Tulane Freeman photo

Tulane Admits Most of Its Class Through Early Decision

Tulane University has admitted nearly two-thirds of its students through early decision alone.

The university received nearly 46,000 applicants and admitted only 8.4% of applicants. The Class of 2026 is Tulane’s most selective, diverse, largest, and most academically qualified class in school history, Inside Higher Ed reports. The average SAT score for Tulane’s newest class is between 1410-1500 with average ACT score falling between 31-34. Nearly 30% of the entering class identifies as Black, Indigenous, or people of Color (BIPOC).

“We had a bumpy start this admission year with Hurricane Ida, causing Tulane to be closed for several weeks,” Bailey Gabrish, Senior Admission Counselor at Tulane University, says. “During the shutdown, we were still able to hit the road and meet students both virtually and in-person, kicking off the cycle which would ultimately result in our most selective, most diverse, and academically strongest class to date. We are so honored to welcome the students who have chosen to become a part of the Tulane family.”

TWO-THIRDS OF APPLICANTS ADMITTED THROUGH EARLY DECISION

Tulane first launched early decision in 2016. Since then, the early decision route has been popular amongst applicants looking to secure a spot at the university. This year, nearly two-thirds of admitted applicants applied via early decision. For regular decision, Tulane admitted only 106 applicants.

When compared to other colleges, Tulane’s early decision admit rate is high. At Brown University, 896 students were admitted early this year, out of a total admitted class of 2,546 students. At Yale University, 800 applicants were admitted though early action—making up less than half of the admitted class, according to Inside Higher Ed.

But some experts say that while early decision may be enticing to applicants, the policies actually end up hurting minority applicants.

“Research has found that early-decision policies can come at the expense of student diversity,” Mamie Voight, president and CEO of the Institute for Higher Education Policy, tells Inside Higher Ed. “To benefit from early decision, students need to have access to guidance that counsels them about early application options and supports them through an early application process.” Most low-income students don’t have that access.

Sources: Inside Higher Ed, Tulane University