As just reported on their official Instagram page, Tulane is removing the “Why Tulane?” supplement essay for the 2026-2027 cycle:
Interesting that just about every comment about that on instagram reflects disappointment that it is being eliminated.
Would not be surprised if it was because they found that the level of applicant’s interest expressed in that essay did not have enough correlation to yield rate of similarly (over)qualified admits to justify the time reading that essay. I.e. applicants for whom Tulane is not a top choice have gotten good enough at expressing high levels of interest in that essay that it is no longer that meaningful.
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But unless they are changing back to a different acceptance strategy, a large percent of Tulane admits are coming via ED applications. So those students already show “demonstrated interest” by applying ED. And IMO, Tulane’s admissions strategy shift has led to a yield rate of about 45%. Several schools have taken a very large percent of their incoming class via ED, so this isn’t just true for Tulane. And I don’t personally thin Tulane is still a “Tufts syndrome” school. Maybe they want to make it easier to apply, and will look for other methods of demonstrated interest (which has always been important to Tulane. ) @Mashinations what are your thoughts?
Well something’s up with admissions strategies for next year. UGA is eliminating supplemental essays.
“ After a review of the last few years of essay responses and our review process, we will only be requiring the personal essay for 2027 and we will not have a second essay, as we believe the one essay response gives us what we need in our evaluation process. We hope that this decision takes some stress out of the admissions process for both students and parents, and we look forward to reading your applications (and great essays) next year”
To start, I am skeptical of test optional schools that are also taking the majority of their applicants ED. This admissions strategy usually means they do not feel they can compete well vs perceived peer schools in regular admission. Eliminating the “Why” essay is only done for one reason… they feel they will receive a greater number of applications if they make things even easier for students.
I hear of more and more parents who are catching on to these manipulated admissions tactics. While colleges think they are pulling one over on families with extra low admit rates, in reality, they are participating in a race to the bottom. We may never see the “very end” of the story, but I think schools with this type of enrollment strategy will eventually struggle.
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I’m in agreement with you and with @ucbalumnus statement that they’ve likely done some statistical analysis that suggests little correlation to how that question is completed and if the student ultimately attends.
Note that on one of their Instagram posts (possibly FB too?) they also list…
Test scores will now be required for admission to the Pathways to Medicine Program.
For students seeking academic merit scholarships, test scores are preferred.
Students with a score of 1300+ (SAT) or 28+ (ACT) are encouraged to submit scores
AP exam scores of 4 or 5 will strengthen an application
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