<p>Hi, everyone! I sent in my application for Early Action to Tulane last week, and am so excited to hear my admissions decision. Just wondering what you all think my chances are for getting in. Thanks in advance!</p>
<ul>
<li><p>White, female, from MD</p></li>
<li><p>4.0 GPA UW, 4.6 GPA W</p></li>
<li><p>31 ACT</p></li>
<li><p>Class rank: 1 in 290 for my unweighted GPA (shared w/ 14 other students), 24 in 290 for weighted GPA; either way, I'm in the top 8% of my class</p></li>
<li><p>Leadership: President of forensics and debate club, editor-in-chief of yearbook, executive editor of my school's news source (all print, broadcast, & online platforms)</p></li>
<li><p>ECs: Started a newspaper in a public housing community staffed by underprivileged middle school girls who live in the community (I'm teaching them principles of journalism/refining writing skills), "Big Sister" to a girl who lived in a public housing community in a single-parent household, National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society</p></li>
<li><p>Work: Front desk person for my community pool from Memorial Day to Labor Day each summer, was a sales associate at a locally-owned pet supply store during junior year</p></li>
<li><p>APs: English Language & Composition (4), Calculus A/B (4), U.S. History, Environmental Science, English Literature & Composition, U.S. Government & Politics</p></li>
<li><p>Senior year schedule: AP Environmental Science, AP English Lit & Composition, AP U.S. Gov & Politics, French IV, Internship, Publications IV, Publications V, Journalism III</p></li>
<li><p>For my personal statement, I attached the same essay I used for the common app because it details my "background story" of my brother's addiction/death & friend's addiction. I did it for AP Lang last year & got an A++ so I think it's pretty good.</p></li>
<li><p>I believe my "Why Tulane" essay was pretty good; I wrote about something specifically I liked about Tulane that relates to my interests. </p></li>
</ul>
<p>I intend to major in Communication. Thanks again! Let me know what you think! </p>
<p>Clearly you seem like a strong candidate. I don’t see anything holding you back. Have you visited the school or attended one of the local sessions? Are you applying for one of the major scholarships? Your ACT is a little low for that, you might want to consider trying one more time to raise that to a 33 (or try the SAT to get a 2250+) if getting a full tuition scholarship is important to you. If finances are not an issue, then never mind. Personally I cannot see any reason Tulane won’t love a student like you.</p>
<p>I haven’t visited the campus (I was thinking I’d visit once I know if I’m in or not - but I have done the virtual tour and watched a bunch of YouTube videos) but I am planning on going to the local session, which is in late October. I’m applying for the Community Service Scholarship and Paul Tulane Award and think I have a decent shot at the community service scholarship since I’ve done a lot of volunteer work in my area, and am doing a unique service project right now.</p>
<p>But thank you for your response - that is so helpful! Do you think I have a shot at getting money from Tulane even if I don’t win the full scholarship/major scholarships? </p>
Absolutely. Tulane considers all applicants for merit scholarships ranging from $7500-32,000 automatically. I would think you would receive something towards the higher end of that range. Anything else would be based on need, except for the PTA, DHS or CSS.</p>
<p>FYI, if you did get the CSS ($20,000) you could add it to whatever merit scholarship Tulane gave you, up to full tuition and fees. The Paul Tulane is full tuition and fees, so clearly that is the most you would get based on merit alone. I cannot say for sure, but I think a 31 ACT might not give you a very good chance for the PTA. My understanding is that most winners of this or the DHS have scores of 33+ (or 2250+ SAT). That is why I suggest you might want to give the ACT one more shot, and/or try the SAT. Your grades are clearly outstanding, so might be in your best interest to focus on that test score.</p>
<p>Finally, while I certainly encourage you to visit campus, attending the local session is sufficient to further demonstrate your strong interest in Tulane. At least it sounds like you really do have a very strong interest.</p>
<p>Great, thank you for all the information! I didn’t think I had that great of a shot at the PTA but I thought maybe my GPA and class rank would help me out. I’ll definitely consider taking the test again though! </p>
<p>I took the SAT twice - got an 1880 and then a 2020. Personally, I like the ACT better though and my score has a higher SAT equivalent than the SAT score I actually got. </p>
<p>It would, of course, be amazing if I got the PTA, but as long as I get some decent amount of money, I’ll be happy. I really am so excited about Tulane - the more I learn about it, the more I like it </p>
<p>Thanks again for all your help - your advice has been extremely helpful! </p>
<p>I agree that given your history with the SAT, focusing on the ACT makes much more sense, if you choose to take it again at all. I know your application is in, so if your school has sent everything as well (i.e. your application is complete), you could very well hear back from Tulane soon, even by the end of the month. If you do, you will also know about merit $$ then as well, assuming you get accepted.</p>
<p>Yes, all parts of my application are submitted except my test scores! I e-mailed my admissions rep about if they want me to send both my test w/ the highest composite score AND a test I got a better science & writing score on, or if they just look at the test with the highest composite. </p>
<p>So, once I hear back from the rep, I’ll send in my scores and hopefully hear back soon! I really am so excited! </p>
<p>Thanks again for all the information! Have a great night! </p>
</p>