• Access Tufts’ renowned art school faculty
• Engage in a unique interdisciplinary approach to graphic design; combining liberal arts disciplines (psychology, writing, communications) with art and design
• Learn valuable résumé-building skills that can be applied to many areas of interest
• Get creative while strengthening communication and writing skills
• Explore real-world tools and techniques and meet professionals in the field
• Get a taste of an online college course and make lifelong friends from around the world

• Strong understanding of the creative process as it relates to creating digital art
• Knowledge of tools and functions of Adobe Creative Cloud software
• Understanding of graphic design as a career path; its usages in every industry
• 1-2 completed pieces of work

Program Schedule

Orientation

Our program begins with a virtual orientation on the first morning  of the program. During this required orientation, we will review policies, answer questions, and kick off the program! Staff will be available to address any issues. 

Program Format

During this week-long bootcamp, students will receive a crash course in the design experience, delving into the creative process and learning about real world application of graphic design. The program will culminate with  final design projects, which will be showcased at the program's closing event. 

Closing Ceremony

On the last day of the program, students will participate in a virtual closing ceremony attended by family, friends, faculty and other members of the Tufts’ community. Parents and/or guardians will be invited to attend! 

Please note: the below is a sample schedule based on information at this time, considering an individual student attending the program scheduling independent work / recorded sessions in particular time slots. The schedule is subject to change as we continue to evolve the program and speaker list to be as meaningful as possible for our students and will look different for students choosing to attend live or independent work / recorded sessions differently. All times are in EASTERN TIME. Because this is a virtual program, meals will not be provided for students even if a meal is stated on the schedule - this is for demonstration only. Activities may occur during meal times. 

Across Programs

Virtual students will have an opportunity to participate in a variety of virtual social engagements with students from other programs. Students will have an opportunity to sign up for these events one week prior to the event start.

Program-Specific

Most programs will offer independent study time for students in a shared (and monitored) virtual "Common Rooms" "Studio Spaces" or "Study Rooms" that will allow students to work in the company of their peers, sharing questions and chatting.

Many programs are also planning their own program-specific activities, often thematically relevant to the program content itself. Look out for these activities in the program description above and in the information provided after you enroll!

COVID-19

To ensure the safety of our Pre-College students, we are closely monitoring the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis, and following local, state, and federal guidance as it pertains to our Pre-College programming.

Please see University College's COVID-19 page for specific information regarding Pre-College COVID-19 policies and procedures.

Tufts University is not only a leading institution of higher education and academic research, but it is leading the nation in terms of higher education's response to our public health crisis.

For more information about Tufts' response and action planning regarding COVID-19: Please visit Tufts University's COVID-19 information.

Students are required to attend all elements of the program schedule and any expected absences must be communicated to program staff in advance. Tufts takes the safety of its students very seriously, even in the virtual environment. Students who enroll will receive more information about our virtual and in-person safety protocols.

Tufts makes reasonable efforts to secure background checks and to provide Title IX training to every staff person responsible for students in its Pre-College Programs.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the unique nature of each of our Pre-College Programs, virtual opportunities for our programs will vary and this program has not yet defined its specific Virtual opportunities. We have outlined below what a sample version of the Virtual experience would be like. Please check back for updates regarding the details of your Pre-College Program's Virtual options.

Technical Needs

Students will need access to the following in order to participate in this program:

• Computer: either a Mac or PC with the following
  • Mac - running at least OS 10.6 (Snow Leopard) 
  • PC - running Windows 7/8/10. Users on Windows 10 will have to download the Windows 10 Anniversary Update.
• Smart Phone: any phone capable of accessing social media platforms like Instagram
• Internet Access: A reliable, high-speed (cable or broadband) internet connection is required. Students are expected to log into Zoom and Canvas and to check email daily, and will need regular and reliable access to the internet.
  • If you do not have reliable access to internet, programs may have internet hotspots available for students with demonstrated financial need. While this cannot be guaranteed, and supplies may be limited, please check with your program for availability. 
• Web Camera: either integrated into your computer or external, set-up and working
• Web Browser: one of the following browsers updated for the latest updates: 
  • Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Edge, and Safari.
• Software*: programs capable of
  • ​Reading and creating word documents, spreadsheets, or powerpoint files (e.g., Microsoft Office, Open Office, or Google Docs)
  • Reading PDFs (e.g., Adobe Acrobat Reader)

              *software may vary by program

We will provide you will access to other software that is required for your program for the duration of your program. As long as you have technology that meets the above requirements, you should have no trouble accessing the software. Depending on the program, this software may include Zoom and Canvas.

Trial Run: Getting Connected

Most programs will send software in advance with instructions to complete a trial-run before the program begins. We will also use orientation time to ensure everyone is connected and comfortable! 

Getting Help/Support

First, please try contacting the Pre-College staff at 617-627-2926.

If they cannot answer your question, they will pass you along to our technical support team who is available 24x7 to students who are actively enrolled in a program.

If you live on the West Coast or internationally, you may be wondering how you will be able to participate in a program that has both in-person and virtual options. Please know that Tufts sees a diversity of geographical perspectives as not just beneficial but essential to a twenty-first century education. We have been working hard with our staff to ensure all students who are offered a spot in our programs will be able to attend - whether in live, streamed, or recorded sessions. We will be updating this section with program-specific accommodations as we seek improved ways to suit our students' needs and have a better sense of the geographic distribution of our students. 

*Applications submitted after the payment deadline will require payment in full on admission to hold their seat.

Program Eligibility

General Requirements

• Entering high school grades 10-12 *or* a Spring 2023 high school graduate

International Students

Both domestic and international students are welcome to apply to and attend our pre-college programs.

Non-Native English Speakers

If you indicate that English is not your primary language, you will be asked to submit evidence of English Language proficiency. Please see our "How to Apply" page for details.

Application Requirements

Step 1: Complete an Online Application

The online application will ask you for the following information:

• Basic personal information, including parents/guardians and emergency contact (if you are under 18, we will contact a parent for permission to enroll)
• List of any relevant classes taken (none necessary)
• Test scores - optional, unless you must submit scores as evidence of English proficiency
• Optional: Design or writing portfolio, e.g. images or samples of past work (photography, newspaper article, art project, poster, sign)
• Warrants and signatures

If you need to log back into this application after starting, click here: return to my application.

Step 2: Upload Your High School Transcript

During your application process, you will be asked to provide us with contact information for an official from your high school. They will receive an email with further instructions to upload your transcript.

Step 3: Parental Consent

As a part of your application, you will be asked to provide contact information for a parent/guardian. Once you submit your application, our systems will automatically email the parent/guardian you listed in the application with instructions for how to fill out the online permission form.

Please note your application will not be considered submitted and review of your application will not begin until the materials from Step 2 and Step 3 have been received by Tufts Pre-College Programs.

Pre-College Admissions Decision

Once an applicant has submitted an application and all required admissions documents are received, the applicant will be considered for admission by the Tufts Pre-College Programs review committee for the specific program(s) to which they applied.

Decisions are made on a rolling basis and students will typically receive an official email informing them of their admissions status within 10 business days of Tufts receiving all required materials.

If you do not receive your email within two weeks of all materials being submitted, please contact us at precollege@tufts.edu or 617-627-2926.

Disclaimer: This program is not related to Tufts University Undergraduate Admissions. Participation in this program does not result in admission to a Tufts University degree program. Tufts reserves the right to admit as requested, to deny admission, or to offer provisional admission. The program will not provide feedback to applicants if admission is denied.

Post-Enrollment Materials

Admitted students must do the following prior to the start of the program:

• A $550 deposit must be received within 10 days of admission until the payment deadline of May 15th or until the program fills, at which time enrollment is secured only by full tuition payment
• Complete all enrollment forms and/or follow-up requests prior to the stated deadline

Should the above not be completed prior to the stated deadlines, the student will be automatically withdrawn from the program.

Key Financial Policies

Refund Policies

Billing & Payment Policies

All Policies

Program Fees - Summer 2023

Virtual: $2,000

Non-Refundable Program Deposit: $550, applied to the Program Fee

• A pre-payment on program fees is required to reserve space in the program
• This deposit will be applied toward program fees and is not an additional fee
• The balance of payment for program fees is due upon notification of charges, and no later than May 15
• This deposit is non-refundable in the event of withdrawal from the program

Availability of Awards

Tufts Pre-College Programs are committed to aiding students from all backgrounds. Although we have only limited need-based financial aid available, we do our best to distribute the funds to students for whom it can make the greatest difference in their ability to attend.

Financial Aid awards are made on a rolling basis to students with demonstrated need. We aim to provide enough aid to eligible students that they are able to successfully enroll and participate in the program. Seasonal aid awards are as follows:

• Fall: we currently do not offer aid for the Fall term
• Spring: we currently do not offer aid for the Spring term
• Summer: we will typically distribute awards monthly beginning in February and will continue until the enrollment deadline or until aid is fully distributed

If financial assistance is essential to your ability to attend the program, we recommend that you wait to pay the $550 non-refundable deposit until you have received your financial aid decision. Award decisions will be issued twice per month.

Students with undocumented status are considered for financial like any other U.S. citizen or permanent resident. If you are undocumented or have DACA status and want more information about how to apply for financial aid, please call our office at 617-627-2926.

Please note:

• International students are not eligible for financial aid at this time. Families should expect to contribute to the remaining portion of the program cost as well as other expenses like travel, books, etc. 
• We currently do not offer aid for students participating in our Leadership for Social Change Intensive

Process

1. Complete the Admissions Application for the pre-college program you would like to attend.
2. During the application process, you will be asked to indicate whether you are interested in being considered for financial aid.
3. After submission, you will have the option of completing a financial aid application in your student portal
4. We will review your financial aid application. Your financial aid application will be considered for the next monthly aid award(s). Award decisions will be issued twice per month.
5. If you receive an award,
   1. You will be notified by email of the amount of the award
   2. You will have 10 days (including weekends and holidays) to accept the award by completing your Financial Aid Award Form and submitting your deposit. If you have received a full financial aid scholarship you are not required to pay your deposit, as it is covered by your scholarship. 
   3. Tufts Pre-College Programs will then credit your student account with the amount of financial aid you received
   4. Please note: Your enrollment in the program is still contingent on payment of any remaining balance after the award is applied to your account, and on receiving your enrollment forms
6. If you do not receive an award you will be notified via email

Please see the policies section of this website for a complete list of applicable policies.