School of Arts and Sciences
Post-baccalaureate Premedical Program
Post-baccalaureate Premedical Program

Admissions

The Post-baccalaureate Premedical Program is highly selective. We aim to keep our program small and admit students who we believe will succeed here. We consider all aspects of a student's candidacy and typically admit about a quarter to a third of our applicant pool.

Applications to this program are processed by the Office of Graduate Admissions for the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. If you have any questions about the application process, please get in touch with gradadmissions@tufts.edu. 

Our application opens in August every year, and we have a deadline of January 15th. Our applications will be reviewed close to the deadline and will have decisions to students by February 15th. If necessary, we may have an additional deadline of April 15th. However, we encourage students to apply by the first deadline.  

All students start the program in the Fall (late August/early September). View the Program of Study common timelines for completion of the program based on your start date.

It is essential that your application includes the most up-to-date information about you. Details such as time spent working or volunteering in a healthcare setting, final grades, or other experiences that may impact your essay and career plans should be reflected in your application materials.

Requirements

To be eligible for the Post-baccalaureate Premedical Program, students must have completed their bachelor's degree from an accredited US college or university and taken three or fewer prerequisite courses. After completion, students apply to medical school or other programs in the health professions. All required materials must be received before your application may be reviewed.

Eligible applicants will typically have taken few (or no) science courses during their Bachelor’s degree program. Students who have completed more than three of the science courses available in the Post-baccalaureate Premedical Program curriculum may wish to consider the Tufts Master’s in Biomedical Sciences program and/or consult with an admissions counselor. The program is designed for students with strong academic backgrounds, and a minimum GPA of 3.3 is required for admission to this program.

Application

To apply for Fall entry, please submit an online application for admission on the Graduate Admissions Website with the following:

  • Personal statement outlining your experiences and motivation for your chosen health profession.
  • Unofficial transcript(s) from each college and graduate school attended or currently attending (high school transcripts are not required). Official transcripts will be due upon matriculation.
  • Two letters of recommendation. At least one letter should be an academic recommendation. If you graduated so long ago that you do not have an academic reference, please use a recent professional reference. This should be someone who may speak to your future success in your chosen field.
  • Résumé or CV. This should be current, customized to your Post-bacc Premed application, and include your clinical and/or volunteer experiences in the field.
  • Unofficial SAT, ACT, or GRE test score reports are encouraged but not required.* Scores do not need to be recent.
    • If requesting official scores, please use the following institution codes: 7758 (SAT) // 3901 (GRE) // 9076 (ACT)
    • Do not use the general Tufts University code when ordering your SAT or ACT reports.
  • A non-refundable application fee of $85.

*SAT, ACT, or GRE scores are strongly encouraged, if the tests were taken and are still available from the testing service. If none of these scores are available (or none of these tests were taken), then applicants will be required to write a brief essay in which they will explain why none of the tests were taken and how one's educational background will contribute to one's success in completing the program's science coursework.

**If you have taken the MCAT or DAT, you have taken too many prerequisite courses and are not eligible for our program. Our post-bacc program is designed for students who are exploring prehealth coursework for the first time. If you have completed your prereqs or are looking to enhance your GPA, we recommend that you explore the Master's in Biomedical Sciences at Tufts School of Medicine.

Please note that we are currently not accepting documents by mail. All documentation must be uploaded and submitted electronically. 

Please note that all supporting materials and documentation including transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal statements and resumés must be received by the deadline in order for an application to be reviewed and considered. Incomplete application packets will be administratively withdrawn. 

Once an individual submits a completed application, they receive access to an online status page to review its progress.

Applications are reviewed by the Admissions Committee after the application deadline. Applicants will receive an admission decision approximately one month after their admission deadline. 

For additional questions, review our FAQs.

  • The Post-bacc Premed Program thoroughly evaluates each applicant's candidacy, considering both academic prowess and informed motivation as crucial factors for success within our demanding curriculum. We are dedicated to selecting individuals whom we believe possess the capabilities to excel in our program and to achieve their future professional aspirations.

    Academically, competitive applicants typically maintain a minimum undergraduate average of "B+" and score at or above the 80th percentile in standardized tests. Strong letters of recommendation further bolster their application. Successful students in our program have showcased their commitment to a healthcare career through volunteer, clinical, or employment experiences prior to joining us at Tufts. This may be through work as a medical assistant, hospital/clinic volunteer, vet assistant, EMT, PCA, clinical research assistant, or related role. While students in this program possess a diverse set of backgrounds and experiences, they have already demonstrated a commitment to healthcare and are determined to make it a success.

    Our evaluation process involves a comprehensive review of transcripts to assess the breadth and rigor of the academic program. Resumes provide insights into an applicant's diverse experiences, while personal statements offer valuable perspectives on motivations and aspirations. Letters of recommendation contribute significantly by illuminating an applicant's intellectual capabilities, interpersonal qualities, and dedication to their work.

  • Cost

    Tuition for the Post-Baccalaureate Premedical certificate is billed semi-annually and only during the first year of the program. This covers the tuition of the entire program (min. of 8 and up to 10 approved courses), and no tuition is due during a students’ second year of study. For more information on current tuition rates, please visit the Graduate Admissions website.

    Please visit the Student Financial Services website and their page on Cost of Attendance for Graduate School. 

    What's Included?

    The program fee covers a maximum of ten courses including the eight science courses, with their related laboratories, that most health professions graduate programs require. 

    All these courses must be taken for letter grades. Almost all schools require laboratory participation for all of these science courses, except biochemistry. It is assumed, and usually required, that you take the lab concurrently with the lecture.

    Most commonly, these eight courses* include: 

    • 2 semesters of Biology, with lab
    • 2 semesters of Chemistry, with lab
    • 2 semesters of Physics, with lab
    • 1 semester of Organic Chemistry, with lab
    • 1 semester of Biochemistry
    • A student who has completed a required lab science or two prior to matriculating at Tufts may opt to take other courses (up to the ten lab sciences covered by the program fee), in consultation with the program advisor.
    • Advising, tutoring, workshops, speakers, and support from Health Professions Advising in the form of a committee letter are all included in the program tuition fee.

    *To complete the Tufts Post-bacc Premed Program, students must complete a minimum of eight courses in the program.

    Loans

    For purposes of Federal financial aid eligibility, Post-bacc Premed students are considered enrolled in "preparatory coursework to enroll in a graduate program."

    • Dependent students may borrow a total of $7,500 (subsidized and/or unsubsidized) through the Federal Direct Loan Program.
    • Independent students are eligible to borrow a total of $12,500 through the Federal Direct Loan Program.

    Post-bacc Premed students can only receive a Direct Loan for a two-semester period (one year) per Federal regulations. Students must be enrolled at least half-time (2 courses per semester minimum). Post-bacc students and applicants who wish to apply for a Direct Loan should complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Once matriculating into the program, Post-bacc students work with the liaison to the program in the Financial Aid Office. 

  • Tufts University is committed to supporting military veterans and their dependents who are pursuing a career in a health profession. 

    Military service can serve as a distinguishing feature on both graduate health school applications and during interviews for those schools. Like many academic institutions, we are familiar with Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. 

    To underscore its commitment to supporting the academic pursuits of veterans and their dependents, Tufts University also participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Office of Graduate Admissions

We invite you to learn more about this program. Request information and learn more about application deadlines.

Application Information