Tulane University

Yes — Tulane is highly selective, admitting about 14.5% of applicants in the most recent cycle (roughly 4,763 offers out of nearly 33,000 applications). The admitted class is academically strong, with middle-50% SAT scores of 1430–1500 and an average high school GPA near 3.67, and Tulane draws nationally: about 85% of first-years come from outside Louisiana.

Yes — Early Decision is a major part of how Tulane admits its class. Its binding ED I and ED II rounds together received 2,077 applications and admitted 1,209, an early-round admit rate far above the roughly 14.5% overall rate. Tulane offers two binding Early Decision rounds plus a non-binding Early Action option, and 'Level of Applicant's Interest' is weighed as an important factor — so a binding ED commitment is the clearest way to signal Tulane is your first choice.

Enrolled first-year students at Tulane report an average high school GPA of about 3.67, and the class clusters near the top of its cohort — roughly 53% of those who reported class rank were in the top tenth of their graduating class. There is no hard cutoff, but rigor of your course load, class rank, and academic GPA are each weighed as very important factors.

No, you do not have to submit scores — Tulane is test-optional. Among enrolled students who did submit, the middle 50% scored 1430–1500 on the SAT and 32–34 on the ACT, but submission rates are low: only about 11% submitted SAT scores and 27% submitted the ACT. If you submit, scores are weighed as an important factor.

Yes. Tulane rates 'Level of Applicant's Interest' as an important factor in its admissions review, alongside the essay, recommendations, and character. The strongest way to show that interest is applying through one of Tulane's two binding Early Decision rounds, whose 2,077 applications and 1,209 admits show how much weight the early commitment carries.

Yes. Tulane rates the application essay as an important factor in its holistic review — the same tier as recommendations, character, and demonstrated interest, and above test scores. Volunteer work and extracurricular activities are weighed even higher (very important), so a specific, well-revised essay that ties your activities to Tulane's public-service character is a real chance to stand out.

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Business is the single most popular area at about 28% of bachelor's degrees, followed by the social sciences (16%) and the biological sciences (9%). Psychology, communication, and the health professions round out the most-conferred fields, reflecting Tulane's strengths in pre-business, pre-health, and public health.

Tuition and required fees run about $71,998 per year, with the total cost of attendance higher once on-campus housing and food (about $19,630) are added. Roughly 33% of first-years receive need-based scholarship or grant aid, with an average need-based package near $70,044, and Tulane meets about 94% of demonstrated need on average.