Hi All!
My name is Alexa Rosenthall and I am going to be a Freshman at Tufts this fall. I am extremely excited – and I’ll admit a bit nervous – to embark on this new adventure. The purpose of me writing this blog is so that all of you prospective Jumbos can learn about the “Tufts Experience” in a fresh, unedited fashion. So, enjoy!
A little info about myself…
I am from Mountain Lakes, New Jersey (Northern Jersey) and went to my public high school. Throughout high school I was very involved in the tennis team and my school’s Key Club. I got TOTALLY fired up about recycling and green initiatives (reusing water bottles, walking, etc.) and hope to find some similar clubs/organizations at Tufts that I can join. Before living in New Jersey, I spent seven years living overseas in England. Living abroad totally messed around with my sense of identity and “home” but it made me very interested in global affairs and traveling – one of the reasons I chose Tufts! While at Tufts I hope to study abroad (the Tufts Oxford program looks amazing) and hopefully get to do some traveling on the side.
I also am a sailor and have spent all of my summers racing competitively on Cape Cod. I’m seriously thinking about joining the Tufts’ sailing team this fall, but we’ll see! Writing for the Tufts Daily is also on the to-do list.
Academics-wise, I’m a big humanities person. I love reading and writing. I have yet to select my course-load this semester but I would like to find a cool englishclass, a political science class, an elementary arabic class, and perhaps an economics class?
Hi Alexa!
My names also Alexa haha. I was looking to see if there were any upcoming open houses on the admissions page and your blog link was there so I found it quite fitting. I realized I missed the deadline for the voices program so I am very disappointed about that. You give a lot of helpful info for perspective students but I was just wondering a few things. How personable and helpful do you find the Professors? I read you said theres a lot of reading but do you find the work load manageable? I know I’m one for procrastinating so I know Im going to need to work on that. And I dont know if your taking any sociology based courses but if you know anything about them would you mind giving me some input? I’m really looking into schools near Boston and Tufts seems like a great place to be. I also plan to apply to Endicott in Beverley but Tufts definitely seems more academically challenging. Thanks so much for taking the time to read this.Good luck to you and your studies!
Thanks-Alexa Evans
Hey Alexa!
I’d never met another Alexa before I came to Tufts but I’ve already met three other Alexas in my 2013 class – so you’ll be in good company!
I’m so glad that you are considering Tufts! It is really a great environment for undergraduates. I don’t know a lot about the voices program but I’ll try to fully answer your questions – and feel free to contact me if you think of more.
I have been extremely surprised by the accessibility of my professors. All of my professors hold “office hours” where once a week I can go ask them questions, review material, or even just chat about the department. Whenever I go to the office hours no other students are there so I end up getting the professors all to myself! A lot of my friends at other universities have been struggling to get individual attention with professors but I have had absolutely no problems seeking out professors if I need to talk to them!
In addition, I have yet to feel intimidated by a professor. While many of the professors are extremely respected locally & nationally within their respective departments, when it comes down to it they are very affable and approachable people. The only criticism I have is that I feel like a lot of the grading is delegated to the TAs (Teaching Assistants) that are usually graduate students helping the professor run the course. Because of this I feel like the grading scale can get a little ambiguous and there is a difference from what the professor might expect and what the TA might expect. But, in general, I have been satisfied with the TAs and they are there to help the undergrads.
It’s hard to say whether the work load is more substantial than high school. I have found that in college it is harder – and you have to become better – at efficiently managing your time. The great part about Tufts is that there is always something to do: a cool lecture, a club meeting, or grabbing dinner with some friends. Although the work is not frighteningly overwhelming, I have had some difficulty budgeting my time. Also, as can be expected, the grading is more demanding than high school. So I guess I’m trying to say that college is very different academically than high school. I have never bemoaned going to a class (yet) because everything the teachers say and the discussions the class have are SO intriguing. But, you are expected to think more critically and it is difficult to slack off and still do well…I am a procrastinator too (as I think a lot of college freshman are) but it is a completely natural part of the college process to develop personal study habits that are cohesive with your needs/schedule.
Unfortunately I don’t know anything about the Tufts sociology department but I would definitely check out their website. I was amazed at the depth of information I could find on the department’s websites. Another good place to research departments is to check out the descriptions for the courses being offered!
Hope this helps!
Hi!
I’m Sarah and I also found your blog on the Tufts site…I applied early and am so so so excited! And weirdly, I’m kind of just like you..tennis, sailing, humanities? That’ssss me (:
I put in my email in the reply box – if there’s a way to like get in touch with you, that’d be great. I guess after falling in love with Tufts I kind of want more info from someone who is literally there (soooo jealous). You noted that it’s different from the tours and the info sessions, and I was kind of interested in asking questions about living there and all that.
xoxo, sarah
Hi Sarah!
Congrats on applying ED!! I didn’t end up applying ED but in hindsight I wish that I had. The hard part is behind you now!!
Yay! That’s awesome that you’re into tennis/sailing/humanities as well. I decided not to join the sailing team because it was quite a considerable commitment but I have heard GREAT things about it so it would definitely be something to look into.
I do really feel like living at Tufts is different from what you find out at the info session/tours. Once you are here you’re not only immersed in the classes you’re taking and the activities you’re involved in but you’re also figuring out how to balance other aspects of life. As a freshman you certainly have much more independence than you were used to and, for me, part of adjusting to college life has been prioritizing and making sensible decisions on when to work, sleep, eat, and have fun. I know this is a super-broad answer so feel free to let me know if you have any other specific questions.
Hope to see you next fall