TUFTS PARENTS AND FAMILIES (TPF) NEWSLETTER | October 21, 2026
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Dear Parents and Families,
Majors Month is underway, and the Career Center is offering a variety of opportunities for students to learn about career paths; the Seasonal Break website has details to help you and your Jumbo plan ahead for fall, winter, and spring breaks; and speaking of breaks, Jumbo Spring Break and JUMP-IN (both featured below) offer immersive on- and off-campus experiences for students to consider.
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Also, be sure to check out this edition's Events and Opportunities section for in-person and virtual events open to all community members, including Tisch College of Civic Life lectures and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts' (SMFA) Annual Art Sale.
Best wishes,
Carole McFall
Family Engagement, AS&E
carole.mcfall@tufts.edu
Direct: 617-627-2797
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Students Build Houses and Community during Jumbo Spring Break |
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There are lots of ways students can spend their Spring Break. Jumbo Spring Break (JSB) at Tufts offers a chance to make a difference, learn new skills, and develop lifelong friendships.
Launched by the Dean of Students Office in 2024, JSB experiences are created in partnership with Habitat for Humanity and help build homes for families.
The first JSB took place in Greater Boston locations. Since then, the program has grown from 14 to 35 participants, including 2-4 staff members, and has traveled to Longmont, Colorado, and Maui, Hawaii. In addition to working full days on the construction site, students spend time exploring their host city and sharing meals and experiences that lead to meaningful connections.
For Zaynab Espana, A28, from Ecuador, who’s double majoring in Biology and Dance, Spring Break 2027 will be her third time participating in JSB. Last year, she took on the added responsibility of JSB Coordinator for the trip to Hawaii, a leadership role she continues for JSB 2027 as the program returns to Maui.
Espana explains the varying time commitments. “As a coordinator, I’ve been helping with the planning since August and will be participating in weekly meetings through May, finalizing details for the trip as well as pre- and post-meetings with participants.” She says students who are interested in JSB apply during the fall semester. Then, in the new year, there will be a retreat to get to know each other and learn about the culture and community of Maui in preparation for the trip.
Associate Dean of Students Kevin Kraft, who leads the JSB program says most of the students who participate have no construction experience, but learn from Habitat for Humanity partners who are on site. “Whether they’re installing drywall and siding or painting and adding fixtures, the work is critical to the structure. Students gain confidence learning new skills, and see the tangible results of their labor, knowing it will make a difference for the family who will live there," he said.
Kraft emphasizes the positive impact the JSB program has on students. He hopes to expand the program to include multiple locations each year with additional student coordinator positions and peer leader opportunities.
For Espana, the most memorable moment from Maui in 2026 came on the last day of construction. “We had been building during the week with the homeowner, and when we arrived, she had written a Hawaiian proverb on one of the walls of the home and asked all of us to sign the wall. It was so special for all of us, and that’s there forever.”
Pictured above: JSB 2026 participants at the construction site and in front of the Hawaiian proverb: ‘A’ohe hana nui ke alu ‘ia,’ which means, ‘No task is too big when done together.’
Upcoming JSB information sessions for students:
Monday, October 26 at 12 noon, Eaton Hall – room 201
Tuesday, October 27 at 6:30 p.m., JCC - room 525
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Students jump into Tufts' JUMP-IN Program and Hands-on Experiences during Spring Break |
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Photo: Kickoff event for the inaugural Jump-In program.
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JUMP-IN is designed for first-year students to explore their interests, build connections, and engage in experiential learning. The program takes place during Spring Break 2027, from Monday, March 22 through Friday, March 26, with an orientation on Sunday afternoon, March 21.
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Students can choose from a variety of interest areas, including The Arts, Dental Medicine, Design Problem Solving, Education, Global Policy, Medicine, Nutrition, Occupational Therapy, Social Science, and Veterinary Medicine.
There is no cost to participate in JUMP-IN. The program covers housing, meals, and any necessary transportation associated with the experience. Admission is application-based, and all interested students must submit a complete application by November 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. for consideration.
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Career Corner: Reducing the Stress of Choosing a Major |
With 100+ majors and minors at Tufts, it’s easy for students to feel overwhelmed and wonder if they’re choosing (or have chosen!) the “right” path. The Career Center is ready to assist your student with major exploration and declaration in Arts and Sciences, Engineering, and School of the Museum of Fine Arts (SMFA) in a variety of ways, including:
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1-on-1 Advising – We help students discover and chart a course toward their goals, which includes exploring the variety of majors and career options available to them. We also offer Drop-In Hours at locations across campus—no appointment needed! Students can stop by to meet with a friendly advisor and explore next steps.
- Majors Month (Oct. 19 - Nov. 20) – Events to help students understand the major declaration process, explore Tufts majors and minors, and reflect on the impact of their degrees. Students will find Majors Month announcements in their Academic Essentials Canvas course and their weekly Jumbo Digest of events (emailed every Sunday).
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Where Do Tufts Students Intern? View our destination outcomes to get a sense of the wide variety of paths available to Jumbos from all majors.
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Fifth-Year Master's Degree Programs |
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Photo: Joyce Cummings Center (JCC), Medford.
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Is your student thinking about graduate school? Tufts undergraduates can accelerate their academic journey through the Fifth-Year Master's Degree Programs at both the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) and the School of Engineering (SOE), which allow students to earn both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years.
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These programs integrate undergraduate and graduate coursework, enabling students to double-count and/or reserve select graduate-level courses to reduce the time and cost required to complete a master's degree.
Benefits include no application fee, no enrollment deposit, and no GRE requirement. GSAS offers graduate tuition scholarships proportionate to students' undergraduate financial aid awards.
Key deadlines are January 15 (priority) for seniors (GSAS and SOE) and March 15 for juniors (GSAS only). Rising juniors and seniors are encouraged to explore eligible programs and connect with their intended graduate program early to ensure they are on track for admission.
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Holiday Shopping Starts with Tufts |
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Photo: Campus Store, Medford.
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Get a head start on your holiday shopping list with new Tufts gear! Follow the Tufts Campus Store on Instagram and Facebook to be among the first to see new arrivals, restocked popular items, seasonal merchandise, promotions, and holiday gift ideas. Plus, be sure to check online for Cyber Monday savings on November 30.
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Plan Ahead for Break Periods
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Information about your student's breaks during the academic year and related housing and operations details is available online.
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Nov. 11 – Veterans Day; no classes
Nov. 18 - 24 – Spring 2027 class registrations start (specific dates depending on school and year)
Nov. 25 - 29 – Fall Break; no classes
Nov. 30 – Classes resume
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Resources for your Student
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There are a wide variety of support services available for students in Arts & Sciences, Engineering, and SMFA at Tufts.
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EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES (virtual and in-person options):
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Russell Lecture on Spiritual Life and Solomont Speaker Series Event: U.S. historian Dr. Fatimah Fanusie
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Wednesday, October 28, lecture from 5:30-6:30 p.m. ET, followed by a reception with light refreshments. Co-hosted by the Office of Religious and Philosophical Life and Tisch College as part of the Solomont Speaker Series.
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Save the Date: December 4-6
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School of the Museum of Fine Arts (SMFA) Annual Art Sale
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Show off your Jumbo Pride
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Check out dates, details, and ticket information for athletic events, music and theater performances, and more.
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175 Years of Innovation—Tufts kicks off a big anniversary year with a celebration of groundbreaking moments
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Emails and other communications to parents, families, and students are archived online.
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Enroll in the TuftsAlert system to be notified directly by text, phone, and/or email in case of significant emergencies affecting the Tufts University community.
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Photo: Students enjoy ice cream at the entrance to the SMFA at Tufts, Fenway/Boston.
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