal statement, letters of recommendation, clinical/non-clinical experience, etc.

What are the average MCAT scores, DAT scores, and GPA of accepted students?

Of accepted students, the average GPA is a 3.3 (overall undergraduate) and the average MCAT is a 508.

May I take prerequisites at a community college or online?

While four year on campus coursework is preferred, the MBS program will consider applicants who have taken prerequisite courses at community colleges or online. We encourage you to discuss the reasons for your educational pathway on your application. Whenever possible, a student should choose the most rigorous possible academic preparation.

Am I a competitive applicant for this program?

It’s difficult to gauge the competitiveness of any given applicant, as there is so much that is taken into account when we review applications. We recommend that you review information on our averages, what we are looking for, etc., to best get a sense of where you stand in our applicant pool.

When do students apply to medical school?

Typically, students will apply to medical school the summer after they have completed the MBS coursework.

Is the thesis required?

Yes, all students are required to do either a literature or lab-based thesis. For students who enroll in the dual MBS-MPH degree, the capstone MPH project will fulfill the MBS thesis requirement.

Do we take classes with the medical school students?

No, you will be taking the same coursework, but you will only be in class with other MBS students.

Do I need to retake these classes in the first year of medical school?

It depends on the medical school you attend, but at Tufts School of Medicine you would be required to retake these courses.

I think I have already taken some of these classes in undergrad, can I get an exemption?

Though some of the MBS classes may have similar titles to undergraduate coursework you have done, keep in mind these are graduate level courses that are the same as the first year of medical school. All students must take all courses in the MBS program; there are no exemptions or transfer courses accepted.

Do I have to do the MCAT/DAT prep?

No, the MCAT/DAT prep is optional and is offered to students in the spring and summer semesters.

Can I work while I am in the MBS program?

The MBS program is only offered full-time and has a very rigorous schedule. So, we strongly recommend that you don't work in the first two semesters. Students do typically work during the second year of the program while completing their thesis. Our Career Services office helps students craft resumes, find jobs, and prepare for interviews.

How many students are in the MBS program?

We have approximately 120 students in the MBS program each Fall.

I know you are on a rolling admissions basis, when should I apply?

We recommend submitting your application as soon as possible; even if, for example, you still have to take your MCAT, GRE or DAT.

Is this program helpful for pre-dental students?

Yes, the Tufts MBS-DMD Pathway is designed to help students achieve their goal of attending dental school. A growing number of pre-dental students complete the MBS program with high admissions rate into dental school following completion of the program.

I am not interested in medical or dental school; would this program be a good fit for me?

This program is specifically designed to help students gain admission into medical or dental school. If that is not your goal, this program may not be the best fit for you.

Is this the same biomedical master's as the one offered by Tufts' Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS)?

No. Our MBS program is not the same as the Master's in Biomedical Research (MBR) Program offered by the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS). The GSBS MBR program provides students with significant research experience and fundamental biomedical science knowledge that will prepare them for a career in academia or the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry or for further study at the PhD level. Information about the MBR can be found at on the GSBS website. 

I started an application but I don’t see MBS under “Program Choice”. What should I do?

You have most likely started an application for the wrong department within Tufts. The MBS program is in the under the School of Medicine. You can find the MBS application here.

Can I submit my application before all my materials have been received?

Yes, you can submit your application before your MCAT score, transcript, recommendations, etc., have been received. However, we won’t begin our review process until all of these materials have been received.

Will I get an email when my application is complete?

Yes, you will get an email when your application is complete.

How do I send my test score?

• MCAT - In the ‘Test Scores’ section of the application, there will be a space to provide us with your AAMC ID, Verification Code and Score Report PDF. We will then verify this information with AAMC to get your official score.
• DAT - When requesting scores on www.ada.org, enter “Tufts University Graduate Programs” in the alternate school text box enter our mailing information.
• GRE - Use CEEB code 3889 - Tufts School of Medicine. Please note that Tufts has many different reporting codes, and if scores are sent to the wrong code we will not be able to retrieve them. DO NOT use codes 0438, 6997, or 3891 which are codes used for other Tufts programs.

How do I send my letters of recommendation?

There will be further instructions in the application about how to have your recommendations sent. It varies depending on what type of recommendation you are sending (three individual letters, a letter packet/committee letter, or Interfolio Letters).

How do I send my transcripts?

The fastest way to send us your transcripts, and our preferred method, is for you to upload an unofficial transcript directly through the application. You can have official transcripts emailed to mbs.admissions@tufts.edu or paper copies can be mailed to our office (address provided under Additional Materials tab).

Do I have to send official transcripts?

No, we accept unofficial transcripts for the review of your application. We do require official transcripts from all colleges attended prior to matriculation.

Will you start reviewing my application before it is complete?

No, applications are not reviewed until all materials have been received and your application is complete.

Can I use my personal statement from medical/dental school applications?

We recommend that you write a personal statement specific to the MBS program following our prompt.

How long should the personal statement be?

Your personal statement should be 5,300 characters or less.

Can I use my recommendations from medical or dental school?

Yes, we are happy to accept letters of recommendation written for medical/dental school.

Can I transfer my materials from Tufts Medical/Dental to my MBS Application?

Students who are in the Tufts MBS-DMD Pathway can transfer their materials from the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine DMD program application after expressing their consent. Unfortunately, we are not able to access any materials on file with the Tufts University School of Medicine MD program—you will need to send your materials directly to our office.

Do I need to send transcripts from study abroad/summer courses/community colleges?

Yes, we need to see transcripts from every institution you have attended.

In my status portal, one of my materials has a red X next to it and says “Awaiting”. What does that mean? Will that get updated if the material has been received?

A red X means that materials has not been received and your application is not complete. The status will be updated when it has been received.

How long until I can expect a decision?

On average, students can expect a decision 4 weeks from when their application was completed (not from when it was submitted).

Can I check my application status?

Once your application is complete, the next update you will receive is when a decision is rendered. If you have not heard anything since your application was completed, you can assume that your application is being reviewed by the Admissions Committee.

How will I know when a decision is ready?

You will receive an email from our office to notify you when a decision has been posted to your status portal.

How many seats are still left in the program?

We are not able to disclose how many seats are left in the program at a given time, though it is not a capped program. We will update our website if the class has been filled.

Can I start my Financial Aid application now?

Yes, we encourage students to start the Financial Aid process as soon as possible. You do not need to wait to receive an admissions decision to apply for Financial Aid. View more information on Financial Aid.

When I get a decision how long do I have to reply to your offer?

You will have three weeks to reply to an admissions decision. If you apply late in the cycle, you may have less time to reply and therefore will need to be prepared for a short window to decide.

I have updated test scores/transcripts, can I send them to you now?

Yes, we would be happy to include updated materials. You can email them to mbs.admissions@tufts.edu and we will take care of uploading them to your application. Please note, if your application is already under review, we cannot guarantee that the Admissions Committee will be able to take new materials into consideration.

I talked to other applicants to the program and their applications were complete after mine, and they got their decision before me. Why is that?

We do begin the review process in the order in which applications were marked complete. However, there are many factors that determine how long a file will take to be reviewed, and the review time can vary.

Why did I not gain admission?

The MBS Admissions Team is happy to provide brief, written feedback at the end of the cycle to applicants who submitted a complete application, including how to strengthen a future MBS application. To request feedback, please email mbs.admissions@tufts.edu on or around August 15.

Can you reconsider my application this cycle?

We are unable to reconsider your application in the same cycle. If you’re still interested in the MBS program, we encourage you to apply in our next application cycle. Please note you would need to re-submit the application and all required documents for the subsequent cycle.