How to Apply to Physics at Tufts University: Apply to the School of Arts and Sciences, Declare a Major by the Spring of Sophomore Year, Five BS Programs from Physics and Astrophysics to Applied, Chemical and Engineering Physics, for Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Applicants

At Tufts University, in Medford and Somerville, Massachusetts, undergraduate physics is taught by the Department of Physics and Astronomy in the School of Arts and Sciences. You apply to a school and declare a major after you arrive. This guide summarises the department’s, the admissions office’s and student services’ published information for fall 2027 entry for U.S. applicants, international applicants and applicants from China, followed by transfer students. Mathematics, chemistry, computer science and other majors are not covered, except where they meet physics in a joint program.

1. Degrees and programs

The department’s undergraduate page lists five Bachelor of Science (BS) programs; it does not list a BA:

• BS in Physics: described as a general and flexible exploration of physics. 10 courses: PHY 13 (Introduction to Modern Physics) and PHY 64 (Advanced Experimental Physics); one more advanced laboratory course (which may be PHY 31 Optics or PHY 41 Electronics); five physics electives above PHY 12; and two mathematics courses above MATH 42/44. Up to two of the lab and elective courses may be approved courses in related fields, and one math course may be a related-field course.
• BS in Astrophysics: 10 courses: PHY 13 and either PHY 64 or PHY 31 (Optics); four astronomy courses above AST 10; two physics electives above PHY 12; and two mathematics courses above MATH 42/44.
• BS in Applied Physics: 10 courses: PHY 13 and PHY 64; three physics electives; two mathematics courses; and three courses with the SOE-Engineering attribute that could count toward the major of an engineering degree, chosen with your advisor.
• BS in Chemical Physics: offered jointly by the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Foundation courses in chemistry (CHEM 1, 11 or 16, then CHEM 2 or 12) and physics (PHY 1 or 11, then PHY 2 or 12), followed by 10 concentration courses: four chemistry, four physics and two mathematics, which must include PHY 13, organic chemistry I or inorganic chemistry, advanced laboratory training, thermodynamics (PHY 52 or CHEM 31) and quantum mechanics (PHY 61 or CHEM 32).
• BS in Engineering Physics: an interdisciplinary program offered jointly by the School of Engineering and the department. Foundation courses include PHY 13, 32 (Intermediate Mechanics), 52 (Thermal Physics) and 41 (Electronics), then 12 concentration courses including PHY 64, three more intermediate or advanced physics or astronomy courses, four courses from one engineering department’s concentration and four approved electives in computer science, engineering, mathematics or science. The student services engineering degree-sheet page lists it (BSEP) among the School of Engineering’s 16 BS programs.
• Minors and fifth-year master’s: minors in Physics, Astrophysics and Applied Computational Science, and fifth-year BS/MS programs in Physics and in Astrophysics (see section 2).

Rules common to the physics majors: PHY 11 and 12 (or equivalent) are prerequisites; courses applied to the major need a GPA of at least 2.0 and no more than one may be below C-; no major course may be taken Pass/Fail. The department says the requirements are designed for maximum flexibility and you work out the curriculum with your advisor.

2. Admission and declaring a major

• Choose a school, not a major: admissions says applicants choose the School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Engineering or the School of the Museum of Fine Arts (SMFA) at Tufts and are considered only by the school they apply to; enrolled students can take classes across all three. The application FAQ says you are not asked to commit to a field of study. The Physics, Astrophysics, Applied Physics and Chemical Physics BS programs belong to Arts and Sciences, so apply to Arts and Sciences. Engineering Physics is run jointly with the School of Engineering; the pages we read do not say which school to apply to for it, so ask admissions (undergraduate.admissions@tufts.edu).
• When to declare: the application FAQ says all Arts and Sciences students have until the spring of sophomore year to declare; School of Engineering students until the spring of the first year. The Arts and Sciences page words it a little differently: students explore broadly and “by the end of sophomore year” focus their studies and declare one or more majors or minors, and about a third double major and nearly half declare a minor. Ask admissions or your advising dean which wording governs.
• Conditions and caps: the department’s BS pages give grade rules for courses in the major (above), but the pages we read do not say whether declaring physics has a cap or a grade threshold; not published, so ask the department or your advisor.
• Changing schools: after you apply, email undergraduate.admissions@tufts.edu as early as possible to ask to be considered for a different school; Tufts will confirm whether it can approve.
• Fifth-year BS/MS in Physics: the department offers exceptional physics and astronomy majors a five-year path to both degrees. Students must finish the BS in Physics, Applied Physics, Chemical Physics or Engineering Physics plus 28 graduate credits (eight three-credit courses and two two-credit seminars), including classical mechanics, classical electromagnetic theory I and II and quantum theory I and II; up to two graduate-level courses can count toward both degrees. Applications are normally made in junior year; the deadline is December 15 for seniors and March 15 for juniors.

3. Preparation and placement

• High school courses: neither the admissions pages nor the department pages we read list required high school subjects for physics; not published, so ask admissions or the department.
• Starting point on arrival: the department says PHY 11 and 12 are prerequisites for the major. Its transfer-credit page says PHY 1 and 2 are algebra-based with no calculus required, while PHY 11 and 12 are calculus-based. The pages do not say whether PHY 1 and 2 satisfy the major’s prerequisite, or what mathematics level you should start at (the major asks for two math courses above MATH 42/44); ask the department.
• AP / IB physics and calculus: the two official sources are not identical, so both are given:
  • Department AP and transfer credit page: a score of 5 on AP Physics 1 or Physics 2 earns 1.0 credit for PHY 1 or PHY 2; a 5 on AP Physics C: Mechanics earns credit for PHY 11; a 5 on AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism earns credit for PHY 12. It adds that School of Engineering students receive no credit for AP Physics 1 or 2, and that the Tufts Bulletin is authoritative.
  • Admissions pre-matriculation credits page (Arts and Sciences): AP Physics 1 with a 4 or 5 earns 5 credits (PHY 1); AP Physics 2 with a 5 earns 5 (PHY 2); AP Physics C: Mechanics with a 4 or 5 earns 5 (PHY 11); AP Physics C: E&M with a 5 earns 5 (PHY 12). IB Higher Level Physics: 7 earns PHY 2 and 6 earns PHY 1 (5 credits each). A-Level Physics: A earns PHY 2 and B earns PHY 1, for Arts and Sciences students only.
  • Calculus (admissions page, Arts and Sciences): AP Calculus AB 4 or 5 earns MATH 32 (4 credits); BC 5 earns MATH 32 and 34 (8 credits) and BC 4 earns MATH 32; IB Mathematics HL 7 earns MATH 32 and 34 and 6 earns MATH 32; A-Level Mathematics A earns MATH 34 and B earns MATH 32. The School of Engineering’s rules differ slightly and are not covered here.
  • Arts and Sciences students may use up to five pre-matriculation credit courses; some scores give placement or exemption without credit.
• Honors entry sequence: the department pages we read do not describe an honors entry sequence; see the senior honors thesis in section 8.
• Physics competitions: the admissions pages we read do not say how USAPhO or other physics competitions are viewed; not published.

4. Deadlines and materials (fall 2027 first-year entry)

• Early Decision I (binding): 2 November 2026; decisions in mid-December.
• Early Decision II (binding): 4 January 2027; decisions in early February.
• Regular Decision: 4 January 2027; decisions by 1 April. Tufts lists three rounds: ED I, ED II and RD.
• Materials deadlines: Secondary School Report and recommendations 20 November (ED I), 11 January (ED II), 17 January (RD); first-quarter or trimester grades 20 November and 11 January (not required for RD); mid-year grades 15 February in all rounds.
• How to apply and what to send: Common App, Coalition App (Scoir) or QuestBridge, with no preference among them. Send the official high school transcript, senior-year grades, a counselor recommendation, one teacher recommendation from a core academic teacher (English, mathematics, natural or physical science, history or social science, or world language; Tufts does not require a science teacher) and English proficiency scores where required.
• Short answers: two. The first asks how you have learned about and engaged with Tufts (75-150 words). For Arts and Sciences applicants the second (100-200 words) asks: tell us about one of your favorite school assignments in the past two years; what was it and why did you enjoy it?
• Application fee: $75, or a fee waiver; applicants receive an automatic waiver based on their answers in the application or may choose from Tufts-specific criteria.
• Testing: optional for all undergraduate applicants; Tufts says it is test-optional “really” and will not assume a missing score is below its range. It encourages scores of 1300+ SAT or 28+ ACT; admitted first-years who submitted scores in the latest cycle ranged from 1240 to 1600 on the SAT and 26 to 36 on the ACT composite. Self-reported scores are accepted, with official scores required after enrollment; you choose before submitting whether scores are considered and cannot change it afterwards.

5. U.S. applicants

• Cost: Tufts is private and the cost page lists one undergraduate tuition, with no in-state rate. The 2026-27 amounts paid to the school (US dollars): tuition 74,862; housing 11,220 (first-years and entering transfers); food 9,374; mandatory health and wellness and activity fees 1,696; total for first-years 97,152. Books are estimated at 1,000 and personal expenses at 1,846, and transportation varies. The 2027-28 figures are not published.
• Aid: Tufts says it meets 100% of the demonstrated need of admitted students. Beginning with the fall 2026 entering class, U.S. undergraduates attend tuition-free if annual family income is under $150,000 with typical assets (the Tufts Tuition Pact). The cost page says 44% of students receive aid, with grants averaging $58,700. U.S. citizens and permanent residents submit the FAFSA (code 002219) and CSS Profile (3901): Nov 16 for ED I, Jan 15 for ED II, Feb 1 for RD, with tax forms through IDOC due Dec 1, Feb 1 and Feb 15; QuestBridge match applicants Nov 1. If you do not apply for aid when you apply, you are not eligible for institutional aid in later years.
• Scholarships: the international aid page says the university offers no merit-based scholarships to undergraduates.
• In-state preference or guarantee: not described; not published.

6. International applicants

• Review: international students submit the same credentials as other first-year applicants; the emphasis is on evaluating candidates within their national academic system, and the office is familiar with GCSE and A-levels, the French Baccalaureate, the IB, the Abitur and others. If you submit SAT or ACT scores they are read in the context of your international background.
• English: required if English is not your primary language, unless you have been enrolled in an English-language secondary school for at least three years (in which case it is optional). Tufts accepts TOEFL, IELTS, PTE and Duolingo. There are no minimums, but successful applicants generally have at least TOEFL iBT 5.0 (exams on or after 21 January 2026) or 100 (before that), IELTS 7, PTE Academic 68 and Duolingo 130. TOEFL ITP Plus and IELTS Indicator do not count. Self-reported scores are accepted; superscoring, including TOEFL MyBest, is not.
• Credential evaluation and proof of funds: the pages we read say nothing about credential-evaluation services or proof-of-funds documents; not published, so ask admissions.
• Aid: Tufts meets 100% of demonstrated need regardless of citizenship, but international students must request aid on the admission application; asking after you are admitted is too late. You may submit the free International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA) or the CSS Profile (Tufts offers no fee waiver for the Profile, so use the ISFAA if the fee is a barrier). Admitted international aid applicants must submit the CSS Profile within 5-7 days of the decision and receive a fee-waiver code. The application fee is waived for international citizens seeking need-based aid. Graduates of United World Colleges can receive a need-based Davis United World College Scholars grant of up to $10,000 a year.

7. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: the admissions pages we read do not mention the Gaokao or give China-specific guidance; not published, so contact admissions (undergraduate.admissions@tufts.edu).
• Transcripts and exam records: Tufts states only the general principle of evaluating applicants within their own national system; there are no China-specific document requirements on the pages we read.
• International curricula: students taking IB, A-Level or AP can use the physics and calculus credit rules in section 3.
• English and testing: see sections 4 and 6.

8. Research, honors and outcomes

• Department: its home page says it has 20 faculty, about 50 graduate students and around 100 undergraduates, with five research programs: astronomy and astrophysics, condensed matter, cosmology and relativity, high energy physics and physics education research.
• Undergraduate research: the student research page says students can do research in the fall, spring and summer; some research is paid, can count for degree credit and can lead to a thesis, and it can also be ad hoc with a faculty member. Pathways listed include Tufts Summer Scholars (funded, on campus), the Senior Honors Thesis, IRLI Summer Scholars (physics education research counts), NSF REUs, NASA programs and Summer at Simons. The page notes you should check nationality eligibility for external programs. Faculty list whether they take undergraduates each term and what experience they want; some accept any level, others ask for juniors and above or for PHY 13 or quantum mechanics.
• Senior honors thesis: a year-long project (8 credits over two consecutive semesters) that must be approved in advance and registered through the department, supervised by a two-professor committee whose chair is full-time Physics and Astronomy faculty, ending with a defense and archived in Tufts Digital Collections and Archives.
• Department prizes: the awards page lists undergraduate prizes such as the N. Hobbs Knight Prize Scholarship in Physics (two upper-class physics majors), the Howard Sample Prize Scholarship in Physics (outstanding performance in PHY 11 and 12) and the Amos Emerson Dolbear Scholarship. These honor enrolled students; whether any is open to applicants is not published.
• Outcomes: the department’s page says: “Our majors are regularly accepted to many of the top graduate programs in the country, as well as to top medical schools, and find work in a wide range of fields.” It gives no placement statistics.

9. Transfer

• Who is a transfer student: anyone who has matriculated at another college or university, in good academic and disciplinary standing at an accredited two- or four-year institution. Tufts recommends at least one year of college by enrollment, and discourages applicants who already have more than two years of full-time credit because a Tufts degree requires at least two years in residence. Fall entry only; no spring or January entry.
• Deadline: 15 March 2027; review in April-May and decisions by mid-May. Apply through the Common Application for Transfer with the Tufts short answers. Materials: college reports, one academic evaluation from a college instructor or advisor, all secondary school transcripts, official college transcripts, brief descriptions of your courses, the $75 fee or a waiver, a mid-term report uploaded between 15 March and 5 April, and English scores where required. Testing is optional.
• Physics-specific: the admissions pages say only that successful School of Engineering applicants must meet a designated level of coursework; they list no program-specific coursework threshold for Arts and Sciences, and the department has no separate transfer-entry page. The department’s transfer-credit rules: to receive credit for PHY 1 or 2, show the course has a lab; for PHY 11 or 12, show that calculus is a prerequisite or corequisite and that the course has a lab; upper-level physics courses must match Tufts course content and count toward a physics major at your school; astronomy courses are requested separately. For Engineering Physics, which runs through the School of Engineering, we did not re-read the engineering transfer coursework page; see Tufts admissions.
• Credit: departments authorize transfer credit; Advising Deans give a credit estimate at admission. Only courses with a grade of C- or higher can transfer, Tufts does not transfer course for course automatically, and at most 60 credits transfer. Both the Arts and Sciences and Engineering degrees need 120 credits.
• Aid: transfer FAFSA and CSS Profile are due April 1 and tax forms through IDOC April 15. The pages we read do not describe aid for international transfer students separately.

Checklist

U.S. applicants:

• ED I by 2 November, or ED II or RD by 4 January; choose the School of Arts and Sciences; testing optional
• Say you are applying for aid on the application and file the FAFSA and CSS Profile by round; check the Tuition Pact if family income is under $150,000

International applicants (including China):

• Typical English levels: TOEFL 5.0 (100 on the old scale), IELTS 7, PTE 68, Duolingo 130; ask admissions how the Gaokao is used
• If you need aid, request it on the application; the ISFAA is a free first step, then the CSS Profile after admission

After enrolling:

• Confirm your PHY 11/12 and calculus starting point from AP/IB results; declare by the spring of sophomore year; look at the fifth-year BS/MS if graduate study interests you

Transfer students:

• Apply by 15 March 2027 for fall entry; only C- or better transfers, up to 60 credits; PHY 11/12 transfer needs evidence of calculus and a lab

Sources: Tufts University, Physics and Astronomy: undergraduate programs; BS in Physics; BS in Astrophysics; BS in Applied Physics; BS in Chemical Physics; BS in Engineering Physics; Fifth-year BS/MS in Physics; Department: AP and transfer credit; Senior honors thesis; Student research opportunities; Awards and honors; Engineering degree sheets; Admissions: School of Arts and Sciences; Admissions: applying; Checklist and deadlines; Short answer questions; SAT and ACT; Application FAQ; International applicants; Pre-matriculation credits; Applying for aid; International student aid; Transfer applicants; Transfer of credit; 2026-27 cost of attendance. The admissions pages give dates such as 2 November 2026 and 4 January 2027, and costs are 2026-27 figures; the department pages are the current versions. See Tufts’ website for the latest.