I was at Tufts for two weeks and actually got to do a lot of stuff. We had a lot of trips over the weekend and sometimes on weekdays. My experience was very great: I had a lot of friends and made even more friends, and the campus was very big and beautiful. There were also a lot of memorable moments, like trips to a sightseeing ferry, Uno tournament, Dave and Busters, and more.
I also had fun in most of the classes where we did projects, like dissections. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, we went to Tufts’ Boston Medical Campus where we did a lot of emergency situations, like practicing strapping someone to a backboard in an ambulance, CPR, drawing blood, taking oxygen, and [learning] how to save someone in different scenarios.
I honestly expected Tufts to be more local, or closer to the city, but I was still able to go into Boston very often. Seeing the Tufts campus definitely made me realize how much I’m used to the city, since I’m from New York.
I would recommend doing [pre-college] to juniors specifically because it would benefit them to do it closer to the time they go to college. I would also recommend Tufts to people that prefer suburban neighborhoods, or something more rural.
This program definitely impacted my view on what I’m going to do in the future because I always thought that I had to go into college knowing the exact major and exact classes to take, but after hearing different college experiences from alumni, I realized that as long as I know what career path I choose to take, the rest of the load is easier. They also helped me realize that medical professions are a big commitment because you would have to be in college up until your mid 20s. It is definitely something I’m willing to do, and I’m glad I signed up for the program that I did because it only helped me get more interested—not only in pediatrics, which is what I wish to major in, but also in dentistry and emergency medical services and other parts of medicine that I didn’t know much about before.
One highlight was the dorm experience. Living in the dorms gave me a real sense of independence and a preview of college life. The dorms were comfortable and welcoming, and I bonded with a lot of students through study sessions and eating in the dining hall together as well. The campus itself was very vibrant and full of energy the whole time I was there.
Another highlight was exploring the areas around Tufts. Just a short walk [and] train ride away, the city of Boston offered endless opportunities for adventure and fun. Being so close to the city while living in a supportive campus community gave me the best of both worlds at once.
Overall, Tufts Pre-College [Programs] made me excited about my future in higher education and I know that the experiences will continue to inspire me as I take more steps in my academic journey.