I tried earlier this school year to get a trip to Tulane scheduled for D17, and for several reasons it just never came together. I understand this can be important to show interest, as discussed in other threads. But, more than that, we want to make sure that it seems like a good fit. We are from the Midwest.
Here are some options under considerations:
- Travel over the summer at a time that is convenient, for us.
- Sign up for Campus Preview Days. Sounds like this is in August? Not sure of the advantage, if any, of this over regular campus visit.
- Travel in fall of senior year before EA date
- Travel after EA deadline
I’m not sure whether the school will show well in the summer heat with no students on campus. This is the easiest to schedule, but the worst in seeing what Tulane is really like.
Anyone know what dates Campus Preview Days has been in the past? What’s special about it? If this is after the start of Senior year (Aug 22 for us), then it would fall into the next category of a Fall visit.
I’m afraid if we wait until Fall prior to applying, then the crush of application season will make it too stressful and less enjoyable (planning on a Fri/Sat/Sunday trip). But, we would get ‘credit’ for showing interest.
If we wait until apps are done, we miss out on the possible bump of showing interest, and possibly end up in that high-stat deferred group (34 ACT/4.0). I don’t like the idea of applying w/o seeing.
I should add that we are one of the donut-holers chasing merit, so we are not just after an admission. But I don’t want that goal to interfere with the desire to really see Tulane in its best light, and see what it has to offer.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
@2muchquan
Certainly fall before the EA deadline is best, but you achieve the same effect as far as showing interest if you attend a local presentation. Are your near St. Louis, Chicago, Minneapolis, or some other larger city? Then you can just contact your admissions person and find out when they will be there, which accomplishes two things. You establish a line of communication with your person at Tulane, and you get credit for attending the seminar when it comes to your city. Now that isn’t to say you get as good a feel for Tulane as you would visiting in the fall, although it might be equivalent to a summer visit. But as far as showing interest, Tulane counts this as equal. They know not everyone can visit in person.
Thanks, @fallenchemist . Fortunately we are in the Chicago area. I don’t see any info sessions currently scheduled, but I looked up our rep, and will have my D email her. This would take the pressure off a fall visit. Hopefully we can fit one in anyway.
@2muchquan
I am sure the schedule for this fall has not been released yet, but there will likely be a couple of sessions in Chicago. Tulane is very popular there.
Visiting Tulane and New Orleans is always a treat anyway. Make it a mini-vacation if remotely possible, such as visiting Tulane on Friday and staying an extra day to explore the rest of Uptown and enjoy the food and music Or come down on a Saturday morning (Southwest flies from Midway to NOLA) and visit the campus on Monday, flying back that evening. FYI, October is usually lovely weather. Finally, if you do get to visit, go to the local session anyway. It is that much more impressive for showing interest and you can meet other students and parents thinking about Tulane. That’s always interesting, plus usually a few will have kids already attending/attended. So you can gather some other kinds of info.
Thanks! Yes, we will definitely make a long weekend of it @fallenchemist. Thanks for the tips.