Why Tufts? Reflections After My First Year in the MS in Economics Program

When I started the MS in Economics at Tufts, I had been out of school for a year. I was nervous—especially when I opened the first microeconomics problem set and couldn’t make sense of most of it. I thought maybe I wasn’t cut out for this. But then I talked to a few others in my cohort, and quickly realized: everyone felt the same way.

That realization was surprisingly comforting. We didn’t know everything, but we were all in it together. Some of my favorite memories from the first semester are of sitting for hours at the Joyce Cummings Center, overlooking the snow-covered basketball courts, trying to wrap our heads around the homework.

Why I Chose Tufts

To be honest, funding played a big role. As an international student with bills to pay, the generous scholarship and on-campus job opportunities made a huge difference. I didn’t expect the department to offer multiple kinds of paid roles—teaching assistantships, research assistantships, even administrative work—all at pretty decent pay. That support has been important, both financially and mentally.

I also liked that the program allowed space for research. I knew I didn’t just want a coursework-heavy degree; I wanted the option to explore a research question seriously. The thesis track (which I’m currently on) was one of the reasons I chose Tufts.

What Stood Out

Something I really appreciated—especially in the early weeks—was how approachable the professors were. You could show up to office hours without a polished question and just say, “I’m stuck,” and they’d help you work through it. I never felt like I had to have all the answers before asking for help.

The small cohort size also helped. It made it easier to form study groups, share internship leads, and just feel less alone when things became overwhelming.

First-Year Takeaways

Grad school is intense, and that’s not a surprise. What I didn’t expect was how much I’d enjoy parts of it—even the difficult bits. I learned how to ask better questions, read papers more critically, and stop panicking when my code throws 12 errors. I also slowly figured out where my interests lie, which for me is in gender and labor economics. I’m currently working on a thesis about how caste-based social networks influence women’s labor outcomes in India. There were tough moments too. Times when everything felt too fast, or when I compared myself too much. However, I’ve realized that’s part of the process—most people are figuring things out as they go.

For Someone Considering Tufts

If you're thinking about this program, here are a few honest notes:

● You don’t need to know your research topic on day one. Interests evolve—and that’s normal.

● The first semester will feel fast.Try not to get discouraged; it does get better.

● Use office hours. Even if it feels awkward at first, they help.

● Explore job and research opportunities within the department. There’s more flexibility than it might seem.

● Get off campus sometimes. Boston has so much to offer, and Tufts gives you discounted or even free tickets to plays, concerts, and museums.Take advantage while the weather’s good—because once winter hits, you’ll want to stay curled up inside the JCC.

Looking Ahead

Heading into year two, I feel more grounded. I know my way around the course structure, I’ve built a solid network of peers, and I’m working on research that actually excites me. There’s still a lot I don’t know—and that’s fine. I think that’s the point of being here.