Tufts 1+4 Bridge-Year Service Learning Program

Tisch College’s innovative bridge-year program provides accepted students the opportunity to learn from a transformational year of full-time community service before beginning their academic studies at Tufts. Tufts 1+4 is designed to enable students to gain real-world experience with a community organization; discover new personal, academic, and professional passions; and learn about themselves and the world. Through generous support from individual donors as well as Santander Bank, N.A., through its Santander Universities Division, Tufts 1+4 provides need-based support for any applicant who qualifies for Tufts financial aid, with our highest-need Fellows receiving full funding.

From an on-campus orientation and post-service retreat, to enrollment in a blended-learning Tufts University course, 1+4 is embedded in the Tufts experience. Fellows share their Bridge-Year experience with future classmates, and enter Tufts with an existing community of mentors and peers. Visit our Bridge-Year Overview page to discover all aspects of the 1+4 experience.

Our current Tufts 1+4 Fellows are in Brazil, Nicaragua, and Spain serving as mentors and teachers to children and teens; caring for rescued wild animals; contributing to renewable energy and sustainability projects; teaching English and music theory; and more. They are learning languages, building relationships with colleagues and peers, growing as leaders, confronting challenges, and honing their communications skills. Visit the 1+4 Blog to hear from Fellows about their experience.

Tufts 1+4 offers a wide variety of service opportunities in international and domestic locations. Learn more about our international programs in Brazil, Nicaragua, Spain, ourdomestic opportunities with City Year, and about the service organizations we work with to offer transformational experiences for our students.

The decision to a take a Bridge-Year can be both exciting and challenging for students and parents. Visit our FAQs written especially for families to learn more about our program and get answers to questions that parents may have about this experience.

Apply to be a Tufts 1+4 Fellow, learn more about financial support and assistance, and connect with us through email, Facebook, and Instagram to explore this unique opportunity!