<p>My son was accepted EA @ Tulane, but received no merit $. He received a considerable amount of merit $ at other institutions, and his Tulane Admissions Counselor advised him to appeal the merit award. He emailed a letter of appeal to the appropriate individual, and he was advised that the appeal would be determined mid-April. I was wondering if anyone has experienced a merit award appeal at Tulane. If so, what is the likelihood of success? My son has narrowed his list to three schools, including Tulane, and the other two schools offer lower price tags and attractive merit awards. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you.</p>
<p>Sounds like you have already done what you can. As far as success rates, these are impossible to speculate on. So many factors are involved that what happened in the past has no predictive value for this year. I know that isn’t satisfying, but it is the way it is. I can only tell you that in the past several people I know appealed awards, and most of them got bumps. But it has gotten harder the last year or two, or so it seems to me anyway.</p>
<p>I wish him the best of luck. Let us know what happens.</p>
<p>Thank you! I appreciate all of your informative replies on this forum. I had my son read your Tulane vs. American University thread (circa 2011) on the way to the airport this morning. He was flying solo to do the Admitted Students Overnight at American. I thought that the AU/Tulane discussion/debate would give him some perspective. We visited American when he was a rising Junior about two year ago, and he liked it. Now, he wants to make sure that it’s a good fit socially (he’s not certain because he wants Greek life, and that’s not as strong at American as it is at Tulane or the University of Denver). He’s itching to make his final decision, and has all but ruled out Tulane due to cost. Hopefully, we’ll hear back about the merit appeal soon so he can make an informed decision.</p>
<p>Even more confused now about American after my son’s overnight (see link below). Hoping to hear from Tulane regarding merit appeal soon.
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/american-university/1636190-high-transfer-rate.html?new=1”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/american-university/1636190-high-transfer-rate.html?new=1</a></p>
<p>ireneb American the ONE school we did not visit that we are seriously considering for son. What are you confused about after the overnight. We are trying to get my son there in April but with his schedule, it’s almost impossible.</p>
<p>Never mind ireneb went to your link. </p>
<p>@ireneb, my daughter is also deciding between American and Tulane. We got much more money at American and it is so much closer to home that we are all really leaning that way but I too have been concerned by the lackluster student reports at American and your post really bothered me. That said, I do think it has a lot to do with the lack of big sports and thus school spirit there. D isn’t into sports - neither playing nor watching, so probably isn’t as big a deal to her, but it would be tough to be at a school with many unhappy people, so I’m hoping she’ll have a better experience on her overnight there.
I work with a young intern whose roommate transferred out from American. According to the intern, the girl transferred because she wanted to play field hockey but since the school she transferred to is a very small, very christian school in a suburb, I’m thinking American wasn’t a good fit overall for her.</p>
<p>In 2010 my son received a merit award from American and a smaller one from Tulane. After a call to his Tulane admissions counselor saying he was considering the better offer from American, Tulane beat American’s offer. He graduates this May from Tulane. </p>
<p>It is an interesting situation at American. Of course I cannot say why the retention rate is that low and going lower. Tulane certainly is a contrast to that situation, though, Their freshman retention rate has been inching up, and I know they would like to get it to about 95%. IMO that might not be possible for Tulane. I think there are some inherent factors in the makeup of the student body that make that a tough goal. 93% seems more realistic to me. But I sure would like for them to prove me wrong!</p>
<p>A friend’s son is as AU and loves it. He really wanted to be at school in Washington, DC, is very committed to working somehow in government or international relations, and that is certainly a great town to be in for all that. My S1 was admitted to GWU, and it was his 2nd choice after Tulane (similar scholarship offers), but he ultimately decided that NOLA was a better fit for him. </p>
<p>My D just heard some great news. Her formal appeal for merit $ was successful! She received an Academic Achievement Award upon going through the formal appeal process. To make a long-story short, after months of informal requests and appeals with her ad counselor and other officials, it was ultimately decided by Tulane she go through the formal appeals process. At that point, we have all but given up hope, but Tulane came through!! She seemed to be in a very unique situation however, as she was admitted EA only days before her ACT scores arrived; so a very solid score wasn’t taken into consideration at that time and I’m sure ultimately was the deciding factor. She has a very difficult decision to make now. Just yesterday we visited U of Miami and she loved it for some of the same reasons as Tulane, and some very different. The difference in Merit $/cost now is negligible between the two, so basically the choice will be completely hers. Personally, I hope she decides on Tulane.</p>
<p>@IonNola - Congrats to her! It is a tough decision. I still think Tulane has more overlap with Miami regarding applicants than any other school, except probably LSU. Although given that Tulane has more students from California and New York now, at least in this last freshman class, maybe Berkeley or UCLA overlap as much. Anyway, that is great for her to have the choice, but it would be a shame to have put in that much effort to get the bump in merit and not use it, lol. Let us know what she decides.</p>
<p>@IonNola - Congrats to your D! Can you tell me how she was notified regarding the outcome of her appeal? Thank you.</p>
<p>Thats wonderful!! So happy for your daughter!</p>
<p>Thanks FC. We visited Tulane back in October. UM is fresh on her mind and she is really excited about it, although she is very happy Tulane came through. She has a trip planned next week to USD more out of curiosity because they offered her a really generous scholarship but it’s a distant 3rd choice at this point. Time may be better served to make another visit to NOLA instead at this stage of the game. I’m not too crazy about all the time and effort being for naught either but the decision will ultimately be hers. I guess a 17 year old may not look at it that way.</p>
<p>Ireneb - There has been a lot of correspondence with her admissions counselor and she was notified by a phone call. Also told a letter is on the way. </p>
<p>Thanks so much ireneb and dolphnlvr6. Hope everything works out for your son as well reneb. Good luck</p>
<p>Congratulations!! We went to look at Miami recently and my d really liked the school. Heart is with Tulane though. Now We are waiting to find out about her merit appeal. Sounds like it is all
Good stuff for your d</p>
<p>@IonNola - Is your D’s merit award reflected on Gibson, or just in the letter she received?</p>
<p>@ireneb, I think I remember you and your son are or were at Tulane this past week. Since my D too has American and Tulane as her first choices, I’ve been dying to hear of your experiences and your son’s thoughts, if you don’t mind sharing.
If I’ve gotten the dates wrong and you’ve not yet visited, feel free to ignore this:-)</p>
<p>@myjanda, You have a great memory–we visited Tulane on Thursday and S felt very comfortable there. If S knew 100% that he wanted a career in politics, public policy, or international relations, he would pick American without hesitation. However, as most high school seniors, he is not 100% certain with respect to his career choice (let alone his lunch choice). Having said that, American definitely makes more sense financially. Hopefully, Tulane will come through with the merit appeal.</p>