Updated: Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Tulane University offers classic southern charm and intellectual rigor with the unique cultural landscape that only New Orleans can offer. A strong school spirit and a singular sense of place pervade the campus at this mid-sized, private research university in New Orleans, Louisiana.
How to Get into Tulane: Table of Contents
Tulane offers a traditional admissions timeline, meaning students will apply for admission during fall term of their senior year of high school. It’s important to pay attention to Tulane’s deadlines to avoid submitting your application materials late.
Tulane University has four different application types, each with a different deadline: Early Decision I, Early Action, Early Decision II, and Regular Decision. For the 2026-27 admissions cycle, the deadlines are:
Early Decision I applicants can expect a decision by December 15. Students who apply Early Action, Early Decision II, or Regular Decision can expect to hear back by January 10, February 15, or April 1, respectively. These dates may change slightly from year to year, so it’s important to double-check the deadlines.
During the college admissions process, you will encounter early, rolling, and regular application options, though schools will differ in what they offer. Tulane offers Early Decision I and II, Early Action, and Regular Decision.
Early Decision is an early application with a binding agreement. This means you can only apply to one university Early Decision. If you are admitted to Tulane Early Decision, you agree to withdraw any other active applications and enroll at Tulane.
Early Decision II is the same binding agreement as Early Decision. The main difference is that the application deadline is later.
Early Action is an early application type that is non-binding. Applying Early Action gives applicants the chance to show their interest in Tulane early and receive their admission results early. It is a good option for students with strong grades throughout high school who feel their profile is competitive without initially submitting their first semester senior grades as part of their application. Because it is non-binding, Early Action applicants are not required to enroll and attend if they are admitted.
Regular Decision is a standard application type with a deadline typically between mid-December and mid-January.
Finally, rolling admission is when applications are accepted and reviewed on an ongoing, rolling basis. Tulane does not offer rolling admission.
The waitlist is just one of the possible admissions decisions applicants can receive — being waitlisted is neither an admission or a rejection, but rather a “maybe.” Students may choose to accept or deny a waitlist offer. If you accept your spot on the Tulane waitlist, you may be given the opportunity to enroll if space becomes available. However, the chances of being admitted off the waitlist are small — Tulane waitlisted 5,842 applicants for fall 2025 and ultimately admitted 64.
Students may receive a deferral notification after applying to Tulane Early Decision, Early Decision II, or Early Action. If you are deferred, your application will be reconsidered during the Regular Decision round. It can be hard to know what to do if you have been deferred — Tulane has specific instructions for applicants who receive a deferral notification.
Tulane asks deferred students to fill out a continued interest form, which replaces any letter of continued interest you would otherwise write and submit. Pay close attention to communications from Tulane about submitting or not submitting any additional materials or updates.
Tulane is considered a highly selective institution, as these admissions rates show:
To have a chance of gaining admission to Tulane, you should focus on developing both the hard (quantitative) and soft (qualitative) factors that will make up your applicant profile. Tulane college admissions uses the holistic review process that considers many aspects of an applicant beyond academic strengths.
Admissions officers at Tulane review each application holistically. So, what does Tulane look for? Tulane is looking for engaged, academically strong students from all walks of life who are ready to build a home for themselves in the vibrant city of New Orleans, Louisiana. Like other highly selective American institutions, Tulane is looking for specialized students who have a strong narrative of both academic and extracurricular interests and passions. Admissions officers look for students who will be positive and impactful additions to the campus community.
Visiting campus is the singular most effective way to get to know a college or university. It also shows demonstrated interest, which Tulane tracks as part of its admissions process.
Tulane offers campus tours, which start with a 30-minute information session hosted by an admissions officer, followed by a student-led tour that lasts approximately 90 minutes. Prospective students can also participate in Campus Preview Days in the fall and spring.
Speaking to a current student is one of the best ways for prospective students to learn more about the university. Students tend to give the most transparent and unfiltered assessments of their schools and of their experiences at those schools.
Tulane has several opportunities for you to meet and interact with current students while visiting campus. In addition to the student-led campus tours, Campus Preview Days in the fall and spring include student panels. During the summer, Tulane offers an app launch event where students can get tailored information about every aspect of the college application process.
Hearing firsthand about student experiences is one of the best ways to learn more about a school and find out if the school is a good fit for you. Fortunately, you have opportunities to speak to current students during campus visits. However, you can also learn more by following current students on social media and reading the student-run newspaper, “The Tulane Hullabaloo.”
Tulane requires first-year students to apply through the Common Application. This application will consist of both hard and soft factors that give the admissions committee insight into who you are — not just as a student, but as a member of your school and the broader community.
Tulane does not have official GPA requirements for admission. However, it is helpful to consider the profile of their admitted students so you can have some idea of what Tulane looks for. For example, the average GPA for students enrolled in the class of 2029 is 3.67, so you stand a better chance of admission if you maintain a high GPA.
Tulane currently has a test-optional admissions policy, but we always advise to submit your test scores if they enhance your applicant profile. So, what’s considered a good test score at Tulane? Of the students in the class of 2029 who submitted test scores, the middle 50% had a score range of 1,430-1,500 on the SAT and 32-34 on the ACT.
The personal statement is one of the most important qualitative or “soft” factors of the Common Application process and one of the best opportunities for students to introduce themselves to schools on the page, beyond the numbers. The Common App essay prompts are typically released in late February of your junior year, so you can start it before the application even opens. This is an opportunity for you to showcase the strongest elements of your narrative and tie all the threads together to make your case for admissions.
For the 2026-27 admissions cycle, Tulane does not require additional essays beyond the Common App personal statement.
Tulane requires a counselor recommendation along with a school report — a teacher recommendation is not required. If they receive recommendation letters from teachers or anyone else, they will review and include them in that student’s file. However, they are completely optional. Submitting a teacher recommendation in your Tulane application, however, may help boost your chances of admissions, as it demonstrates interest and helps the school get an even better idea of who you are both inside and outside of the classroom.
International students may be given an opportunity to participate in a Tulane interview or coffee chat. These are optional and will not impact an applicant’s chance of admission if they do not participate.
Tulane is the first private research university to implement a public service graduation requirement for its students. This is a big deal — most universities espouse the importance of service but don’t require it of their students. This requirement really shapes the ethos of Tulane as a service-focused, community-driven educational environment.
The university’s Center for Public Service makes sure that public service is an integrated part of the curriculum, offering public service internships, Peace Corps prep, and service-learning courses.
We mentioned that Tulane is competitive. So, you may be wondering how many people apply to Tulane. The university received 32,942 applications for fall 2025 admission and ultimately admitted 4,763.
| Acceptance rate | 14.46% |
| Class size | 1,838 |
| Undergraduate majors | 75 |
Located across from New Orleans’ beautiful Audubon Park, Tulane’s singularity is obvious as soon as you step foot on campus, which is steeped in a strong sense of history and place. Founded in 1884 from what was originally the Medical College of Louisiana and then the University of Louisiana, Tulane has grown up along with the city of New Orleans, developing from a smaller, regional hub to an influential and international global hub for arts, education, and beyond.
Tulane isn’t too big, with a student population of about 8,000 undergraduates. Students can get involved in any of the 300+ student organizations, allowing them to meet like-minded people and make an impact on campus.
The university also boasts the Newcomb Art Museum, which houses the world’s largest collection of Newcomb Arts and Crafts. These objects were created between the late 19th century and the mid-20th century at Newcomb College — the women’s college associated with Tulane’s College of Arts and Sciences until Tulane became coed in 1972.
One of the most beloved student traditions is Crawfest, an annual spring festival where the campus consumes over 20,000 pounds of fresh, boiled crawfish while enjoying live music. The Tulane University Marching Band is a regular participant in Mardi Gras parades, infusing New Orleans with the Green Wave spirit. The annual New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University brings authors and readers together.
The Tulane “Green Wave” isn’t just a name given to the 17 NCAA Division I teams — this sense of pride extends to intramural and club sports and includes traditions like the songs and cheers that can be heard at both sporting and university events.
What is the average SAT/ACT score for admitted students?
For the class of 2029, the middle 50% had a score range of 1,430-1,500 on the SAT and 32-34 on the ACT.
Is Tulane test optional?
Tulane is currently test optional.
Does Tulane offer Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA)?
Yes. Tulane offers both ED and EA options, with ED being binding and EA non-binding.
What GPA do I need to get into Tulane?
While there are no strict minimums for all programs, the average GPA for the class of 2029 was 3.67.
Does Tulane consider demonstrated interest?
Yes, Tulane University considers demonstrated interest in the admissions process to be important. This can include campus visits, engaging with admissions representatives, or applying Early Decision.
After reading and better understanding what it takes to gain admission to Tulane University, it’s easy to understand why families may be interested in hiring an admissions counselor.
Students who are serious about gaining admission to their top-choice school and who are ready to do the work should hire an admissions counselor. While students can manage this process on their own, working with an admissions counselor can streamline the process, taking out some of the anxiety and confusion and replacing it with guidance and reassurance. Students who are not ready to put time and effort into the process may not benefit from working with an admissions counselor.
Getting into Tulane is no easy task. Thankfully, IvyWise’s admissions experts can help you optimize your college admissions profile to increase your chances of gaining admission. Take the first step toward getting into your top-choice schools and schedule an Initial Consultation.
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