<p>Okay - I was checking phone messages last night and discovered that my DD had received a call from a young lady (senior at Tulane) in the Admissions Office congratulating her on being accepted to Tulane. We haven't received anything in the mail and my daughter had not been (too) compulsively checking Gibson - so she didn't even know she was accepted. Needless to say, she was thrilled. Has anyone else gotten such a nice, personal treatment? After we checked the home phone, DD discovered they had also called her cell phone (while she was doing homework and left the same nice message inviting her to call back with any Admissions questions).</p>
<p>I know a student in Mass that got a similar call. He wasn’t home so his mom chatted up the very pleasant Tulane student, who in this case was a sophomore.</p>
<p>So…is there any special significance - or just lucky? We think she’s wonderful(my DD that is), but…still waiting to see how wonderful Tulane thinks she is.</p>
<p>I honestly don’t know if there is a selection criteria as to who they call for follow-up inquiries. I know this Mass student was awarded the Presidential ($32K), so obviously a top student. Tulane is also his first choice, I believe, and I think he made that pretty clear to them. Let us know when you see her merit offer, assuming there is one.</p>
<p>Thanks. I’ll certainly let you know. She applied SCEA and wrote a very creative Why Tulane essay, as well as having good (but not perfect) stats. We haven’t visited yet - but she attended a regional session here. We’ll wait to see what comes in the mail. I appreciate the response (as well as all the other responses you give. You’re right up there with M2CK on the Bama board - DD’s other current option, with scholarship in her pocket and an older brother as a Freshman )</p>
<p>My daughter found out she was accepted when she checked on Gipson Monday evening. Not 10 minutes later the phone rang and it was that nice young lady from Admissions to congratulate her. We did visit back in April and she did indicate Tulane is one of her top choices. No letter yet, so not sure how a call correlates with merit aid offers.</p>
<p>S got a call from a Tulane student who is majoring in the same subject my S will. The call came more than a week after his acceptance. We thought it was a nice touch!</p>
<p>It doesn’t correlate to any merit aid. My son got such a call after being accepted, but it’s a mixed blessing. Without some merit aid most of us will have a lot of trouble here, and he sort of felt that call rubbed it in a bit. Though I agree it’s meant as a very positive thing.</p>
<p>Well, the envelope finally came today. $27,000 (Distinguished scholar?) award. Nice but…it’s sort of no-man’s land. From what I understand, it’s just outside the “pool” of likely DHS and Tulane possibles and probably isn’t quite enough for us to be able to afford Tulane. Classic middle class dilemma. 1 DS in college now, 2 more behind her - 1 of whom will be in college at the same time. Finances are definitely important. I’m still encouraging DD to submit for the scholarships, since she has the essays about done and has been working on the project. Doesn’t hurt to try, but she knows the chances are slim to none. She’s happy/sad about things. Not sure whether a visit will happen. </p>
<p>I also strongly encourage you to go for need based aid. With one in college already, you might get more than you think you will. And as I am sure you know since you have one at university already, that FA might contain grants that don’t need to be paid back. What the heck, right? Still, will keep fingers crossed for the full tuition, cause you never know. Have seen it happen. There is also the Community Service Scholarship, the application for which is not due until January 15. $20,000 which can be added to the $27,000. Just some food for thought.</p>
<p>But I couldn’t agree more that finances are crucial. I think taking on more than minimal debt to attend college is always a mistake.</p>
<p>Hi everyone, for those getting nervous (as we were) I wanted to give a little hope. My son applied in early October, and his application was compete in early October. He logged on earlier today and was thrilled to see the status change to “congratulations!” His stats are lower (3.3, 1990 SATs, 1 AP) than those I have been reading about on CC. However, typically Tulane accepts a lot of kids from my son’s high school - it is a very competitive school, which probably makes a big difference. My son did visit, completed the Why Tulane essay, and he did make it clear that it is his top choice. Some others at his HS heard before him, and some, who probably have higher stats than he does, have yet to hear. I do not know when any of them applied or when their applications were complete. I hope this helps some of you worry a bit less. </p>
<p>@VAmomof4, we are in the same boat. Our daughter happily received her letter last night saying she was also receiving the Distinguished Scholar award! We are very grateful. However, we have one child in college already and will need to qualify for quite a bit of aid in order for Tulane to really happen for her. We will continue with the scholarship applications and FAFSA and PROFILE and see what we can make happen.</p>
<p>That’s great news. We’re still scratching our heads as to why my son did not get any merit aid, but it may also be due to the fact that this HS is very popular with Tulane, so they may not see the need to induce as many students. Having said that, it was his first choice. There are the other merit scholarships for which he can apply, and he will, but I am also bracing him for the overwhelming likelihood that these will not pan out either, and that he has many other public school choices that are just as good, such as Penn State. But I will say as a Tulane grad myself, this situation has changed me from an ardent Tulane supporter to someone who is at best likely to become disinterested. </p>
)</p>