<p>GPA: 4.0 Unweighted, 4.42 weighted (max at my school with only 4 AP classes)
Rank: top 1%, 1/183
ACT: 30 composite, 35 English, 28 Reading, 27 Math, 30 Science (probably too late to retake I know it's low)
Personal statement was pretty good. I used it for an honors program at another school so it had to be good if I was hoping to be accepted to that, haha. But Tulane is recently my new top choice. The essay was about a highly selective math program I did and how it helped me realize my passion for math and desire to study mathematics in college.</p>
<p>My Why Tulane was decent. I wrote about how the school encompasses everything I was looking for with their academics, sports ( I am an athlete looking to play a Division I sport at Tulane), and the location is perfect for me. However, I feel like it could have and should have been better because Tulane really is my top choice and I really do want to go there.</p>
<p>I am sending 2 letters of recommendation in addition to the counselor recommendation. I will try to have them include more about how interested I really am, as I have come to understand that that aspect is VERY important..</p>
<p>I applied for EA by the way.</p>
<p>Besides my obvious question of whether you think I have a chance...
How else could I express interest in the school and is there anything else I can do at this point to boost my chances?</p>
<p>Of course you have a chance, you have a great resume. While your ACT might be low for Harvard or Duke, it is fine for Tulane. But a perfect GPA, first in your class, as challenging a schedule as your school has, and obviously a good bowler if you are thinking you can compete at the Div. I level, you are in good shape.</p>
<p>You can always e-mail your admissions rep with further thoughts on why Tulane is your top choice. You could even ask to have your application changed from EA to SCEA, unless you have already applied EA to other schools.</p>
<p>Did you attend a local Tulane event? Or visit the campus? The main thing at this point is to let them know that if you are accepted you would definitely attend (if that’s true).</p>
<p>FYI, I saw from your other posts you are strongly looking at Barrett Honors College at ASU. My D did as well, and we visited. It’s a great program and she was accepted, but in the end she chose Tulane for a variety of reasons.</p>
<p>Thank you for your reply! I’ve read a ton of posts on Tulane and you are very helpful. Yes I was almost set on going to Barrett until recently when I was informed of Tulane and what a great opportunity it could be. If I did not get into Tulane or just simply could not afford it, I would probably end up having no choice but staying in-state and attending Barrett. I will definitely email my admissions rep. I just didn’t want to bug them or seem desperate or anything (even though I suppose I am in a way). I have not attended a local Tulane event because I never looked into any. But I will definitely look for any local events and try to make one. I have not visited the campus yet but I hope to get a chance to in the future. </p>
<p>No problem. You are absolutely not bugging them, they like and need to hear your voice. They cannot read your mind. Also it does not seem desperate, communication is key.</p>
<p>I do fear that affordability will be an issue, though. Tulane is generous, so it will just depend on what they offer you. I would say that if the financial aid package looks like you would come out of undergrad with more than $20-25K of debt, you should pick Barrett, assuming that is a choice. Tulane is wonderful, but no school is worth taking on a big debt load, IMO.</p>
<p>Even though my D is very happy at Tulane and certainly thinks she made the right decision, I am also sure that if she had ended up at Barrett she would also be having a great experience, yet a very different one (rock climbing, anyone? LOL). Seriously, there is no doubt the environment at the two schools are almost polar opposites, but they both have numerous first-rate opportunities for students that are dedicated to academic excellence. And those facilities that would have been brand-new her freshman year at Barrett were pretty enticing. If Tulane doesn’t work out, I would remain excited about Barrett if I were you. So much of having a great college experience, whether at a private school like Tulane or a large public like ASU, depends mostly on the effort you put into making it everything you want it to be.</p>
<p>I am hoping that with a combination of merit-based, need-based (my family is not very wealthy at all), and hopefully athletic scholarships/grants, along with outside scholarships if I am lucky enough to receive any, I will be able to afford Tulane with little debt. Barrett would be less of an issue. I would have little to no debt after 4 years if I attended Barrett, but they only have a club team and it costs 2000 dollars to bowl in it. Tulane is a much better opportunity for me and I would rather go there because it would be different but I think I would really like it. I’ve been to Barrett, in fact I spent 6 weeks on the campus, and I love Tempe and Arizona in general but a different atmosphere like New Orleans would probably be good for me.</p>
<p>I totally understand. It does sound like Tulane would be a great fit for you, based on what I can see from all your posts. BTW, the Rock & Bowl, where Tulane bowls for home meets, is completely unique and wonderful.</p>
<p>I have never been to New Orleans but I have been talking to the bowling coach and she mentioned the center where Tulane bowls. It does sound wonderful. I really hope I at least get a chance to visit it. And thanks for the info! I will definitely let you (and anyone else who might be following this post) know how things go.</p>
<p>Also, does it hurt my application if I am not a NMF? I did not even take the PSAT because I didn’t really know what good it could do me back then. Yes I regret it but it’s too late now.
Does it hurt other than not getting the extra 2000? </p>
<p>I also did not really talk a lot about my community service a lot on my app. I mentioned it but it said to list any positions held or honors (or something like that) and never asked to describe it so I kind of just listed them and did not elaborate.</p>
No, you are fine here. Try not to obsess over things like this. Easy to say, hard to do I know.</p>
<p>As far as the community service, if you think there are aspects of things you did that would be useful for the admissions people to know, just write a concise e-mail to your adcom that says something like “I just wanted to elaborate a bit on what my community service commitments involved and why it was important to me”. Remember, admissions is trying to get to know you as well as this process allows without getting overwhelmed by detail they cannot possibly have the time to digest. So again, have a dialog with them but be respectful of their time and obligations.</p>