Did Tufts University defer or reject you in the Early Decision round to its Class of 2030? If so, chin up! As a deferred candidate, you still have a fighting chance of earning admission to the Tufts Class of 2030. And as a rejected candidate, you’ve been dealt a golden opportunity to pivot to a more effective admission strategy. So, what are your chances, and what can you do to optimize your case for admission in Regular Decision? Let’s dive in!

Tufts University Early Decision Admissions Statistics

Below are Tufts’ Early Decision admissions statistics over the last 15 years. Note that for some of these years, including the most recent years, Tufts did not release its Early Decision admissions statistics. So, while you can find such figures online, we at Ivy Coach don’t believe any are accurate since none, in our calculations, stem from Tufts.

Tufts Class Year	Number of Early Decision Applications (Combined ED I and ED II)	Number of Early Decision Acceptances (Combined ED I and ED II)	Early Decision Acceptance Rate (Combined ED I and ED II)
Class of 2030	Not Yet Available	Not Yet Available	Not Yet Available
Class of 2029	Not Released	Not Released	Not Released
Class of 2028	Not Released	Not Released	Not Released
Class of 2027	Not Released	Not Released	Not Released
Class of 2026	Not Released	Not Released	Not Released
Class of 2025	Not Released	Not Released	Not Released
Class of 2024	Not Released	Not Released	Not Released
Class of 2023	Not Released	Not Released	Not Released
Class of 2022	2,262	957	42.31%
Class of 2021	Not Released	Not Released	Not Released
Class of 2020	Not Released	Not Released	Not Released
Class of 2019	1,839	721	39.2%
Class of 2018	1,720	671	39.01%
Class of 2017	1,572	560	35.62%
Class of 2016	1,384	546	39.45%

5 Steps to Take After Being Deferred by Tufts University

1. Go for a walk outside. Clear your head. Before you attack your Tufts deferral, you need to take a moment for yourself.
2. Sign up for a complimentary consultation with Ivy Coach to learn about our post-deferral service.
3. Complete a PostMortem with Ivy Coach, so you can find out what mistakes you made on your Tufts application. While you won’t be able to correct these mistakes for Tufts, you still have time to make these fixes for your other Regular Decision schools.
4. Submit a compelling Letter of Continued Interest to Tufts with Ivy Coach’s assistance — within a few days of your deferral. In a word, Ivy Coach’s letters are weird. It’s a big reason why they’re so often effective. And, no, they contain no brags and no updates. Our students’ competitors write such unlikable nonsense.
5. In the New Year, ask your school counselor to make an advocacy call on your behalf. And bring your already submitted Letter of Continued Interest to your school counselor so they can present you as you presented yourself in your letter.

What Not To Do After Being Deferred by Tufts

1. Do not call the Tufts admissions office to find out why you didn’t get in. They don’t wish to speak with you. Deal with it.
2. Do not email the Tufts admissions office. Some students come to us after being deferred by Tufts for assistance with a Letter of Continued Interest — only for us to find out that they’ve already emailed the Tufts admissions office after receiving word of their deferral. Such superfluous communications will only drown out the power of your letter.
3. Do not pitch a tent outside the Tufts admissions office. You might laugh, but students come up with all sorts of bird-brained ideas. And colleges have had enough with the tents in recent months!
4. Do not post a YouTube video to the Tufts admissions committee. You might think it’s never been done and it will give you a chance for them to see you, but it’s not a novel idea, and they don’t need to see your face. Express yourself through your letter.
5. Do not pepper Tufts with communications after you submit your letter. We’re okay with your school counselor contacting Tufts after you submit your letter. We love advocacy calls from them! But it would help to restrict your communication to Tufts to that letter.

Deferred Students’ Chances Improve Dramatically with Ivy Coach

A ubiquitous statistic we’ve seen over 30+ years of being in business is that about 10% of deferred candidates ultimately earn admission to the school that chose to defer their candidacy in the Early round. While this statistic varies a bit by school, most schools hit at a deferral rate somewhere close to 10%.

If that 10% feels a bit pessimistic, for students who come to Ivy Coach after being deferred, we help get that rate up to about 40%. We work one-on-one with a student to craft a compelling Letter of Interest and boost their chances of admission after a deferral, just about quadrupling the likelihood of acceptance.

What to Do After Tufts University Rejection

We’ve all been there — rejected by that which we wanted most. Take a deep breath and find your inner peace. We get it — easier said than done. Admission to Tufts was worth fighting for, but a Regular Decision acceptance could just be around the corner.

Instead of lingering on the what-ifs of whether you could have been deferred or accepted (the statistics of which are already sparse), take this time to evaluate your application with the objectivity of a geologist appraising a gem. It won’t be easy, but you don’t have to do it alone. 

Ivy Coach’s team of former elite college admissions officers offers a PostMortem application review that identifies weaknesses and helps you create a compelling new narrative with a singular hook for your Regular Decision applications. With some hard work and strategic thinking, you could walk away with Regular Decision acceptances to schools that are just as worthy of your commitment as Tufts was (or even more)!

Tufts University Early Decision Rejection Rate

Take a second to practice some circumspection. While Tufts doesn’t publish any deferral or rejection rate data, and you might feel lost at this moment, this is not the end of your rope.

Remind yourself that many other impeccable students have been in your shoes. In fact, an increasing number of students have experienced rejection in both the Early rounds and the Regular Decision round as the acceptance rate gets lower and lower across the board.

Tufts University PostMortem

During our PostMortem, we:

• Launch your pivot into Regular Decision applications. We will review every section of up to three applications, including both the essay and non-essay portions, and help reorient your approach after receiving this unfortunate news from Tufts. This is a hard pill for some to swallow, but it is indeed necessary to redo applications, even the applications you think you’re nearly finished with. Lots of things could be wrong with these current drafts. Presenting as well-rounded, for example, tends to limit your admissions odds. Whatever the case, we’ll correct this mistake and help you pivot to the only tried and true strategy for elite college admissions: the singular hook.
• Correct the small stuff that may have played a role in your rejection. Sometimes, you simply might rub your application reader the wrong way (like by unnecessarily bragging or boasting). Or perhaps you didn’t meet the rigorous academic standards Tufts expects of their applicants. Whatever the case, you need to provide them with a roadmap for engagement oriented around a singular hook, or you won’t give them the reassurance they need that you’ll be an active and engaged student on campus.
• Rethink your Regular Decision school list. You might consider applying via the Early Decision II (ED II) round at a school that maintains a balance between prestige and admissions feasibility. But even if you elect not to apply to a school via ED II (we absolutely understand if an ED II school isn’t for you!), you need to have reasonable reach schools (as well as safety schools) on your Regular Decision list. More often than not, the schools Ivy Coach suggest in December are the ones our students get into in April (and so often attend)!

Tufts University Application Assistance

Following your PostMortem, which is an essential first step in understanding what went wrong and how to readjust, we will:

• Revamp your Regular Decision applications with Ivy Coach’s help. After the PostMortem, you’ll know the ropes of our admissions strategy, so now it’s time to take action based on what you learned. We may not be able to fix every mistake made in high school, but we can help you optimize how you present yourself to make you an enticing option in the eyes of your Regular Decision admissions officers.

What Not to Do After Being Rejected by Tufts

A successful Regular Decision round is a feat that’s easier said than done, especially given the many mistakes you can make. Avoid the following:

1. Submitting your remaining applications without changes. A rejection is evidence that you took a wrong turn somewhere along the line, so adjust your strategy rather than doubling down and turning your blinders up to any changes to your incorrect course of action.
2. Reaching out to the Tufts Admissions. No one likes to have their time wasted by unnecessary appeals and questions, least of all an overworked admissions officer! Besides, your rejection is final. Unfortunately, you will not be attending Tufts next year. The truth can hurt. We get it. But no one can change that reality now…
3. Do not be picky with your Regular Decision list. You were rejected by Tufts. This means it would not be wise to turn your attention exclusively to the Yales, Harvards, and Stanfords of the world since all are only more competitive than Tufts. You need to have other top schools on your list (along with a necessary safety school or two). Maybe it’s time you dust off those hiking boots and consider a romp through the forests of Vermont (A.K.A. consider applying to Middlebury). Or take a dose of Southern Hospitality and tour Vanderbilt. Pickiness is not your friend right now!
4. Don’t blame your school counselor for an admissions decision that rests in your hands. While high school counselors may not always perform their duties perfectly — such as when they hesitate to advocate for students during calls with college admissions officers — they are still your most important ally in pursuing your college future. Why push away the one built-in support you have at this moment?

Tufts University Deferral and Rejection FAQ

Does Tufts accept, defer, and reject Early Decision I and II applicants?

Yes, Tufts accepts, defers, and rejects Early Decision I and II candidates. All deferred candidates — be it through Early Decision I or Early Decision II — will learn of their decision by April 1, 2026.

Is a Tufts University deferral meaningful?

Yes, unlike some schools, Tufts is not known to defer the bulk of the Early Decision applicant pool. As such, a Tufts deferral is meaningful.

Is Tufts more challenging to get into than its current US News & World Report ranking may imply?

Yes! Tufts, in Ivy Coach’s view, can be as difficult to earn admission to as the likes of Northwestern University and Johns Hopkins University. Don’t be fooled by its relatively low ranking in US News & World Report. While US News enjoys an outsized influence on the highly selective college admissions process, it’s just a magazine at the end of the day.

Can you appeal your Tufts University rejection?

Certainly not. Like almost all elite universities, Tufts does not allow appeals of their decisions. Yet it never ceases to amaze us how many families come to us after Tufts rejections and ask how they can initiate an appeal process. Our hands are tied, as are yours! When every moment counts post-rejection, there’s no use barking up this tree.

Ivy Coach’s Assistance with Your Tufts Deferral or Rejection

If you’ve been deferred or rejected by Tufts and seek to optimize your case for admission in Regular Decision (to Tufts and other elite schools post-deferral and to other elite schools post-rejection), fill out Ivy Coach’s complimentary consultation form, and we’ll be in touch to outline our go-forward services for deferred or rejected candidates to the Class of 2030.