@Publisher Your type of erroneous thinking is precisely why many colleges have gone test optional. Test scores don’t determine how well a student will do in college. Shame on you for trying to shame this student into not attending Tulane. I’m not a huge fan of these spring admit programs, but OP can do the work and thrive or he wouldn’t have been accepted.
@Temperantia I don’t know about Tulane specifically but other schools with these spring programs don’t include those kids as part of the class before them or after them.
As far as SAT scores go, there could be no difference between a 1320 and a 1400. The 1400 kid might have private tutoring and have taken the test 3 times and a kid with a 1320 may have bought a book and taken the test once. A good holistic admissions process always puts SAT scores in the proper context. Tulane may have upped its average SAT score, but incoming GPA average is below the more elite schools with similar average GPAs (WUSTL, Emory, Tufts, BC, NYU, Georgetown, etc.). As such, I don’t believe OP is “out of his league”. He can do fine at Tulane.
I am not suggesting that College of Charleston, and specifically its honors college, is not a better situation for the OP. I know where @Publisher is coming from on the fall matriculation vs “spring scholars”. It is apparent that OP has some anxiety issues and starting college a full semester late could add to those anxieties. For some, these spring programs work well, but one size doesn’t fit all. My thought on sticking with Tulane relates more to the fact that OP made that decision already and that I think he can do Tulane level work and that only anxieties were holding him back. Those anxieties include worrying about making friends with the spring enrollment. Tulane had 178 in its most recent scholars and I am impressed with their admin and on boarding of students. My kid ultimately did not accept his offer of admission to Tulane, but we did come away impressed by the Tulane community.
@itsgettingreal17 : Appreciate your input, but low SAT is not the only concern; you ignore many issues such as modest GPA, affordability concerns, late start & the student’s preference for C of C Honors College. “thrive” is exaggerated speculation.
Again, my point is that the Honors College at the College of Charleston is probably the wiser choice for OP academically due to its many academic benefits. OP has a modest high school GPA & presumably could benefit from an Honors College environment.
Socially, the CofC is clearly the better option due to Tulane’s offer of late entry.
And, quite important, is the issue of affordability. Tulane will put great financial strain on OP’s family. OP & OP’s family should not have to deal with this stressful situation when a large scholarship at an affordable honors college has been presented as an option.
And, no, I am not trying to shame OP–just making observations. There is a meaningful difference between a superscored 1320 & an average SAT score of 1460 with a 25th % score of 1410. ( The College of Charleston Honors College’s average SAT score is 1345.)
OP has stated other concerns as well. New Orleans has, for example, the fourth highest murder rate in the country. Significant due to New Orleans’ checker-pattern of neighborhoods.
Important to remember that OP has expressed a strong preference for the College of Charleston Honors College over Tulane, but gave in to parental pressure seemingly based on perceived prestige.
Do we know if OP has contacted CoC to see if there is any possibility of reclaiming his/her spot (& scholarship) for Fall '19? I would imagine it’s too late unless a seat magically opened up due to someone getting off a WL eslewhere. It does sound like OP prefers & would be more comfortable at CoC. On the flip side, Tulane is a great school and there are plenty of kids who were denied who would love that spot (even for spring). That said, OP seems to have two options:
- Give Tulane a shot Spring '20. Has OP connected with other spring admits on social media? That might help.
- Decline Tulane offer and apply again to CoC, either for spring admit (if CoC offers) or Fall '20.
The reality is, many students don’t really settle in & feel comfortable at their college until sophomore year. I know for both of my kids, it was sophomore year that they hit their stride. Second guessing a decision is common. (To be honest, I still wonder sometimes what my kids’ experiences would have been like at their runner-up schools!)
All of this is speculation : Op needs to call CoC but odds are, the scholarship is gone (and perhaps the spot in honors college too).
OP hasn’t been back. Perhaps the rest of us should take a hint from him/her.
Respectfully, your stats are pretty low compared to other students at Tulane. As someone who lives in Louisiana and visits the Garden District of NOLA often, If I were you, I would worry far more about the rigor of Tulane’s curriculum than safety. It sounds like the CoC may be a better match academically for you.
@SouthernHope the same can be said for students that attend the Honors College at CofC . Charleston is a wonderful city. The Honors College offers many opportunities and support to their students. My son is a William Aiken Fellow and will graduate next year. One of his close friends was a Goldwater Scholar as a sophomore and published as a freshman . Many of his classmates chose CofC Honors over other competitive schools. Many are admitted to Ivy League grad schools, prestigious med schools and law schools. One of his classmates was accepted at Tulane and chose CofC Honors William Aiken Fellows over Tulane and has never regretted her decision. Seems like quite a few people here dismiss the rigor of CofC Honors . I can assure you that’s a mistake.
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@bigchungus Any update? Did you make a final decision or take any action?