I was recently deferred from Tulane and I’m really confused as to why. I have a 102 GPA, I’m 15/369, I have a 33 ACT, and a 2140 SAT. I’m director of my schools musical along with a bunch of extra curriculars, I’m a member of three different honor societies, an active volunteer, and I had a really strong essay/ recommendations. Any thoughts? 
You weren’t denied, so you clearly met the criteria for admission - cold comfort, I know. So the only answer can be that the school is waiting to see who else applies RD before making a final decision on your application. It may be that they are trying to shape the class in a particular way and aren’t sure yet how that is going to work out this year - and whether you are a ‘fit’ in that respect. The rest is just speculation on our part.
To try to get off the ‘deferred list,’ prepare an update to send later this school year which includes any new honors, awards, and achievements. Since you applied ED, they already know they are your first choice.
Then focus on the other schools to which you are applying. One deferral isn’t a trend.
@caitlyn1237 I know Tulane cares about yield and applicants that show a demonstrated interest. Did you visit the school or attend any admissions function/open house with a Tulane rep at your school or in your region? Did your Why Tulane essay demonstrate your knowledge of the university and particular program you are interested in and why it would be a good fit? Your gpa is excellent, but did you take a rigorous course schedule during your three years in high school and this year as well? Did you take mostly honors courses? Did you take at least several AP exams? Would you likely be full pay (ie., do not qualify for need-based aid)? If you answered no to any of my questions, that could explain why you were deferred.
lol the same thing happened to me, and i have a very similar ranking and good scores like you…
i guess they thought they were just considered a safety school by us, though they definitely weren’t
Did you show interest in the school? If not the may have perceived that you just wanted Tulane as a safety.
Take a look at this link, which has some advice for applicants who have been deferred: http://tuadmissionjeff.blogspot.com/2011/12/ive-been-deferred-now-what.html
@trackmbe3 I’ve taken 7 AP Classes, and several honors, unfortunately I live in NY so visiting is not an option, and they didn’t have a rep come to my school I feel like that’s out of my hands, so it’s not entirely fair for them to take that into consideration?
OP, try asking your high school college counselor (if they’re not entirely swamped with work at this point) if they’ve been hearing from others in your class who applied to Tulane. Also, how did students from last year with similar stats as yours do with admissions to Tulane?
Also, post this on the CC Tulane forum to see if anyone has additional insight. Your interests and ECs seem like a natural match for the school, so I agree that it’s odd.
If Tulane ends up being your top choice, or if it would be a top contender, or if you are looking for merit money, there are ways to communicate that interest to the admissions office. Ask the Tulane forumites!
I really don’t think that lack of interest accounts for OP’s deferral. As much as Tulane care about yield, isn’t ED the perfect indicator that OP will (or must) matriculate if accepted? IMHO, ED application itself shows interest.
Regardless, there are other ways to show interest without physically visit or talk to recruiter. You can always send the admissioner an e-mail to introduce yourself and your interest in the school. F&M advised me to do so, although it is not my top choice.
EA, not binding.
They did send reps to various hotel conference places around NY for kids that couldn’t travel. You can simply email your keen interest, if indeed it is one of your to choices.
Tulane offers both EA and SCEA, not ED.
Of these two options, Tulane considers SCEA as showing a higher level of interest than applying EA. If the OP applied EA (not SCEA) and did not otherwise show interest, then it is not surprising that s/he did not get admitted.
i also applied to tulane but still haven’t received a decision. i was wondering if you could help me out and tell me if you get an email saying that you were deferred? i haven’t received anything but in gibson it now says that i’ll get my decision by april 1…
^ You should get an e-mail from Tulane saying that you were deferred, and will be put into the pool with the RD applicants.
Did you apply EA? Perhaps the e-mail is in a spam folder?