Chances for Tulane

Colleges and Universities A-Z Tulane University
1

<p>Hi, I didn't know if I should put this under the chance forum, but I figured I would get more response here. I'd really like to know my chances of getting admission to Tulane and maybe how much I could get in scholarships/aid, if any. Lol. I know my stats are low; I've just always dreamed of going to Tulane and, now that I'll be a senior, I'm realizing just how low they are when trying to get merit-based aid. So I've really ruled out Tulane, but I've wanted to go there for so long I don't want to let go. I want to make sure I don't stand a single chance lol.</p>

<p>I'm a white male from OOS (Tennessee) who will be a senior in a public school this upcoming year. I'm looking to major in Latin American Studies, and it appears Tulane's program is pretty great. I'm also a first-time college student, and my family's income is around $80,000.</p>

<p>Currently:
GPA: 3.5 UW, 4.0 W
Rank: 28 out of 300 (top 10%)
ACT: 29 (Taken twice, will take again) Superscores: 35 Eng, 34 Reading, 28 Science, 21 Math (Always been my downfall...)
SAT: Haven't taken, primarily because I've heard math matters more on it than ACT :(</p>

<p>By the time I graduate:
Will have taken 5 AP classes (Eng Lang, Eng Lit, Biology, USH, US Gov) and 11 honors classes (including 4 years of honors Spanish).
Extracurriculars/Volunteering:
Pep Club- 9th, 10th
Beta Club- 11th, 12th
NHS- 11th, 12th
DECA- 11th (won metro competition in category)
Spanish NHS- 12th (will actually start it myself)
Unfortunately, never played any sports because my school's football team is regularly one of the best in the state, and I'm not good enough lol.
Won several state and city-wide essay contests
100+ hours volunteering at St. Jude and LeBonheur children's hospitals
100+ hours at District Attorney's office
50+ hours at drug rehab center
25+ hours at local state park
Hopefully I will get an internship at a local Latino organization, but I don't know yet.
Also will have held a part-time job for 14 months at a fast-food restaurant.</p>

<p>I've visited New Orleans several times growing up to visit family and to vacation. I've never visited Tulane, but I have wanted to go there since probably middle school after seeing them play our local team in sports over the years. I absolutely love the city of New Orleans, and don't mind the heat as it is very comparable to ours lol. </p>

<p>So, am I totally off in trying to get in? Obviously my ACT scores are low, but is there anything else especially I should improve upon? I've been looking at Loyno too, so if you know anything about them it would also be very helpful. Well, I guess that's about it. Thank you in advance; any help is greatly appreciated!</p>

2

<p>You have a reasonable shot actually. Certainly no slam dunk, but the fact you are in the top 10% of your class really helps. The somewhat low ACT is a bit offset by the fact that it is one area, math, that brings you down. The other scores are outstanding to good, so it is possible the area of weakness, coupled with your prospective major (not very math heavy unless you dream of teaching math to Latin American kids, which I rather doubt) and the good EC’s will go a long way. Attend Tulane events in your area, go visit as soon as you can, and apply early early early, SCEA seems logical for you.</p>

<p>Just a thought, you might want to actually highlight your struggle with math in a short essay. By pointing out how strong you are in other areas and that it is only math that brings down the overall number, you might insure they notice the excellent scores in the other areas.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

3

<p>fallenchemist, thanks for the quick reply. And I would’ve never thought of pointing out the math part, sounds like a good move. You mentioned SCEA, this is the first I’ve heard of it, could you explain it in layman’s terms? lol. I’ve tried to find information on the different application processes; it seems incredibly confusing with early decision, admission and all…</p>

<p>Anybody else, chances?</p>

4

<p>SCEA = Single Choice Early Action (nonbinding). This means that Tulane is your first choice and that you will not be applying to any other schools for any form of early action or early decision. If admitted, you still would have until May 1, 2012 to make up your mind. As for chances, I second fallenchemist’s assessment, particularly the part about applying as early as possible for best results. Mid-September would not be too soon.</p>

5

<p>Thanks, caddis. So, if I were to apply SCEA for Tulane I wouldn’t be able to apply anywhere else until regular admission? Does SCEA necessarily give a better chance at admission than early action or decision?
I guess it would come down to money; In the event I do get accepted, and they don’t give me a decent amount, then I won’t be able to attend… Because I definately can’t come near that $50k on my own lol. I wouldn’t want to get stuck with Tulane and have it turn out that I won’t be able to afford to go. Would that be the way it would work? I know nothing about how the financing of college works so please excuse my ignorance lol.
And wow, mid-September? I’m realizing my school has done nothing to prepare us for college so far lol. Thank god there’s places like this on the internet that actually help.</p>

6

<p>Personally, I’d recommend apply Early Action as opposed to SCEA. Since you say it’d be difficult for your family to pay about 50k a year, in the event that you don’t get an adequate amount of financial aid SCEA may actually be a setback. On the other hand, EA is almost the same thing only you’d be able to apply to other colleges early as well and keep your options open in terms of financial security.
PLUS when applying to Tulane using EA, your chances of admission are about 66% as opposed to Regular admission which is about a 27% chance of acceptance. :slight_smile: ([Colleges</a> Where Applying Early Action Helps - US News and World Report](<a href=“http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/applying/applying-101/articles/2009/09/30/colleges-where-applying-early-action-helps]Colleges”>http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/applying/applying-101/articles/2009/09/30/colleges-where-applying-early-action-helps))
I looked on the same website for colleges where Early Decision (or SCEA) helps, and Tulane wasn’t on the list. So just go for EA. You have nothing to lose!</p>

<p>Best of luck to both of us! :)</p>

7

<p>SAT math is easier than ACT math.</p>

<p>SAT math doesn’t have much algebra II and it has no trig…</p>

8

<p>your gpa is kinda low and your act is kinda low but your EC life is amazing. PEP CLUB YAY!! you volunteeredat a drub rehab center?!?! that so interesting your course load is pretty good yeah you should def go to a Tulane sponsored event if you can NEW ORLEANS BABY!! lol i just watched a NO commercial as we speak</p>

9

<p>GPA doesn’t mean nearly as much as class rank. It just means your school grades tough. Being in the top 10% much more important.</p>