Tulane sent me their app early and I have been working on it, but I feel like now would be too early to send in an application in August–I haven’t spoken with my counselor much over the summer, I’m taking the ACT in September, etc. Tulane has sent me multiple emails encouraging me to get the application in (which I don’t mind, they’re one of my top schools) and as sent me an Official Document Request in the mail. Is there such a thing as “too early”?
Hey!
You are in the EXACT same boat that I was in when I applied! 
I say if it’s ready, send in the app. I sent mine in at the end of August. HOWEVER, what I did was I emailed my admissions counselor (Laura Meagher) and let her know that I was retaking the ACT in September. She was so helpful and said that she would put a note in my application to not review it until they received the September scores.
Also, the app technically isn’t due until November 15th (I think). So, you have plenty of time to submit your documents and get in touch with your high school counselor. I would suggest having your app completed as soon as possible though because Tulane starts sending decisions out around mid-October.
Anyway, email your admissions counselor and let them know about the September ACT because if you end up knocking that test out of the park (for example, I raised my composite by 5 points) then it could make a HUGE difference in, not only acceptance, but merit aid. I’m pretty sure that I would not have received the amount of merit that I did without my ACT score.
In conclusion, answer the “optional” section honestly, apply EA or SCEA, display lots of interest (sign up for emails, call regularly, etc.), and email your admissions counselor! Best of luck to you!
Only want to add that the advantage of having everything but your test scores in is that everything that has to be done manually will be already done by the time your test scores are available. So your file will have been initiated, any GPA recalculating Tulane does, scanning in of written documents, whatever. Then when your test scores are transmitted electronically to Tulane (I assume you will put them down as a school you want to have them sent to automatically), they will go into your file and it will show as being complete, and they will know to act on it right away.