<p>ansley - We kind of went through this already in your other thread <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/tulane-university/843615-please-help-me-understand.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/tulane-university/843615-please-help-me-understand.html</a>
I don’t think much has changed, other than the reality that Tulane got 44,000 applications and they are seeing the strongest class ever most likely. Clearly though, it isn’t just Tulane as you also got deferred by U Maryland. Did you ever show a strong interest in Tulane? I don’t mean the essay, that is required and so doesn’t show the kind of interest a visit or attending a local event does. As a URM with great test scores and recently strong grades (How did your first semester this year turn out?), if you had demonstrated any interest rather than so obviously considering Tulane a “safety”, you would have gotten in.</p>
<p>But let me ask you this. You are in at Vandy, right? If Tulane accepted you, would you go or is Vandy (or someone else) your real choice anyway? If the latter is correct, then Tulane was right, you didn’t really have interest. If the former is right, then you have to tell them that in no uncertain terms. In that case you should talk to your admissions counselor personally and say “I know I didn’t make this clear to Tulane, but even though I have been accepted to Vanderbilt if Tulane saw fit to accept me, I would definitely attend”. Then be prepared to say why you would go to Tulane over Vandy. But again, if that isn’t true, then Tulane’s assumption/perception about you was correct and they made the right decision. By waitlisting you rather than rejecting you, they are giving you a chance to clear up any misperception they might have. What’s wrong with that?</p>
<p>Ansley,
Congrats on the Vandy scholarship ! That is a very prestigious scholarship and you should be proud. </p>
<p>I agree with FC. Each school uses different criteria, or looks at the data from its own perspective in its admissions process. I am guessing that, although your GPA showed an upward trend, the rough start you had in fresh/soph year were probably variables that led to your WL status at Tulane and UMD. If there was a way to predict how things would turn out int he application process, this would be an easier time for studnets and parents!! </p>
<p>I understand how you feel. In my day, a gazillion yeras ago, I applied to 3 schools – an Ivy, a top 20 LAC and my safety. I got into the Ivy and LAC, was waitlisted at my safety. I guess some things don’t change…</p>
<p>I may have missed this response in a thread elsewhere, but for those who are getting wait-listed, I’m curious if you filled out the optional essay on your application? I’m wondering if that part was omitted, if that set the “more serious about going to Tulane” applicants apart from those who “appeared” to have pressed submit only because it was easy and free, feeding into the notion that you maybe weren’t as committed to Tulane as applicants giving it 100%… Just a thought.</p>
<p>At recent admitted students’ event Tulane’s president said that if they so desired they could enroll a class where the average SAT was nearly 2300 (it will be over 2000). He said they chose not to, and instead looked for indications in the application that suggested the applicant would be a good fit for Tulane with a particular emphases on community service. It is hard to say how those criteria are articulated, but perhaps this may explain some of the disparity.</p>
<p>Indeed, idad. Although I am a bit surprised at the 2300 statement; that seems a bit exaggerated to me. But who am I to question President Cowen?? But whether he was stretching a bit to make a point or being literal, the meaning is the same and very true. It is great to hear, I for one think it does make Tulane a better school than just working to enroll all the highest test scores.</p>
<p>nj_mom, I may be in the minority, but I’m almost confident I was not waitlisted because of lack of interest. I’ve attended local receptions and visited campus, I submitted the essay on my personal app, along with an additional, and then ANOTHER additional. I’ve been in regular contact with my adcom, who knows how much I would love to attend Tulane. </p>
<p>I was deferred then waitlisted with a 3.5/2140. I truly believe my GPA was to blame. In the grand scheme of things, it’s not low, but if the application pool is more competitive than ever, it is on the lower end. It also may have something to do with a lack of community service. I do enjoy it and am looking to become more involved, but while I did have some recorded on my resume, it was not much. </p>
<p>Anyway, that might have been a lot of rambling, but I just wanted to state that the wait list isn’t TOTALLY comprised of a bunch of really high stat students who were using Tulane as their safety.</p>
<p>Accepted early decision with a full ride to Vanderbilt but waitlisted at Tulane. Guess they knew I got accepted to Vandy and gave the spot to someone who actually wanted it. </p>
<p>Got waitlisted as well–but was accepted to the U of WA which is ranked higher than Tulane and actually has better programs. Haha, the irony of it all. I turned in that application that says you’ll get the decision in a couple of weeks. It took them 6 months. That kind of shows that they’re sending those out to pump up their admission percentage to keep their ranking in the top 50.</p>
<p>S2 got his decision in about 3 weeks after all material was received. It was about the same for UW, while I see on their board many kids did not hear for quite awhile. It is mystery why some take so long and others don’t.</p>
<p>Bruised egos are funny things. I am actually somewhat sympathetic, but it really represents in most cases a misunderstanding of the admissions process. But as harvardgator says, they should be very happy with their admissions to great schools and just move on. Although I feel absurdly compelled to say there is nothing “ironic” about being accepted by a higher ranked school while being waitlisted by a lower ranked one. People sure do misuse that word a lot.</p>
<p>And a safety isnt a safety if you don’t get in. No school with a 25% acceptance rate or less is a safety for anyone (unless they are guaranteed admission like some LA residents)</p>
<p>I was excited to see that I was waitlisted at Tulane, because I knew it would be a long shot if I got accepted. I am from Northern California, I have a 3.3 GPA, however, spent a week in NOLA helping to rebuild houses, I visited Tulane and LOVED it. Other than that I have not had a lot of contact with Tulane – because I thought my chances were slim. But now, I am going to make sure they know it would be a dream come true. </p>
<p>One major problem I have though, it that my parents cannot afford the tuition and room/board. I know a great deal of students received aid of one type or another, however, I was told only need based aid would be offered. Crossing my fingers!!! Go Green Wave!!!</p>
<p>I love your enthusiasm jocko! Just remember if it doesn’t work out now, you can try for a transfer later. I know that isn’t ideal, but at least it is something to keep in mind.</p>
<p>D got waitlisted at Tulane but we never got an e-mail. So am not sure how I go about accepting the waitlist. Anybody have a link I can access? We just found out by chance when we checked her Gibson account. The only thing I can think of is that it went in Junkmail and got deleted before we checked it.</p>