Medford/Somerville, Mass. – In June, the New York Times and the International Herald Tribune cited Tufts as one of the most competitive universities in the country. In a prominant second-page article, University President John DiBiaggio told the International Herald Tribune that this year's freshman class is the most selective in Tufts' 147-year history.

   The New York Times reported that over 13,500 students competed for 1,250 places in the class of 2003. New England Cable News and the Boston Herald produced similar stories following Tufts' coverage in the International Herald Tribune.

   In an interview with New England Cable News, Boston's largest regional all-news station, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions David Cuttino attributed the increasing popularity of Tufts to its position as an international leader in higher education. Cuttino's comments were supported by the record-number of Tufts students to receive Fulbright scholarships.

   Shattering last year's record totals, 14 Tufts students were awarded Fulbright Scholarships. For the second year in a row the unparalleled results give the University one of the highest per-capita ratios in the nations for these highly competitive international research grants. Tufts success earning Fulbright Scholarships may be a direct result of student's overwhelming interest in the University's international study options.

   Forty percent of the undergraduate student-body studies outside the United States for at least one semester, smashing the national average of less than 10 percent. The University runs international programs in Japan, Chile, Ghana, Spain, London, France, Germany and Russia. Last year, Tufts students were studying on every continent except Antarctica.