Tulane was founded as The Medical College of Louisiana in 1834, training doctors to tackle illnesses like cholera and yellow fever. If you appreciate creating innovative results and finding your own path, Tulane might be the perfect place for you. However, due to its excellence, securing admission can be challenging. Keep reading as we look at why Tulane’s acceptance rate is so low and how you can improve your odds of getting in.
What is Tulane University Known For?
Tulane is a private research university known for fostering innovation and exploration. The institute is a part of the Associate of American Universities, an elite group of top-ranking research universities. But wait, it gets better. It has been home to several successful entertainers, engineers, political figures, and even Costa Rica’s president. Its medicinal service culture has produced alumni like Micheal E. DeBakey, who is called “the father of modern cardiovascular surgery.”
The admissions process is highly competitive, prioritizing a student’s GPA, class rank, standardized test scores, and high school course rigor Tulane provides students with the resources and mentorship they require to become scholars themselves and embraces every individual’s ideas and differences. It embodies richness and resilience, surrounded by the New Orleans culture.
With the campus covering around 110 acres in an urban setting, it is one of America’s most flexible research institutions. It holds different research centers and has five different schools, offering more than 75 majors and minors, such as architecture, liberal arts, engineering, business, and public health.
Tulane has been at the forefront of ground-breaking research for many years. The Tulane community is transformative and extraordinary, helping students navigate possibilities and experiences.
How Hard is it to Get Into Tulane?
Tulane admitted 8.4% of applicants for its Class of 2026, meaning that the admission is rigorous. Why is Tulane’s acceptance rate so low, you might ask? It is ranked #1 in Louisiana, and the admissions team looks for students with stellar academic and extracurricular achievements.
The university’s goal is to build a community, so every applicant is reviewed by considering how they’ll shape it to become more vibrant and strong with each passing year. Admission decisions are never made on a single piece of information and depend on the aspects and attributes that make a student unique. This is how Tulane builds classes of increasing diversity and academic strength.
What Contributes to Tulane’s Low Acceptance Rate?
Since Tulane has started giving more financial aid packages, many students apply here to get the best value for their education, and there are only so many seats they can fill. Additionally, a low acceptance rate is often related to exclusivity and prestige, and Tulane’s low acceptance rate showcases its rising popularity and reputation.
The Early Decision model created by the institution entails that most of their slots are filled by students who apply through this option. Early Decision is binding, meaning it guarantees an entire class and the money attached. This way, Tulane doesn’t have to worry about its yield rate and has its entire system figured out.
How to Get Into Tulane: What are the Admission Requirements?
Tulane considers certain aspects of the admission process very important; in this section, we’ll look at what they are.
Tulane’s Average GPA Requirements
The university typically requires students to have a GPA of 3.56 or higher. It would be best if you are around average in your high school courses, maintaining a mix of A’s and B’s with almost no C’s. If you have a lower GPA than the one mentioned above, consider compensating with more challenging courses (IB or AP classes). This boosts your weighted GPA and ensures that you are ready to tackle college classes.
One of the main reasons colleges increase their selectivity is to increase prestige, so an excellent GPA will only increase your chances of getting in. We understand it’s hard to change your GPA if you’re already a junior or senior in high school. You can compensate for a lower GPA by aiming for high ACT or SAT scores, helping you compete with other applicants with higher GPAs.
Tulane’s SAT and ACT Requirements
Some schools require the ACT or SAT, while others make it optional. Tulane University asks applicants to take one of the two tests to apply, and you will need to perform well. The average SAT score stands at 1420 for Tulane- the 75th percentile SAT score is 1490, and the 25th percentile SAT score is 1350. The latter places you below average, while the former will move you above average.
On the other hand, the average ACT score is 32, with 33 being the 75th percentile score and 30 marking the 25th percentile score. Although Tulane states they don’t have a minimum ACT requirement, a score of 30 or below is unlikely to help you secure admission. Still, don’t give up hope because an impressive application can do wonders.
We recommend taking the ACT rather than the SAT because you can decide which tests to send. The catch is that even if you give the ACT 10 times, you only have to send your highest one. In contrast, most schools require that you send them all the SATs you’ve ever taken. Focus on improving your ACT score until it is 33 or above to give your application the edge it needs.
Tulane’s Extracurricular Requirements
When it comes to extracurriculars, your best bet is to indulge in activities that align with Tulane University’s core values. For example, if the institution heavily values music, try participating in a related organization. You can also join a sports team, school band, or any other group activity.
Since selecting students who act as the school’s ambassadors is one of Tulane’s main objectives, volunteering will take you a long way. New Orleans offers various ways to give back to the community- all you have to do is look in the right places.
Spend a summer or two experimenting with activities that speak to your personal growth, leadership qualities, values, and other characteristics. The institution wants to see more than just you meeting the Tulane SAT requirements or taking college-level courses- it needs to figure out the value you’ll add to its community. Your experiences should portray that you are more than test scores and grades.
Tulane’s Supplemental Essays
If you want to give your application an edge, we recommend answering the three optional supplemental essays Tulane offers. The first essay is centered around why you want to attend the university, the second covers your extracurricular activities and the third is about diverse perspectives.
These essays are an excellent way to tell your story and highlight the aspects of yourself you couldn’t detail in the rest of your application. Tulane’s Interviews
You can opt for a coffee chat (less formal) or an interview (more formal) with a Tulane community member, but it is not a mandatory part of the admissions process. However, this is a great way to experience the university’s culture while adding a deep, personal touch to your application.
Even if you are unable to schedule an interview, don’t worry! Interviews are not deciding factors in the admission decision; not having one won’t put you at a disadvantage. You may sign up for a coffee chat or an interview, as you can’t participate in both.
There are video, phone, zoom, and in-person interviews, each requiring preparation and post-interview reflection, so don’t forget to research and practice beforehand.
3 Tips to Increase Your Chances of Getting Accepted Into Tulane
By implementing the following practices, you can compile a strong application and improve your chances of securing admission:
Apply Early Decision
Tulane gives the option of Early Action, Early Decision, and Regular Decision deadlines. Note that the university sometimes announces an Early Decision-two option in late fall but it’s not written in stone. Consider applying before Tulane’s early decision deadline if it’s your first choice and you have the finances to attend.
As you know, Early Decision is binding and requires a full commitment to attend. While changes can happen at any time, let’s think of the only ED option as Tulane’s early decision deadline. Tulane’s early decision acceptance rate is much higher than the regular one, and the college prefers those who apply through it. If you can get everything sorted for your application early enough, this process will increase your chances of getting in.
In the case that you miss this deadline, you can always apply for Early Action. Applying Early Action will enable you to get an earlier admission notification than the Regular Decision will, and your application will be reviewed before the huddled masses of Tulane applicants.
Upload Your Extracurricular Resume
The activities page in the Common Application follows a one-size-fits-all format, due to which many talented applicants can’t detail the breadth and depth of their extracurricular accomplishments throughout high school. Thankfully, Tulane offers applicants the opportunity to upload an extensive, unabridged extracurricular resume as a supplement. We advise not to leave this section blank and to elaborate on your hobbies and interests.
Mention the activities that didn’t make the cut on the page where you enter Common App activities. That said, don’t just use some random structure or format to include your resume. The information you convey should be meaningful, show the effort you’ve put in and why you’ve done so.
Ensure Your Essays are Eye-Catching
Once all the testing standards and academic thresholds have been met, you should focus on your essays because they help you stand out from other applicants. Sure, anyone can hold a spotless academic transcript, but how you view the world and conduct professional and personal matters is unique.
As you already know, Tulane offers an optional essay supplement that you should answer. Share parts of your characteristics, interests, and personality you haven’t mentioned elsewhere in your application and highlight how the institution will benefit from your being there. Tell them ‘Why Tulane’ and make it compelling.
Why Should You Apply to Tulane?
There are several benefits of studying at Tulane:
- The learning experience is one-of-a-kind both inside and outside of the classroom
- You will be uniquely prepared to tackle challenges in the real world
- New Orleans is truly an international city and is home to several lakes and rivers
- It’s motto is ‘Work Hard, Play Hard,’ making it easy to balance your academic and social life
- Most of its programs are prestigious and highly ranked
- Tulane’s aid packages are very generous, and you can opt for a merit-based scholarship or need-based aid
Wrapping Things Up: Why is Tulane’s Acceptance Rate so Low?
Why is Tulane so hard to get into? What GPA do you need to get into Tulane? These questions and more plague the minds of most students who are thinking of adding the college to their list, and the guide we have provided above answers all of them. If you are considering Tulane as your first option, ensure your grades and test scores meet the set standard. Additionally, don’t hold back from letting your personality shine, and let the admissions team know why they should accept you.
Now that you have a clearer picture of how to get into Tulane, it’s time to start working on your application.
Looking to understand why some universities rank higher or lower than others? Explore our guides below:
> Why is Barnard’s Ranking so Low?
> Why is Berklee’s Acceptance Rate so High?
> Why is Colby College’s Acceptance Rate so Low?
> Why is RIT’s Acceptance Rate So High?
> Why is SDSU’s Acceptance Rate so Low?
