Obviously it would be ideal to have both excellent SAT scores and a high GPA. A classmate and myself are both applying to Tulane. She has high SAT scores (2200) and I have decent scores (2040). However, I know she has a lower GPA than me and has demonstrated less interest in Tulane- I have visited the campus and been emailing with the admissions rep, and I know for a fact that she has not visited campus, which is not required obviously but is something they value. There are only 60 in my class so they probably won’t take every person that applies. I am worried that if they had to choose between me and her, they would choose her. I don’t have time to take another SAT and I have already taken it three times- scoring 1960 in March, 2040 in May, and 1970 in the most recent October test- I really don’t think it would improve anyway.
I understand that some universities have reputations for limiting the number of students they take from the same high schools. Tulane makes a point of saying they don’t do that. I know of one excellent suburban Chicago high school that had something like 25 accepted one year and about 8 chose Tulane. My numbers might be off a little, but definitely correct in the general idea. So you are not competing with your classmate.
In general, I think Tulane is quite balanced between GPA (and throw in rigor of schedule to that) and SAT/ACT scores. Interest is certainly important. Your SAT is fine, 2040 is a very good score. Is that also your best if you super score?
Based on that very limited info, you sound like a good candidate, @oonaquinn.
My daughter is also from a small high school (100 in her graduating class) . Each year Tulane accepts many students. There are 5 attending from last years graduating class and 3 from the year before. I would not be concerned about your classmate, just make your application shine, include a great “Why Tulane?” essay and you should be a good candidate. Good luck!