<p>I am applying to Tulane, and I am wondering if anyone knows how Tulane decides whether someone receives merit aid? Would you say it is mostly on numbers (SAT, GPA), essays, ECs?</p>
<p>Mostly on numbers, but the other factors help push the award. Having top test scores and GPA get the highest awards, naturally, while having one of those two areas be superior will still often get something. So for example, someone just reported that they got $20,000 merit with a 4.0 GPA but “only” a 28 ACT. I think the award might have been bumped up some because the rest of this student’s resume was outstanding as well. But everything I have seen for 5+ years indicates it is largely stats driven.</p>
<p>Thanks for replying fallenchemist!
Do you know whether Tulane recalculates GPA? I’m not sure what my unweighted GPA is, my school only calculates weighted. I have 4 B+ (fresh,soph year) 3 A-, and the rest As. I’ve taken all honors and APs, so the low grades were not in easy courses. I have a 2340 SAT, some good ECs with leadership, and a job (20+ hrs/wk). Obviously you’re not an admissions rep from Tulane so you can’t know for sure, but what do you think my chances are in terms of merit based aid?</p>
<p>They do base things on a 4.0 scale, so I believe they recalculate so they are looking at everyone on the same basis. Of course they take into account the AP and honors courses you have challenged yourself with. BTW, a B+ is not a low grade, LOL.</p>
<p>Your GPA UW will be quite high. I don’t have my spreadsheet that calculates normalized GPA with me at the moment, but I am guessing 3.85-3.925. Something like that. So that along with your outstanding SAT score would not only qualify you for merit aid, but for the top award of $27,000 per year. In addition, you would be an excellent candidate for the full tuition scholarships. That is assuming that the rest of your record is good, but the stats are easily there. Send me a private message if you want more info. Or you can do it here. Up to you. But to qualify for those full tuition awards, you have to apply EA or SCEA and fill out a separate application.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for all of this information!
I did see on their website those scholarships, and I plan on applying for them, but I am a bit confused by the Dean’s Scholarship assignment with the box. The description of what is expected is not very clear. Do you know anything about this part of the scholarship application?</p>
<p>LOL, yes I do. The instructions are intentionally terse. It is all about your creativity. Do a search here at CC on the Tulane forum for DHS and you will see some helpful threads from past years. Also on YouTube you can find some submissions.</p>
<p>Try that and if you still have questions, come on back.</p>
<p>Seeking advice:
35 ACT (already sent), would sending SAT Subject (Math 2, 780; Physics, 770) be helpful for scholarship consideration or is it not necessary?
Priority application was in at the end of Sept and we still have not heard back!!</p>
<p>It certainly wouldn’t hurt to send them, but probably not necessary. Have you checked Gibson (the application status link from the Admissions page) to see if your application shows complete? I would do that first and then call if you have any additional questions.</p>
<p>Application is complete since the first day Gibson went online. We’ve called our admission counselor and she told us she has until December to let us know (could have swore that they promised two weeks turn around).</p>