Tulane sees record number of applications

Information Courtesy Earl Retif

Approximately 44,000 students applied to Tulane this year, one of the highest numbers among private institutions in the country.

Though it is clear that Tulane received one of the largest numbers of applications in the country, it is not official whether Tulane has received the very most.

“It appears that we have the most applications for the upcoming fall semester of any private university in the country,” Public Relations Director Mike Strecker said, “Everything we’ve seen indicated that, but it’s not something we can definitively say.”

According to a tally of the most selective private universities on nytimes.com, Duke received 26,770 applicants, Emory University received 15,549; Cornell University received 36,337; and Stanford received 32,022. Tulane did not appear on the list. Vanderbilt University’s office of admissions said it received approximately 22,000 applicants.

Associate Director of Admission Jeff Schiffman said that Tulane’s free application may have attracted many students.

“We have a lot of students that didn’t really consider Tulane until they got the free application via e-mail,” Schiffman said.

The free application, however, serves as only one of many factors, Schiffman said.

“Another reason is that extra interest in public and community service,” Schiffman said.

Green Wave Ambassador Alex Bernadett said the prospective students he meets are primarily interested in Tulane’s commitment to community service and academics.

“The prospective students were talking a lot about academics in the tours, so I think that’s a sign that people are treating Tulane more as an academic institution than a place to come and party,” Bernadett said.

Though prospective students have said that the free application was an incentive, it was not the primary motivation for many applicants, Bernadett said.

“The free application is not as talked about as you would think, but there are parents who bring it up, especially the ones who are more financially oriented,” he said.

Kelsey Trimmer, a high school senior from Pennsylvania, said that she decided to apply because her sister attends Tulane and likes it. She recently visited the campus.

“I pretty much planned on applying anyway, but [the application] being free did not hurt,” Trimmer said.

Trimmer said she thinks that Tulane is known for its generous scholarships, great education and happy students.

“Word just got out and everybody wants to be part of it,” Trimmer said.

Bernadett said that many prospective students are surprised by the culture of Tulane and New Orleans when they come to visit campus.

“They realize that Tulane and New Orleans in general is a lot more than Hurricane Katrina and Bourbon Street,” Bernadett said. “They’re blown away by how much culture there is — all the different neighborhoods. As far as Tulane goes, they didn’t expect the campus feel of it. It’s part of the city, but not built into the city. You have your own campus when you’re at Tulane.”