AS&E Students
Arts and Sciences, Engineering, SMFA at Tufts
TUFTS.EDU
AS&E Students
Arts and Sciences, Engineering, SMFA at Tufts
Division of Student Diversity and Inclusion

BEST Summer Program

The Bridge to Engineering Success at Tufts (BEST) summer program is a six-week, event-filled residential experience, with dates that align with Tufts Summer Second Session.

Summer Program Highlights

  • Covered tuition, housing, meal plan, textbooks, and Jumbo cash
  • Paid travel expenses (if living outside of New England)
  • $1,400 stipend upon summer program completion
  • College credit for MATH 32 (Calculus 1) and Public Speaking (TPS 0058) for a total of 7 credits
  • Participation in weekly engineering workshops that introduces students to many of the available engineering disciplines
  • Attendance at targeted workshops on college life, academic survival skills, and professional development

The BEST summer program not only focuses on academic achievement, but also promotes social growth and networking. Throughout the summer, each new BEST cohort works hard to complete problem sets and lab reports, but they also play hard by exploring their new community through tours, adventures, and community service.

In the past, off-campus excursions have included:

  • A trip to Boda Borg (Escape Room)
  • A day-long visit to the Six Flags New England theme park
  • An interactive scavenger hunt through the Tufts Medford Campus
  • A volunteer opportunity at the Greater Boston Food Bank

As the summer comes to a close, BEST and BLAST, our sister program in the School of Arts & Sciences, come together to paint and guard the cannon, a Tufts tradition since the 1970s. The BEST summer program lays the foundation for BEST scholars to continue on their paths to success throughout the first year academic experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The purpose of the BEST program is threefold: to help incoming engineers transition into college life; to support their academic and social endeavors; and to assist them in successfully graduating with an engineering degree from Tufts. There are many added benefits, including the opportunity to take two college classes for credit over the summer, which puts BEST scholars ahead of the game when the fall semester begins.

  • Absolutely not. The goal of this program is to help students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds adjust to college life while gaining a head start, both academically and socially, on the upcoming fall semester.

  • There are no minimum grade or GPA cutoff for acceptance into the program. Students who are selected for the program could be the first in their families to attend a four-year university, or the first from their high schools to be admitted to Tufts.

  • Yes, there is an application process. Tufts admissions will send out an invitation to apply to the program. You will then have to fill the application form and submit it.

  • The program is free for BEST scholars. The program provides tuition, room and board, travel costs(for students residing outside of New England area), textbooks, and Jumbo cash throughout the summer. Upon completion of the summer program, students will be awarded a $1,400 stipend.

  • Generally, 8-12 students are accepted for each cohort.

  • Yes. Once you receive your acceptance letter, you will get more details about the summer program. You will receive email and more details from Sehba Hasan, Associate Center Director once you are accepted in the program.

  • No. The BEST summer program is a full-time, residential experience with events and classes scheduled from morning until evening throughout the week and during the weekend.

  • Scholars will take Math 32 (Calculus 1) and Public Speaking for college credit during Tufts Second Summer Session.

  • Scholars will live together with other summer students in dorms on Medford Campus.

  • Yes. You can go home and have visitors, but we encourage you to limit visits for the weekend, as you will be busy during the week.

  • During the six weeks, there will be several organized trips, which may include an excursion to the Six Flags New England theme park and a volunteer outing to the Greater Boston Food Bank.

  • We encourage you to keep the luggage you bring to a minimum, as there is no reliable access to storage during the interim period between the end of the summer program and the start of fall orientation.

  • Yes. Transportation will be provided to and from the airport to Tufts University for the summer portion of the program.

  • No. The second summer session goes by quickly, and missing a day of class is similar to missing three days of regular semester classes.

  • No. All students will be required to leave campus at the end of the summer program.

  • Yes. BEST is a program committed to each student during their entire time at Tufts. There will be weekly check-ins and interactions  with students from previous BEST cohorts, as well as BEST study groups and outings. Alumni and current BEST scholars describe BEST as a family.