<p>Hello all! I've been looking up and down for a definitive answer to this question: to apply to Tulane, as is written on the application, "a formal essay is not required, however...[description of Personal Statement here!]"</p>
<p>So, is a formal essay even accepted? Is there anywhere to include it? I'm helping someone with their application and we've written a longer-form ~800 essay, and then a shorter form ~400 personal statement specifically for the Tulane SCEA application... But we were under the impression that both would be read, so they are complementary.</p>
<p>If there's only room for one, we need to change it, and fast!</p>
<p>Well I wrote a personal statement for Tulane and realized that I could use it for my common app essay. But the only essays for Tulane is the personal statement and the optional but recommended Why Tulane, which should be 500 words or less</p>
<p>My son decided to use the essay from his common application as his personal statement for Tulane. He really focused on writing a standout “why Tulane”. Hope this helps.</p>
<p>This is why you should only ask a question in one place on a forum. Oh well, I guess I will repeat my answer from the other place you asked it.</p>
<p>While admissions has plenty to do and read, and so wouldn’t be too thrilled if everyone sent in an 800 word additional essay, if you send it to the admissions counselor responsible for this student’s region it will be considered. However, did they also do the Why Tulane essay? This is very important to do, forget the fact that it is labeled optional.</p>
<p>I don’t think there is a place to include a 3rd essay on the app, that is why you would have to send it as a separate email. Unless the essay has to do with why they want to go to Tulane, but I suspect you would have figured that out for yourself.</p>
<p>Thank you, and I’m sorry for posting twice-- I just figured I should start a separate thread and forgot to delete there-- and thank you all for responding so quickly! Yes, he’s done the Why Tulane essay in addition to the <500 word Personal Statement AND the longer essay, as many other schools tend to cap it at 1000, and writing is really a personal strength. So e-mailing to the admissions counselor, good! Do you recommend doing that substantially before the deadline, for the rest of the materials, or with them; does it make a difference?</p>
<p>I don’t know, DS said it was pretty clear on the application that there was room for a personal statement and then then Why Tulane essay, nothing more. Pretty straightforward.</p>
<p>also, because I can’t hold my tongue, this bothers me… I’m helping someone with their application and we’ve written a longer-form ~800 essay, and then a shorter form ~400 personal statement specifically for the Tulane SCEA application… But we were under the impression that both would be read, so they are complementary.
Application tutors - who would have thought? Hope that doesn’t sound too harsh but wow, totally unfamiliar with the concept.</p>
<p>TutorMiss - LOL, hardly the end of the world that you started this in two places. I just saw you were new to CC so thought it would help you for the future. As far as when to send it, I would do it at the same time he submits the application, or the day or two after. I see no benefit in waiting for the deadline, but doing it before they have his application might mean there is no place for them to put it yet, such as no folder created. Of course, if they already have his transcript and/or test scores, then a folder would have been created and you could send it any time.</p>
<p>AL34 - People advising high schoolers and parents on where to apply, how to best present the application, interview coaching, financial aid advice, etc. is a fairly substantial business.</p>
<p>Fallenchemist, thank you— you’ve been extremely helpful! I had a feeling the essay was extraneous to the Tulane App but his folks wouldn’t believe me, LOL. And thanks for defending my honor against:</p>
<p>AL34-- Well, ya learn something new every day! Hah. Actually I have just been this student’s English and then also SAT tutor for some time; this is a natural extension of that. I’m not running some insane Applications racket, so don’t worry, the kids are safe! :-)</p>
<p>^ whew!
really though, did not mean to offend, more on my side. Just when you think you have it all figured out you hear something different. Guess technically I’m DSs application tutor then :)</p>
<p>My daughter used her essay for the Common App for her Tulane personal statement. She tried REALLY hard to get it down to 500 words but just couldn’t. (The Common App essay was 625 words) I called the Admissions Office and was told that was fine… they just didn’t want everybody submitting 5 page essays.</p>