red128523 is exactly right on about Tulane. Go to the Tulane thread and see that they were rejecting people with ACTs of 34 and 35, valedictorians, people who got into U. Of Chicago, Rice, Vandy, etc. Why? School spirit and commitment to continuing the rebuild of New Orleans is VERY important to Tulane. There is a reason why it has been ranked to have one of the “happiest” student bodies in the country. Right now the particular focus at Tulane is on interdisciplinary education. That is, they are looking for students with specific reasons to study disparate fields simultaneously, and how those reasons jive with their demonstrated interests and their plans for the future. An international focus is particularly welcome. They reject such highly qualified candidates who fail to demonstrate sufficient interest because they don’t want hem winding up there as a back-up and potentially lowering morale with negativity and even transferring out. At the end of the day, you need to do what is best for you and go where you will be happy and successful. Wishing you all the best!