How to get into Tulane University of Louisiana
How to get into Tulane: demonstrated interest is the differentiator
14%
Acceptance rate
$68,678
In-state cost
What makes Tulane University of Louisiana admissions different
Tulane became hyperselective post-Katrina by aggressively driving up app volume. Admit rate is now ~13%. They publicly track demonstrated interest more than almost any peer school — visits, emails, info sessions, and ED status weigh heavily. A strong student who didn't show interest can lose to a slightly weaker one who did.
What an actually competitive application looks like
- 1.
Sign up for Tulane's mailing list, take a campus tour or virtual session, open their emails. They track all of it.
- 2.
Apply Early Decision if Tulane is your clear top choice — the admit rate bump is substantial.
- 3.
Use the 'Why Tulane' supplement to name New Orleans-specific opportunities (TIDES, Public Service grad requirement, NOLA internship pipeline).
- 4.
Strong test scores still help. Tulane is test-optional but submitters fare measurably better at the top.
- 5.
Apply for merit scholarships separately — the Distinguished Scholars Award is automatic with admission for top applicants.
Common mistakes that hurt applicants here
- ✕
Applying RD with no demonstrated interest. Tulane is famous for waitlisting/denying strong RD applicants who never engaged.
- ✕
Treating the 'Why Tulane' supplement as a Why-NOLA essay. They want to know why Tulane's academic program.
- ✕
Skipping the optional video introduction. It's optional but used.
The specifics for Tulane University of Louisiana
Application deadlines
- Early Decision INovember 1
- Early ActionNovember 15
- Early Decision IIJanuary 8
- Regular DecisionJanuary 15
What makes this admissions process distinctive
Demonstrated interest tracking
Tulane explicitly considers demonstrated interest; visits, emails, info sessions are tracked
Public Service graduation requirement
All undergraduates complete a public service component as part of graduation requirements
What graduates actually do
Tulane graduates enter healthcare, consulting, finance, and public service. The School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine drives a distinctive pipeline into global health (~10% of grads enter public health within a year). Median 1-year earnings ~$60k. About 25% head to grad school within a year. Top employers include Ochsner Health, Deloitte, the City of New Orleans, and various national consulting firms.
Notable alumni
- Jerry Springer — Talk show host (Law)
- Newt Gingrich — Former US Speaker (PhD History)
- David Filo — Co-founder, Yahoo!
- Howell Heflin — Former US Senator
- Lauren Sanchez — Journalist, philanthropist
Transfer pathway
40% transfer acceptance rate
Tulane is moderately transfer-friendly, admitting roughly 200-400 transfers per year from around 600-1,000 applicants. Applicants must complete at least 24 transferable credits. Transfer deadlines: November 1 (spring) and April 1 (fall). No formal articulation agreements with community colleges.
Specifics verified 2026-05-18 from the school's own admissions page + Common App (supplements re-verified this pass). Always confirm current-year details directly on the school site before applying.
If you're on the bubble
Tulane ED is the single biggest admissions lever for borderline applicants. ED admit rate runs around 25-35% vs. mid-single-digits RD. If Tulane is genuinely your top choice, ED is the play.
Next steps
Last updated: November 2025. Acceptance rate and cost data refreshed nightly from college reporting.