Applying for the 3rd time.....advice, tips?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Tulane University
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<p>Hello, I am a freshman at a different University, applying to Tulane for yes, the third time, this time as a transfer. It has been almost a year since I wandered into the depths of College Confidential, and if you want to know about the situation I was dealing with last year, please read some of my other posts. </p>

<p>The short version of my situation is this: I applied to Tulane during my senior year, and was put at the top of the wait list, despite tulane being my top choice. I had to take a year off because my dad didn't want to pay for college, during which I decided to apply SCEA, and (after much conversation between me and several admissions councelors) got in with a decent merit scholarship. I saved up all of my money to pay a deposit with full intention of going to Tulane, only for my dad to cut me off once again and say I will not support you unless you spend at least a year at ____university (what is now my current institution). I ended up hating it (and I had a hunch before I came that I would end up feeling this way). </p>

<p>And so now, here I am, with my third round of college applications wanting to apply to Tulane again. i've had a lot of trouble with my dad controlling me with money--He got remarried during my gap year and his new wife got me kicked out and I supported myself while living on my own until I came to school where he barely paid my tuition. I almost had to drop out during my second semester here because he didn't want to pay for my 2nd semester. When he was telling me that I had to go to my current institution, he said that after I spent a year here, I could go ANYWHERE I wanted. Whether he will change his mind or not AGAIN is something I don't know. Right now I am going with my gut and applying just in case he does stick to his word (I have applied to other schools besides tulane, though tulane is my top choice).</p>

<p>I haven't sent in my app yet, but Ive started it. I know it is not technically due until June but I am filling out the app slowly as the workload I am currently dealing with at my current college is heavy and i want it to be as polished as possible.</p>

<p>I just wanted to hear some feedback on tips for applying for the third time, what might be a good idea to put on my application, to contact the school and say, for financial aid and the like.</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

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<p>HI BME. I am so sorry to hear that you are unhappy at C***. I remember your saga well from last year and I was so rooting for you and wondering what the outcome of your situation was. I am sad that things did not work out as you had hoped, but now you have another chance.</p>

<p>I don’t remember from last year - were you ultimately accepted at Tulane (I believe that you were initially deferred, is that right? And, did you then have to turn it down because of your dear ole dad? </p>

<p>I think that yours is a rather unique situation which you should definitely include in your “Why Tulane” essay (assuming that there is a why Tulane on the Transfer app). Tulane has always been your top choice and your decision to attend a year elsewhere was ultimately not one that you made happily. You can also include how this year has only served to confirm your belief that Tulane is the best fit for you</p>

<p>I think that contacting and creating a relationship with your admissions counselor could also be beneficial.
Of course, your financial situation (will dad pay??) will once again become a major factor in your ability to attend. If he refuses (which it sounds like he may), you will need to speak to someone in the financial aid office. </p>

<p>Please keep us posted BME. What I do hope is that even if Tulane does not work out (but I hope it does) that you can find some happiness and success at your current school.</p>

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<p>Yes, this was quite a saga from last year and now I am afraid dear old Dad has really screwed the pooch for you. There are no scholarships for transfers that are nearly as good as what you had, so his intransigence has turned out to be very expensive. I have no faith he will keep his word when he finds out you cannot get the scholarship you had before.</p>

<p>I am very sorry for you to be in this situation, you had virtually no control over it. So unless Dad truly is willing to pay whatever Tulane costs, I don’t see any avenue for you. I don’t even think the equivalent of an emancipation, meaning demonstrating to Tulane that you are independent from your parents and therefore qualify as very low income, is feasible. It is hard to do and would potentially put you in more of a pickle anyway. So I am afraid I am just not optimistic. Sorry to be such a downer.</p>