<p>You're right. It's not beneath Tulane.</p>
<p>i agree it's not beneath tulane either. however, you must admit that the fee waiver is not meaningless. obviously there is a reason why tulane has been waiving the fee since after katrina. it's away of enticing students to apply by making the cost of applying to tulane virtually nothing (no fee, essay(extra time), etc.). this is why tulane has had larger applicant pools since katrina because tulane has eliminated the cost of applying- not becuase it has become a more attractive school by any means (which is what the school will lead you to believe). if the school was becoming more attractive, tulane would milk out the application fees if it could, but it can't. schools that are truely attractive or prestigious would never have to do this since there are so many people who truly want to go or apply that the fallout of applicants after a fee still leaves a large applicant pool. a no fee system is really a bad thing if you think about, because many of the applicants just apply for the heck of it since there is no cost to them, and therefore you get a lot the students who aren't very serious.
doing this is also a cheap shot way of trying to appear more selective.</p>
<p>Both my D and S applied for fall admission 2004, and 2005 respectively and were offered a free Personal Application PRIOR to Katrina.</p>
<p>This is not a new policy there.</p>
<p>By the way, just like roamingcook's S, both my D & S applied because they figured "why not?". They were both accepted and ended up doing a visit to check it out. It ended up #2 on D's list (of 10) and #1 on S's (out of 6). S is a junior there now and wouldn't consider being anywhere else, in spite of Katrina and his missed first semester.</p>
<p>Nor is it new to many other places competing for strong students. It's just a matter of when and how the institutions extend the offer of a waived app fee. And in the case of a Tulane where not only was the app pool enhanced, but so was the frosh class with a lot of really great students. So the point would seem to be, if the space is there, and it has been, why not fill it with great students even if a great many are discounted by a $50 app fee. </p>
<p>Seems like a very shrewd move and one that is apparently baring ... or bearing ... never could remember that one ... big time fruit in a very high risk situation. While it obviously grates on some who think it's dirty pool, the proof of its success in a variety of ways seems to be revealing itself. </p>
<p>Those folks might claim the same "foul" of Davidson and now others feeling the pressure to change it up, who are meeting financial aid without any loan. The stakes ... or is it steaks ... never can remember that either ... are going up, and Tulane's outright waiver of a minor fee to get high quality applicants is just one of them. But again, it surely seems to be working. Just look at the small sample on this thread ... It does get one's attention, does it not?</p>
<p>like i have said before curiouser tulane DID offer the personal app before katrina, yes. however then the app was offered to a few "select" students (namely qualified, pre -screened students that tulane wanted to apply), now the app is offered to EVERYONE. i think offering something to everyone as opposed to a small minority constitutes a change of policy.</p>
<p>as you have illustrated with your children this whole thing is a manner of attracting students to the school (it apparently worked effectively in their case). my earlier post and this one are trying to show, contrary to what whistle pig said, that a fee waiver can be an indicator in the attractiveness of a school, and that the fact that tulane is doing this does mean something. i am arguing that it is a negative indicator of how well the school is doing (that it has to offer a free application to even lure students to apply). you guys are arguing from a different angle and i agree with your argument although it does not disprove mine. you guys are essentially arguing that this fee waiver works in its goal, and it most certainly does (as i have witnessed personally, since i initally had no interest at all, then applied and ended up going). this does not mean that tulane is attracting this kids just for being TULANE, in most cases its because tulane lures them to apply and then gives them a ton of scholarship money.</p>
<p>which there is nothing wrong with that if it ensures the functionality of the school. however, it does mean that tulane is no longer an elite school since elite schools don't do this kind of thing so often and in so many cases, namely because they don't have to.</p>
<p>I don't believe that is the ultimate definition of "elite." Can you explain a bit more, pls.?</p>
<p>My dd received the same letter which indicated she was being invited to apply (for free) based on her academic record and test scores. Like many others she wasn't even considering Tulane, but figured - why not? She did apply Sunday night online and we were floored Monday evening when she received a call from a vice-president of Tulane thanking her for making her application to their school. He also said she appeared by her application to be the type of student that would fit in nicely at Tulane. This was a personal call - not computer generated. Does every prospective student that applies through the personal free app get this type of treatment? I'm quite curious about this. Please respond if your situation is similar.</p>
<p>Hmmm... I got the same call tonight. He was a VP in charge of something admissions-related, right? He said that the admissions folks wanted to see all my stuff w/in ten days. I told him it would probably be more like three weeks (just administrative garbage from guidance; I've already turned in the forms), and he gave me a fax number so everything could get in faster. Naturally, I was surprised to get the call as well. The official on the phone really sounded like he was in earnest.</p>
<p>By the way, skibird, what do your daughter's stats look like? Did anybody else receive a call like this one? It would be nice to figure out who they're calling and whatever criteria might be involved. My interest has definitely been piqued.</p>
<p>Just to get the ball rolling, here are some of my relevant stats:
SAT: 1510/2310
Nat'l Merit semifinalist
3.9+ GPA
(other stuff is on my profile)</p>
<p>I got the personal application email. I was slightly considering Tulane before I got it and since then I've done some research and it looks pretty cool. All I need to do is have one of the 4 essays I've had to do for other schools approved by my English teacher and guidance counselor and put it into the text box.</p>
<p>I'm a pretty strong canditate for admission and merit money at Tulane, and am also looking at some programs which are more prestigious than TU (UT Plan II, Rice, Stanford) but if I get a full ride to TU I will certainly consider it strongly.</p>
<p>My stats are:
SAT: 1550/2350
SAT Subject Tests in Lit, Math II, Bio, and Latin in October and December
3 5s on APs, 6 more classes this year
National Merit Semifinalist and projected National Hispanic Scholar
Texas U17 All-Star for Rugby</p>
<p>I think my heart skipped a beat when I read that I was one of the more "selective candidates". After perusing some of the responses, I think my initial impression has simmered into doubt. If anyone could answer a few questions for me, it'd be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>1) Why does Tulane even bother accepting the Common Application? Because both the personal application AND common application are accessible by the public, the obvious choice is go with the former, which has a myriad of advantages. I mean, the essay is enough to detract anyone from choosing the later, right?</p>
<p>2) When they (they being Tulane) say "no new essay", that means there isn't a required essay, right? I'm simply playing this off of assumptions at the moment, but a cursory glance at their application says "No essay" on the left panel.</p>
<p>3) Tulane is certainly one of the colleges I'm considering, but I was ardently hoping to get into Honors Program. The site/blog isn't descriptive, and insinuates that admission into the honor college is made at their discretion, with "standardized test scores" the only factor they consider when admitting freshman applicants. Can anyone shed some light on this? oO</p>
<p>Theloneranger - after reading your response, I've been burning to know something: I thought the personal application disparaged submitting essays? Why would you want to submit one among the 4 you have?</p>
<p>Phew. Thanks for taking the time to scroll down this far.</p>
<p>Some info for those doing Personal Application -- when you get a reply from Tulane regarding admission from personal application you will also get notified of merit money, but if you are looking for full ride $$ be sure to fill out the paperwork necessary for that. Look for "Deans Honor Scholarship". I believe the additional paperwork last year had a deadline of Dec 15th for that... </p>
<p>If you have good SAT/ACT scores they will also invite you into the Honors program, either with acceptance letter or shortly afterwards via separate letter. You will know well in advance of Apr 1st if you are chosen for Honors program.</p>
<p>When did the "personal application" emails arrive?</p>
<p>Couple weeks ago. Clearly these were IDed via some kind of screening of SATs, ACTs, or maybe the Princeton Review? Anyone know></p>
<p>Hmmm-
I am a bit disappointed that my s didn't get on- his SATs and PSATs were really strong. Bummer.</p>
<p>jym ... perhaps you should call them and ask. These are not sacred cows or things not to discuss. What they clearly desire is ... strong applicant candidates. If your son fits, they'd probably be thrilled to have him and to know that you are sufficiently interested to ask.</p>
<p>Too long we've viewed these application processes as fragile, don't ask or intrude unless they ask events. I'd give it a call. It cannot damage anything. This is like buying a car. A VERY EXPENSIVE ride ...</p>
<p>Thanks- you don't think it would be too bold to ask directly?</p>
<p>I don't. This is just business. They are aggressively seeking good students. If your son's one of those, well ...</p>
<p>I'd be gentle, go at it left-handedly. "Good morning, is it possible to talk with the individual who can share information about your "personal application" procedure?" ...</p>
<p>then, say, I hope I'm not asking about something I shouldn't, and if so please feel free to tell me so ... but my son has heard about a special program you have for .....</p>
<p>You get it.</p>
<p>I think it might be better for him to send an email to teh admissions office from his email account, asking if he would be considered for this personal invitation. Hope that isnt too bold.</p>
<p>jym626, I personally know a mother who told the admissions office that her son would not attend unless his DSA was converted to a DHS. It was. Don't worry about being "too bold." Just ask for what you want. All they can say is no, and that's not going to happen if he's qualified. But it's good if he speaks for himself.</p>