Tulane University

Tulane University is a school that evolved from a moderately selective university in the 1980’s into a quite selective university with name recognition.  I encourage students and parents to evaluate it for its intrinsic strengths regardless of selectivity.

Tulane Quad

Tulane is located in the beautiful Uptown neighborhood in New Orleans.  Loyola University directly borders Tulane, and the neighborhood consists of large antebellum homes.  Tulane and Loyola enjoy a “frenemy” relationship because they are competitors that collaborate. The university is on a trolley line that goes directly to downtown New Orleans, and near the French Quarter.

Tulane Academics

Tulane has five schools:

1. School of Architecture and Built Environment

2. Freeman School of Business

3. School of Liberal Arts

4. Weatherhead School of Public Health

5. School of Science and Engineering

6. School of Social Work

Architecture Class at Tulane

Classes are of a moderate size.  Most classes will have 19 or fewer students, and less than one percent of classes will have more than 100 students.  Students at Tulane may take classes at Loyola University, which directly borders the Tulane campus.

Tulane offers some interesting options for students who plan to attend graduate or professional school.  Tulane offers a 3 + 3 program with its law school.  In addition, Tulane students can potentially enroll in its medical school without taking the MCAT.

Tulane Students

Tulane has approximately 8,200 undergraduate students and 13,300 students in total.

Tulane offers over 300 clubs.  Prospective students who want to attend a college that offers tons of activities outside of school should consider Tulane.

Gym at Tulane

Greek life is active at Tulane, but participation is skewed based on gender.  About 30 percent of men are in fraternities, while around 80 percent of women are in sororities according to my tour guide, (but Tulane’s Common Data Set puts the participation rate in sororities at just over 50 percent).  Pre-professional Greek life is more popular than social Greek life.

Tulane has a “work-hard, play-hard” vibe.  School spirit is high on campus, and students can score free tickets to football games.

Some students participate in off-campus events in New Orleans, which has more festivals than there are school days at Tulane.

Krewe of Cleopatra Pre-Mardi Gras Parade

Only seniors and commuters may have cars on campus.

Tulane Admissions

Tulane, along with Northeastern University in Boston, was among the first schools to change its admissions practices, in part to lower its admission rate.

Tulane leans into admitting students who apply early and are more likely to enroll.  An applicant’s best bet might be to apply Early Decision, which compels the student to enroll.  Most applications submitted for Early Decisions are admitted at Tulane.  Students should also consider applying Early Action, in part because it increases the odds of receiving merit aid.

Gibson Hall

Tulane offers a free application, which helps it attract a large number of applicants, but many of them will not demonstrate a strong interest in actually enrolling.  Tulane is not likely to accept students who do not show serious demonstrated interest.  Read more about demonstrated interest here:  https://www.educ8fit.com/post/interested-in-college

Tulane is test-optional, and likes to attract applicants with test scores that raise Tulane’s academic profile.  Tulane discourages reporting test scores that fall in the bottom quartile of admitted students’ test scores.  Most students who enroll in Tulane did not submit test scores.

Tulane requires a statement about why they want to attend Tulane.  The statement needs to be tailored narrowly so that it applies just to Tulane.  Tulane encourages applicants to be themselves to be unique when writing the statement.  Try to focus on the “three C’s”: curriculum, campus, and communities when writing about Tulane.

Tulane does not admit students by major; it is fine for students to be undecided.

Tulane encourages students to showcase the rigor of their curriculum in their applications.

Tulane Affordability

The total cost of attendance at Tulane is close to $99K a year.

Tulane requires need-based financial aid applicants to submit the CSS Profile in addition to the FAFSA.  The CSS Profile takes a deeper dive into your finances than the FAFSA.  Tulane typically meets about 92 percent of demonstrated need.

The Commons - Tulane's Student Center

Students chasing merit aid should consider applying Early Action.  Around 38 percent of students receive merit aid.  The typical merit aid award is around $19K per year.  Architecture applicants can receive a scholarship based on their portfolio. 

Tulane Housing

In addition to traditional student housing, students can reside in residential learning communities.  In these communities, students learn about and participate in activities centered around a theme, such as outdoor recreation.  About 60 percent of students reside on campus.

McAllister Auditorium

Educ8Fit Consulting

I work with students and families on the college and graduate school admission process. I help them navigate such complexities as merit aid and international admissions.  Please contact Educ8Fit Consulting at either Jim@Educ8Fit.com or College Admission Counseling | Educ8fit Consulting | United States, contact for a free 30-minute consultation.