Recently, I was Guaranteed Transfer to Tulane if I go to another school for my Freshman year and earn a 3.0 GPA or higher. I was also just accepted to Loyola New Orleans and given a very good scholarship which would help me financially.
I was just wondering, from people who attend Tulane or know the area and schools, if going to Loyola for my Freshman year and then transferring into Tulane seems like a good idea. I know the campuses are close together, I just want to make sure I can make friends and get to know the city, because as a transfer student I don’t want to be left out.
I think that sounds like a terrific idea! We toured both campuses and it seems like there is quite a bit of crossover between the two, socially and academically. How did you end up with a guaranteed transfer? I didn’t know they did that.
Yes, the schools are next to each other, and there is some crossover for classes and dining. That said, is your Loyola scholarship need or merit based? Do you have an idea if you will be able to afford Tulane?
Does Guaranteed Transfer mean you have to commit now to going to Tulane after Freshman year and a 3.0? I’m guessing no, but I’m not familiar with how that works. Assuming you like both schools, you are in a good situation. You can go to Loyola freshman year, and you may end up loving it there and choosing to stay. Or you might get a taste of what Tulane has to offer and want to transfer, but it’ll be entirely up to you, and finances of course.
You will get a good feel for New Orleans and all that is has to offer on either campus. They are literally right next to each other. There are some clubs and groups that do interact – Loyola is smaller school so if they don’t have a certain club or course offering, they can join Tulane’s (marching band is an example).
The proximity of each campus is literally right next door, 20 steps apart. The first time we visited we took an Uber. He dropped us off in front of the Loyola sign and I said, “Oh I’m sorry, I wanted to go to Tulane and not Loyola”. He pointed to the building next to it and I felt really stupid, but I’m guessing this has happened before.
I didn’t know that Tulane offers guaranteed transfer. It seems strange that it would allow a student to go anywhere (regardless of how rigorous the college might be?) and then transfer in with just a 3.0 (regardless of how easy the classes are for that first year?) I’d recommend you talk to someone at Tulane to verify this guaranteed transfer offer, because it doesn’t seem right. But back to your question, Loyola NOLA is a pretty good college, as I’ve had siblings and several friends go there. My off campus roommates also went there. Not as rigorous as Tulane, so a 3.0 shouldn’t be too difficult. They draw more of their students from NOLA as compared to Tulane, and Loyola has more commuters so it feels different from Tulane. Overall student body at Tulane has much higher stats than Loyola.
@murray93 Awesome, thank you so much! I also wasn’t aware they did that, but I think they just keep it tight-lipped. Or maybe it’s their first year doing it, I’m not sure. Either way, Tulane is my dream school, so I am definitely intending on transferring.
@jym626 Thanks so much for your reply! I am not the best when it comes to scores or grades, but I believe going to Loyola for a year would allow me to earn better grades, which would help with merit scholarships!
@AH1310 It doesn’t mean I have to commit, it just means I am showing them my interest to go, but I’m not locked into a decision! Thank you so much for the info on both schools, it really helps me with my decision!
@Watch37 I emailed the transfer department at Tulane and they verified it, so it’s real. I wasn’t sure of what it was, but apparently a lot of colleges do it, but keep it lowkey. I definitely intend on intending Loyola and transferring, it seems like a good way to ease into college, especially in NOLA.
