tulane essay prompts 2022

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Tulane Supplemental Essays 2024-25 – Prompts & Advice

August 7, 2024

If you blinked at some point during the 2010s, you may have missed Tulane’s meteoric rise in selectivity that resulted in a 13% acceptance rate for the Class of 2028. However, today, this mid-size private research university in New Orleans is among the most selective schools in the country. The average incoming freshman possesses 99th percentile standardized test scores and a strong academic transcript. This brings us to the topic of this blog — the Tulane supplemental essays for 2024-25.

(Want to learn more about How to Get Into Tulane? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get Into Tulane University: Admissions Data and Strategies  for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

When applying to an institution like Tulane that rejects nine of every ten applicants, you’ll need to put maximum effort into every area of the application, including the supplemental essay. Below is Tulane University’s supplemental prompt for the 2024-25 admissions cycle along with our advice for composing a winning essay.

Tulane Supplemental Essay 2024-25

Describe why you are interested in joining the Tulane community. Consider your experiences, talents, and values to illustrate what you would contribute to the Tulane community if admitted.

This statement should be 250 words at most; however, it is neither necessary nor expected that you reach this maximum length. We strongly encourage you to focus on content and efficiency rather than word count. While submitting this prompt is optional, we recommend that all applicants do so.

Tulane is inviting you to share more about your experiences, talents, and/or values through the lens of how that will impact your experience at the university. Take note of the wide-open nature of this prompt. You are essentially invited to talk about any of the following topics:

• A perspective/value you hold
• An experience/challenge you had
• A community you belong to
• Your cultural background
• Your religious background
• Your family background
• Your sexual orientation or gender identity
• A particular talent/skill

Although this prompt’s open floor plan may feel daunting, a good tactic is to first consider what has already been communicated within your Common App personal statement and activities list. What important aspect(s) of yourself have not been shared (or sufficiently discussed)?

Tulane Supplemental Essays (Continued)

You’ll then need to discuss how your experiences, talents, and/or values will influence your distinct contributions to Tulane’s community. Further, you’ll need to explain why you’re interested in joining that community in particular. We’d recommend being as specific as possible.

For example, given your visual arts background, perhaps you’re excited about contributing to and learning within Tulane’s thriving arts scene, including the NOLA Through Visual Culture interdisciplinary experience course and Tulane Art Club . Or, perhaps your experience fighting food insecurity in your community has made you interested in Tulane’s Food Recovery Network, and you hope to contribute to Tulane’s community service-centric culture and values .

To that end, be sure you address how you will take advantage of Tulane’s immense resources both inside and/or outside of the classroom by citing specific academic programs , professors , research opportunities , service learning , study abroad programs , student-run organizations , etc.

How important are the Tulane supplemental essays?

Tulane lists four factors as being “very important” to the admissions committee: GPA, standardized test scores, class rank, and the rigor of your secondary school record. The Common App and supplemental essays are “important”.

Want personalized assistance?

Interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your Tulane supplemental essays? We encourage you to get a quote  today.

Looking for additional writing resources? You might consider checking out the following:

• Common App Essay Prompts
• 10 Instructive Common App Essay Examples
• College Application Essay Topics to Avoid
• How to Quickly Format Your Common App Essay
• Should I Complete Optional College Essays?
• How to Brainstorm a College Essay
• 25 Inspiring College Essay Topics
• “Why This College?” Essay Examples
• How to Write the Community Essay
• College Essay

Dave Bergman

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Tulane Essay Guide: 2022-2023

Tulane essay guide quick facts:.

• Tulane acceptance rate : 10% — U.S. News ranks Tulane as a highly competitive school.
• In U.S. News list of National Universities Tulane University ranking is #44.
• Common App essay
• 2 (50-500 words) optional essays
• 1 (250-word) extracurricular essay
• Tulane application note: Students can apply via the Common App or Tulane’s online application .
• #1 Tulane Essay Tip: Though each Tulane supplemental essay is “optional,” think of them as required. We recommend giving yourself plenty of time to answer each Tulane supplemental essay comprehensively and thoughtfully in order to stand out to Tulane admissions. 

What are Tulane’s supplemental essays?

Each Tulane essay for the 2022-2023 application cycle is posted on the Common App site . The Tulane supplemental essays asks you to discuss your experiences, background, and reasons for applying to Tulane.

Think of the Tulane supplemental essays as an opportunity to show the admissions committee who you are beyond what you already wrote in your Common App personal statement . Successful Tulane essays will present a clear, cohesive, yet dynamic picture of who you are.

Tulane Supplemental Essay Requirements

Your Common App essay is a key part of your Tulane application. Tulane requires students to respond to the Common App essay prompt essays. 

Beyond the Common App essay, you’ll find three Tulane supplemental essays that are all optional this year. However, we recommend that you complete each Tulane supplemental essay to maximize your Tulane admissions odds, especially given the low Tulane University acceptance rate. Think of each Tulane essay prompt as a required part of the Tulane supplemental materials. 

Remember, Tulane also receives your personal statement submitted through the Common App or the online Tulane application. This means that you will submit your Tulane essays as well as your Common App essay.

Need some help writing your Common App essay? Get great tips from our Common App essay guide .

How many essays are required for Tulane?

There are three optional Tulane essays. This year, each Tulane supplemental essay is technically optional. However, hopeful applicants should consider them all required. One Tulane essay prompt asks you to write a “Why Tulane” essay, another asks you to discuss your diverse perspective, and the third asks you to elaborate on an extracurricular experience.

In short, students are only required to complete the Common App essay in their Tulane application; all three supplemental essays are optional.

In addition, consider each “optional” Tulane essay a vital part of the Tulane supplemental materials. Tulane admissions is extremely selective. Hopeful applicants should think of every Tulane supplemental essay as an opportunity to impress Tulane admissions. While each Tulane essay isn’t technically a part of the Tulane application requirements, they still can make a huge difference in the Tulane admissions process. 

The Tulane University acceptance rate is relatively low (just 10%), so each Tulane essay can help you stand out . With so many hopeful applicants, you need to do everything possible to present yourself as a dynamic, serious, and motivated student. Competitive applicants will treat each Tulane essay as a required and important part of the Tulane application process. 

Tulane essay #1: “Why Tulane” Essay 

Please describe why you are interested in attending tulane university (up to 500 words)..

This Why Tulane essay is a classic type of essay. You may wonder whether you should write the Why Tulane essay since it’s listed as optional. However, if you are serious about being admitted, you should consider the Why Tulane essay a required part of your application. The word limit is as vague as it gets, so we recommend 300-500 words. Your Why Tulane essay will be more effective if it is focused and concise instead of long and rambling.

An effective Why Tulane essay will think beyond the Tulane University acceptance rate and Tulane University ranking. Though these factors feel important, they do not ultimately relate to your application. When answering this Why Tulane essay, don’t just write about why you want to attend Tulane. Think of this Why Tulane essay as a “why fit” essay. Your college experience is a two-way street; you will both contribute to and benefit from the Tulane community.

Successful Tulane supplemental essays will reflect the mission and key values of the school—a strong research institution with a tight-knit campus community and small class sizes. In your Tulane essays, capture the essence of Tulane’s demanding academics and community engagement.

Service-oriented

If you are committed to serving others, Tulane is an excellent place for you—and this “Why Tulane” essay is a perfect opportunity to discuss your commitment. The school has many opportunities to explore service learning courses , service research projects , and service abroad .

When writing your Why Tulane essay, be specific about classes you want to take, research opportunities you want to pursue, clubs you want to join, and places you want to serve. Successful Tulane supplemental essays will take these a step further, however. Don’t just name-drop. Instead, connect them to your experiences and goals.

Strong “Why Tulane” essays will incorporate some or all of the following questions: How and why will you choose to spend your time at Tulane? In what ways will your involvement help you pursue your major ? How will the ways you spend your time light up your curiosity to learn? How will they spur you forward in your career? In your Why Tulane essay, describe specifically how Tulane’s offerings will help you succeed.

Make it personal

Avoid cliché phrases, generalizing, and overly emotional appeals. Don’t discuss traditions that are too well-known or frequently written about, either. Instead, make it personal. Perhaps you attended a campus tour that left an impression on you or you attended a webinar that inspired you to apply. Mention these specific and personal connections to Tulane in your essay. What put Tulane at the top of your college list ?

This essay prompt is so broad that you have lots of freedom. Make sure to discuss both academic and non-academic reasons for applying to Tulane. No one expects you to have your future fully planned when writing the Why Tulane essay. However, the admissions team does want to see that you can articulate a genuine plan based on your interests and goals.

For each Tulane essay, brainstorm , research, outline, draft, and proofread before submitting. Your Tulane essays should represent your best content and writing ability.

Tulane Essay Reflection Questions:

• Does your essay highlight why you would succeed at Tulane specifically?
• Is your Why Tulane essay both specific and personal?
• Does your essay “show” instead of “tell” through vivid details?
• Do you clearly and concisely write your response to the Why Tulane essay prompt?

Tulane Essay # 2: Diverse perspectives essay

Tulane values the lessons gained from pursuing an education alongside a student body that represents a wide range of experiences and perspectives and is reflective of our multicultural world. if you would like to share a perspective related to your family, cultural group, sexual or gender identity, religious group, or some other aspect that has shaped your identity, please do so here. (up to 500 words).

This Tulane essay prompt, like the Tulane why school essay, is also optional. However, we strongly recommend that you complete it to maximize your chances against the lower-than-average Tulane acceptance rate. 

By explaining a specific perspective that has shaped your background , your response to this Tulane essay prompt will enhance your application. The prompt provides several suggestions for perspectives—family, cultural group, sexual or gender identity, or religious group—but also allows for others.

Does something on this list resonate with your identity? What makes you stand out among your peers? Do you have a special hobby or interest? Are you soon to be a first-generation college student ? Did you take a meaningful gap year ? What else have you not shared about yourself with Tulane? Ultimately, how can your response to this Tulane essay prompt illuminate who you are?

Since there are only three Tulane supplemental essays, you’re bound to have some part of your identity you haven’t yet shared with admissions. Rather than thinking of this Tulane essay prompt as another box to check, think of it as another opportunity to show the admissions committee who you are. Successful Tulane supplemental essays will delve into diverse perspectives you haven’t discussed elsewhere in your application.

When answering this Tulane essay prompt, you may have trouble being personal and specific when others share your identity. The most effective Tulane essays will make a broader identity unique to you by telling a compelling story and detailing how your identity has impacted your own life.

• Does your response to the Tulane essay prompt highlight something that you have not discussed elsewhere on your application?
• Is your Tulane supplemental essay personal and specific?
• Do you tell a compelling story about who you are for this Tulane essay prompt?

Tulane Essay #3: Extracurricular essay

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (250 words).

Choosing a topic for this Tulane essay prompt can feel overwhelming. Brainstorm several ideas before selecting one. Most strong Tulane applicants will have many options to choose from when responding to this Tulane essay prompt.

The most successful Tulane supplemental essays will be well-written and unique. You don’t have to write about the activity that you are most involved in, especially if you already discussed that activity in your Common App personal statement . Just make sure that the activity you choose matters to you.

Focus on impact

Effective Tulane essays will discuss why you chose to get involved in your activity or work experience , how you have dedicated yourself to it, and how this activity has impacted your community, growth, and character. As you address these questions, focus primarily on impact. What did you do, why did you do it, and what was the result? Choose the experience where you have made the biggest difference when writing your Tulane supplemental essays.

This Tulane essay prompt is quite straightforward but like some of the other Tulane essays it is very broad. You have the freedom to tell your story to the admissions committee. The best Tulane supplemental essays will either focus on one experience—one conversation, one interaction, one day—or discuss your involvement in an activity over time. The more detail you can provide, the stronger your response to this Tulane essay prompt will be.

Tell your story

When answering this Tulane essay prompt (and all others), be vivid in your storytelling. Instead of just stating what happened in your Tulane supplemental essays, use specific examples and descriptions. Be vivid without being wordy—successful Tulane supplemental essays will be concise. You only have 250 words, so don’t be too long-winded when answering this Tulane essay prompt.

Most importantly, include the “So what?” in your Tulane supplemental essays. While you should outline what you did, you should spend most of your Tulane essay describing why your actions mattered. What skills can you highlight? How did your mindset shift? What values does this activity reveal about who you are? Ultimately, why did you choose to tell this story instead of another?

• Is your response to this Tulane essay prompt original and personal?
• Did you select a topic that is interesting and important to you?
• Does your Tulane essay focus on your growth, skills, and values?
• Do you avoid repeating content that has already been discussed in your Tulane application?

How do I write the Tulane supplemental essays?

The admissions team evaluates your Tulane supplemental essays for both content and writing ability. So, what you choose to write about for your Tulane essays matters as much as your writing skill. Proofread your Tulane essays for all grammatical and syntactical errors. Finally, remember to review your essay for the message it sends to the admissions committee.

With three Tulane supplemental essays, you have plenty of freedom to explore different parts of your identity. Consider your application as a whole package. Each of your Tulane supplemental essays should provide a new and deeper window into who you are.

It may feel overwhelming to complete three Tulane supplemental essays. However, if you give yourself adequate time to plan, draft, and revise your Tulane essays, you can eliminate much of the stress in the application process. 

Additional tips for “Why School” essays

The why school essay is one of the most common types of essays that you will see during the college application process. The why school essay basically asks students to elaborate on why they want to attend that specific university. In a why school essay, students should be specific. 

In a why school essay, you can talk about the Tulane-specific programs that have caught your interest. Or you could discuss what clubs you would get involved in on campus. Alternatively, you may want to incorporate specific values and missions of the university. How do you personally resonate with that mission? What will you gain from attending that school? And what would you bring to its campus? 

Top 4 tips for writing a great “Why School” essay: 

#1 – brainstorm.

For each school that requires a why school essay, start by looking at the specific offerings. Write down what you like and would participate in. 

#2 – Demonstrate your passion

Use your brainstorming list to decide what you want to write about. You should talk about the programs or extracurriculars unique to your school that most excite you. What makes you want to apply?

#3 – The more detail the better

Remember that being general or vague in a why school essay is the kiss of death. It won’t impress Tulane admissions, or any other admissions committee. Elaborate on what interests you (unique to that school) and why. You can also mention specific professors, counselors, etc. 

#4 – Demonstrate “fit”

You want to use your why school essay to say what makes you want to attend, but you also need to show that you would be a great fit for the university. Why should you be selected out of the large pool of applicants trying to impress Tulane admissions? What will you bring to campus? And how will you carry your Tulane education into the future?

How important are Tulane’s supplemental essays?

The Tulane acceptance rate is just 10%. The slim Tulane acceptance rate comes from the school’s widespread acclaim. Given the low Tulane acceptance rate, the high Tulane University ranking, and the school’s holistic admissions approach, your Tulane essays can make a major difference. Your essays can strongly influence your admissions results and your chances at beating low acceptance rates .

You should approach each of the three Tulane supplemental essays with thought and care. In your response to each Tulane essay prompt, you have an opportunity to highlight different aspects of your Tulane application. Consider each Tulane essay as another one of the Tulane application requirements. 

There are several key elements of your application that you must submit in addition to your Tulane supplemental essays in order to meet the Tulane application requirements. Read the complete checklist to make sure you have everything you need. You’ll notice that Tulane admissions has gone test optional another year. This makes your essays even more important. While many students will have impressive test scores, GPAs, etc., you should use your Tulane essays to help you stand out from the pack.

Check out these college essay examples to see what makes a successful college essay. 

Five tips to make your Tulane essays stand out

Writing each Tulane essay may seem overwhelming. You may even be tempted to not add them to your Tulane supplemental materials as they technically aren’t part of the Tulane application requirements. However, that would be a huge mistake when it comes to your admissions odds. Competitive Tulane applicants need to consider each Tulane essay as “required.”

Five more tips for your Tulane supplemental essays: 

#1 – start early.

Give yourself ample time to complete each Tulane essay. In your writing process, leave plenty of time to brainstorm, draft, outline, and edit your Tulane supplemental essays. The Regular Decision deadline for Tulane is on January 15th.

#2 – Be authentic

Make it your goal to write unique and compelling Tulane essays that tell your authentic story. Your Tulane essay shouldn’t be able to pass as anyone else’s. Before submitting, reread your application and proofread your Tulane supplemental essays to make sure it truly shows who you are.

#3 – Show passion

Each Tulane essay should show your passion for the school. Don’t fake it. After brainstorming topics, choose to write on what got you genuinely excited about attending. Be sure to be specific and not vague in each Tulane essay. 

#4 – Ignore stats

When writing each Tulane essay, don’t get hung up on factors like the Tulane University acceptance rate or the Tulane University ranking. At the end of the day, focus on why Tulane is the school for you, and use your application to show the admissions team why.

# 5 – Invest time in the Why Tulane essay

The why school essay is extremely important to Tulane admissions when evaluating applicants. Make sure your application shows that you’re genuinely interested in attending Tulane. Even if the Tulane University ranking initially helped you learn about the school, you should focus on Tulane’s specific offerings in your Tulane supplemental essays

Tulane Supplemental Essays — Final Thoughts

In your Tulane supplemental essays, show the admissions committee who you are as a person, student, and community member. Research Tulane so you can write the most tailored and specific Tulane supplemental essays. Choose topics for each Tulane essay that genuinely get you excited about attending. 

Remember that the Tulane application requirements include the Common App essay prompts. Leave yourself plenty of time to write thoughtful responses to not only each Tulane essay, but to each Common App essay as well. Every Common App essay and Tulane essay is another opportunity to impress Tulane admissions. 

You can also visit resources like the Tulane University admissions blog . There, you’ll find Q&As from the Ask the Dean event and other helpful information for applicants. There is not one successful type of Tulane student, so be yourself in your Tulane supplemental essays. Good luck!

Still not sure how to approach the Tulane essay? For more CollegeAdvisor.com resources, click he r e . Want help crafting your Tulane University supplemental essays? Create your free account or schedule a complimentary advising consultation online .

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2 Terrific Tulane Essay Examples from an Accepted Student

Tulane is an incredibly selective school, so it’s important to write strong essays that will help you stand out from other applicants with strong grades and extracurriculars. In this post, we’ll share two essays that helped a real student gain acceptance to Tulane, and outlines both their strengths and areas for improvement.

(Names and identifying information have been changed, but all other details are preserved)

Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays, but you should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and will not view students favorably if they plagiarize. 

Read our Tulane essay breakdown to get a comprehensive overview of this year’s supplemental prompts.

Essay Example 1 – Why Tulane?

As I led a spoken-word workshop for my school’s newspaper club, my voice trembled. Reciting a poem about the urgency of fighting climate change, I glanced up at my friends, gaining confidence as I felt their support. My apprehension faded as we began discussing strategies to promote sustainability through writing. Realizing that my words can spark meaningful conversations about the environment, I feel driven to express myself creatively to enact social change. 

I find inspiration every morning in the Norman Rockwell painting, “Golden Rule,” that hangs above my bed. It reads, “Do Unto Others as You Would Have Them Do Unto You.” When I explored New Orleans, everyone seemed guided by this phrase. When I was visibly overwhelmed by Bourbon Street’s colorful chaos, a musician paused his song to offer me directions. On a haunted tour, my guide rerouted our path to show my family where to find the best beignets. At Newcomb Art Museum, a Tulanian noticed my curiosity about the Transcommunality exhibit, taking the time to describe how Laura Anderson Barbata merged political activism with street theater. New Orleans is a city after my own heart, a community grounded in the “Golden Rule” that guides my daily actions. From my first steps on campus to my hours spent watching Alex Suh’s Tulane Youtube vlogs, I’ve learned that Tulane is woven from the same cloth of selfless service as NOLA. Surrounded by people who seek to better the world through small and large actions alike, I’d feel empowered to fight injustice through self-expression at Tulane. 

Envisioning my college experience extending beyond the limits of campus, Tulane’s emphasis on giving back to NOLA excites me. I hope to promote sustainability locally by minoring in Environmental Studies, turning thought into action by volunteering with Trash-to-Treasure and Green Light New Orleans. I also hope to continue harnessing poetry’s power to advocate for climate justice, forming a spoken-word club at Tulane and helping my peers discover the strength of their voices. 

Tulane’s commitment to inclusivity supports my work diversifying storytelling. By founding a literary magazine, I developed a platform for teens whose perspective often goes ignored. I strive to continue amplifying overlooked voices by majoring in English and Latin American Studies. Believing that writing can center marginalized stories and broaden narrow minds, I specifically aim to highlight immigration experiences like my mom’s to combat xenophobia. With Tulane’s focus on supporting diverse perspectives, I’d feel equipped to promote equity and understanding through fearless writing. I’m especially interested in researching Hispanic literature with Carolina Caballero, gaining inspiration as I work to self-publish a poetry book during college. Forging friendships within TU Gente, Queer Student Alliance, and Tulane Hillel – I know I’d build a home at Tulane.

As a university devoted to compassionate public service, Tulane reflects the future I want to help create. A “Tulanian” embodies a spirit of purposeful adventure, confronting global challenges head-on to benefit humanity. I imagine becoming one myself, joining a vibrant community grounded in humility, courage, and the Golden Rule.

What the Essay Did Well

The general point of the college essay is to advertise your most desirable qualities to admissions officers, while also showing them that you’re a real person with thoughts and feelings, not just a list of grades and awards. In this “Why This College?” essay, this student does exactly that while reflecting on the power of human connection, particularly through storytelling.

For example, lines like “When I was visibly overwhelmed by Bourbon Street’s colorful chaos, a musician paused his song to offer me directions” and “Believing that writing can center marginalized stories and broaden narrow minds, I specifically aim to highlight immigration experiences like my mom’s to combat xenophobia” show that this student has already spent time reflecting on what they value in a college community, and isn’t just paying lip service to things they think admissions officers will want to hear.

The student also connects their values to Tulane specifically, by describing their plans to form a spoken-word club at Tulane, and their desire to self-publish a poetry book with the help of a Tulane professor. 

Beyond their passion for storytelling, the student lays out other goals they have for college–minoring in Environmental Studies, volunteering in New Orleans, majoring in English and Latin American Studies, and joining Latinx, queer, and Jewish clubs–which shows they already have a comprehensive vision of what they hope to achieve in college. That clarity helps admissions officers envision how this student would fit into their school, and gives them confidence that they would hit the ground running upon arriving on campus.

Lastly, they show off a thoughtful, creative voice through lines like “New Orleans is a city after my own heart,” “Tulane is woven from the same cloth of selfless service as NOLA,” and “fearless writing.” These clever turns of phrase make the essay far more vibrant than it would be if the student just said “I love New Orleans” or “Tulane and New Orleans have shared values,” and that liveliness keeps us engaged from start to finish.

What Could Be Improved 

This essay is well-written, thoughtfully constructed, and incredibly enjoyable to read. But in the context of the college essay, there’s one more thing you need to worry about: the prompt. Unfortunately, this essay, for all its strengths, largely fails to answer the prompt.

Admissions officers are asking “why you are interested in attending Tulane University,” which means they want to hear about specific resources at Tulane, and how they will help the student pursue their goals. Right now, this essay is primarily about specific features of New Orleans, which doesn’t tell us why the student would prefer to attend Tulane over any other school in or around New Orleans.

To remedy this issue, we recommend a structure where each paragraph focuses on a resource at Tulane and explains how it relates to the student’s goals. This could look like:

• Paragraph 1: Community Resources. The student can keep their anecdote about the art exhibit to introduce the importance of community, but make the discussion more specific to Tulane by describing how excited they are to practice communicating their ideas in informal spaces like the Betsey Stockton Garden and the Rockefeller Dining Hall. 
• Paragraph 2: Location. It’s not inherently bad to talk about a school’s location, as long as that isn’t the essay’s primary focus. In this paragraph, the student can include the reflections already included in the essay about how New Orleans influences Tulane’s culture and values.
• Paragraph 3: Diversity Resources. The student can describe their goal of using storytelling to expose people to different perspectives, focusing on the Tulane-specific resources that will help them do so. Instead of being an afterthought, Carolina Caballero and organizations like TU Gente, Queer Student Alliance, and Tulane Hillel would be the focus of this paragraph. 

Additionally, this essay’s “hook” could use improvement. It is clearly intended to draw the reader in, but without an effective transition into the body of the essay, it ends up feeling contrived and isolated. 

Honestly, nothing in the introduction is necessary to understand the points the student makes throughout the rest of the essay–their compassion and desire to improve their communities comes across clearly in the second paragraph, through their descriptions of interactions they had with people on the streets of New Orleans. 

Moreover, the first sentence of the second paragraph, “I find inspiration every morning in the Norman Rockwell painting, “Golden Rule,” that hangs above my bed” is a compelling hook as is–we immediately want to know what about this painting the writer feels so connected to. So, we would recommend cutting the first paragraph entirely, and using the words saved to describe more Tulane-specific resources, as suggested above.

Lastly, this essay could benefit from shorter paragraphs, as large blocks of text, such as the second and fourth paragraphs, are visually daunting. Additionally, one of the strange realities of college essays is that, while you spend many hours writing and revising them, admissions officers have no choice but to read them extremely, because they have so many to get through. Using smaller paragraphs will help your reader digest your ideas quickly, as they won’t have to spend time wondering how several different threads are going to tie together.

For example, a logical place for a break in the second paragraph would be between the sentences “When I explored New Orleans, everyone seemed guided by this phrase” and “When I was visibly overwhelmed by Bourbon Street’s colorful chaos….” Here, the student is switching from an abstract idea to tangible examples of that idea manifesting in the real world, and using separate paragraphs will emphasize that shift.

Essay Example 2 – Diversity

• “It’s like Mexican Halloween right?” My friend pointed at the bright marigolds and sugar skulls that turn my home into an explosion of color in early November. 

“Something like that,” I hurriedly replied.

I had always misunderstood my family’s dedication to Day of the Dead. Growing up, I perceived our elaborate ofrendas, or altars, as extensions of Halloween – a morbid celebration of death and the supernatural. Gliding through the incense smoke that clouded my vision, I looked past the black and white photographs of ancestors I had never known grinning in sombreros and thick shawls. Living miles away from their home in Mexico, I felt no link between myself and the unfamiliar ghosts of a distant past. Up until my grandfather’s passing, I believed the boundary between life and death was insurmountable. 

Years had passed since I last visited him in Mexico as a young child, back when my Spanish consisted mostly of stammers. When he suddenly passed away in 2019, I felt I still had more to learn from him. As November rolled around, I cherished the opportunity to connect with him once more. Sharing stories about times when he made us smile with his wisdom and jokes, my mom and I set down offerings to symbolize nature’s elements: water, wind, fire, and earth. Lighting a candle and placing warm pastries beside his photograph, hazy recollections faded into my view: us playing traditional card games tense with militant strategy, flashes of wild laughter when we played tag, bear hugs so tight I felt I would implode. Though I’ve never been superstitious, I’ve learned that on Day of the Dead, the souls of the departed do return to Earth – if only in our loving memories. My relationship with my abuelo and my Latine roots remains vibrant through remembrance.        

By asking questions about my heritage, I’ve strengthened my sense of self and honored those who have worked to provide me with opportunities they didn’t have access to. I’ve discovered that my great-grandpa Enrique was a farmer, my great-great grandma Maria worked as a tailor, and my other great-grandpa Pablo organized workers’ strikes in Mexico City. With my ancestors’ sacrifices motivating me in times of stress, I’ve realized that memory is a powerful force.

Day of the Dead fuels my desire to ensure that unknown individuals throughout history have someone to tell their stories. The more internet rabbit-holes I go down, the more I learn how many meaningful experiences are buried by time. Using writing to preserve memories, I create poems about my family and articles about events that are excluded from many history books – such as the Chicano Movement and Mexican-American Repatriation during the Great Depression. At Tulane, I also hope to develop a podcast that highlights the artistic contributions of Latina women across history – adopting Day of the Dead’s beautiful celebration of life even in death. I strive to continue unearthing “Hidden History” through storytelling, fighting cultural erasure and keeping lost legacies alive.

In a “Diversity Essay,” you want to do two things: highlight a particular aspect of your identity, and explain how that aspect would make you a valuable addition to a college campus. By thoughtfully and humbly reflecting on her Mexican heritage, this student not only accomplishes both of those things, but also demonstrates that they are mature, honest, and open-minded, all qualities that admissions officers value highly.

For example, lines like “I had always misunderstood my family’s dedication to Day of the Dead,” “Up until my grandfather’s passing, I believed the boundary between life and death was insurmountable,” and “Though I’ve never been superstitious” show that the student is willing to admit their imperfections and work towards improving them. That humility gives admissions officers confidence that they will be able to both share their own experiences with their peers and learn from Tulane’s diverse student body.

At the end of the essay, lines like “By asking questions about my heritage, I’ve strengthened my sense of self” and “I’ve realized that memory is a powerful force” show the student’s capacity to not just reflect on the past, but take away meaningful lessons from it as well.

To shift focus slightly, one of the most common mistakes in writing a “Diversity Essay” is just talking about a diverse part of your identity, and failing to show how it shapes your actions and outlook on the world more broadly. This student masterfully avoids that error by describing tangible steps they have taken to accept their Mexican heritage, such as learning about their ancestors.

They even go a step further and tell us about things they hope to do in the future, specifically at Tulane, to continue to improve their understanding of who they are. The concrete details of both past actions and goals for the future prove to us that the student is serious about valuing diverse perspectives, and not just paying lip service to something admissions officers care about.

Finally, this student’s writing is outstanding. They form beautiful images in the mind of the reader that make us empathize with them and invest in their story. These include:

• Lighting a candle and placing warm pastries beside his photograph, hazy recollections faded into my view: us playing traditional card games tense with militant strategy, flashes of wild laughter when we played tag, bear hugs so tight I felt I would implode.
• I’ve discovered that my great-grandpa Enrique was a farmer, my great-great grandma Maria worked as a tailor, and my other great-grandpa Pablo organized workers’ strikes in Mexico City.

This essay is personal, precise, and compelling, and thus does not need much improvement. That said, there is one moment when the student’s writing becomes confusing. As they describe the effects of their grandfather’s death on their connection to Mexican culture, they write: 

“Years had passed since I last visited him in Mexico as a young child, back when my Spanish consisted mostly of stammers. When he suddenly passed away in 2019, I felt I still had more to learn from him. As November rolled around, I cherished the opportunity to connect with him once more.” 

The mix of ways the student lays out the timeline, from “years had passed” to “2019” to “as November rolled around,” makes it difficult for us to anchor ourselves. While the sentences are pleasing to read, sometimes clarity needs to take priority. If admissions officers feel confused about something basic like when an event happened, they won’t be able to appreciate your excellent writing. Here, the student may have been better off with something simpler, like:

“When my grandfather passed away in February of 2019, I was shocked to realize the last time I had seen him had been four years earlier. So, when November rolled around, I decided I would cherish the opportunity to connect with him once more.”

Another area for improvement for this student is sentence structure. While their sentences read very nicely, an inordinate number of them begin with dependent clauses, specifically gerunds (words that end in -ing):

• Gliding through the incense smoke…
• Living miles away from their home…
• Sharing stories about times when…
• Lighting a candle and placing warm pastries…
• Asking questions about my heritage…
• Using writing to preserve memories…

While this structure allows them to include extra details and paint a complete picture of what’s happening, it also means we frequently have to wait to figure out what their main point is, which at points makes the essay feel somewhat bloated. The essay would flow better if the student mixed in a few more sentences with simpler, more traditional structures.

Where to Get Feedback on Your Essay 

Want feedback on your Tulane essays before you submit? That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

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3 Tips for Writing a Stand-Out Why Tulane Essay

College Essays

If you're applying to Tulane University, you can choose to answer the Why Tulane optional statement as part of your application. The Why Tulane supplement essay asks you to explain why you want to attend Tulane.

In this article, we'll talk about what the Why Tulane application is, whether you should answer it, and how to write a successful essay that'll help increase your chances of admission.

The Why Tulane Essay Prompt

The Why Tulane supplement essay is straightforward:

Please describe why you are interested in attending Tulane University (optional) (50-500 words).

See? Straight to the point.

While the instructions are simple, the wide range of word count and relatively open-ended prompt make the Why Tulane essay more difficult than it initially seems. The Common App prompt states, "We strongly encourage you to focus on content and efficiency rather than word count. While submitting this prompt is optional, we recommend that all applicants do so."

In other words, you'll need to put some serious effort into your essay in order to stand out as an applicant.

Should I Write the Why Tulane Supplement Essay?

Looking at the Why Tulane application essay, you might be wondering if you even need to write the essay in the first place. After all, the prompt does say "optional".

While that's true, it would be a huge mistake to not write your Why Tulane application essay. This essay is a great opportunity to a) show off any interests and talents you have that aren't immediately apparent on the rest of your application and b) demonstrate why Tulane is a great fit for you and vice versa. The Tulane supplement essay is your chance to prove that you belong on Tulane's New Orleans campus—don't forgo it.

What Is the Purpose of the Why Tulane Essay?

Colleges like Tulane want to see that you really want to attend their school. Applicants who love their school are more likely to be active and happy students and later, active and happy alumni. Your essay should show the admissions committee that you really love Tulane, which will make them feel more confident that you'll be a great addition to the campus. Applicants that really want to attend a school are also more likely to enroll, meaning that Tulane's rate of enrollment will be higher.

Similarly, Tulane wants to make sure you know and value what they offer, and they also want to assess how you'll take advantage of the many opportunities on Tulane's campus to further your academic and professional career.

This essay is a great opportunity for the admissions committee to weed out students who haven't done their research on Tulane or really don't care about attending.

What Should I Write About in My Why Tulane Application Essay?

Your Why Tulane essay is your chance to express to the admissions committee why you want to attend Tulane. What made you apply to this school over any of the thousands of others you could have applied to?

Your Why Tulane application essay should be personal. The admissions committee doesn't want to read a cookie-cutter statement that could be written by any student about any school. Your paper should read as uniquely about you and uniquely about Tulane. With that in mind, here are three ideas for what you can write about for your Why Tulane essay.

#1: What Resonated With You When You Visited Tulane

If you made it down to New Orleans to visit Tulane, you should tell a specific story about what resonated with you on your campus trip. You could talk about a class that you sat in on or an experience you had with a tour guide. You could discuss visiting a local restaurant or engaging with New Orleans culture.

The Tulane admissions committee wants to hear about what stuck with you—and generic, bland answers will stand out as insincere. This essay isn't about why you want to attend college—it's about why you want to attend Tulane. Pick experiences that could only happen at Tulane, not anywhere else.

#2: What Makes Tulane a Great Match With Your Past and Your Future

You can use your Why Tulane essay to expand on your interests and passions as a student and person. Tie those interests back to Tulane itself to show why Tulane is the right school for you.

Tulane places a large emphasis on community service, so if you have experience doing community service in your hometown or plan to make that a large part of your life at college, this essay is a great opportunity to talk about that passion. If you want to study a specific field, like public health, that Tulane specializes in, the Why Tulane essay is the place to highlight that. Use this essay to describe how attending Tulane fits in with your plans. Doing so will help show the admissions committee that you plan to make the most out of your time on campus.

#3: Experiences You've Had With Current or Former Students

Tulane admissions officer Jeff Schiffman recommends name-dropping current or former Tulane students to explain why you're interested in attending the university . According to Schiffman, your reasons don't have to be particularly highbrow or academically-minded. You might just have noticed some awesome Instagram posts from a friend of a friend or heard great things from your second cousin. However you have the connection, use the Why Tulane essay to prove your interest in attending Tulane.

Tips for Writing an Amazing Why Tulane Essay

Writing a strong Why Tulane application essay isn't just about picking the right topic. You need to make sure your essay is the best possible example of your work in order to wow the admissions committee. Follow these three tips for writing an amazing Tulane application essay.

#1: Make Your Work Tulane-Specific

Nothing about your Why Tulane essay should be generic or impersonal. The more specific you can be when answering this prompt, the better. Don't say Tulane has great academics, caring professors, and an interesting student body. Tulane knows that already—it doesn't need you to tell its admissions officers that.

Everything you write about in your Why Tulane essay should be specific to Tulane—from the names of the professors and the courses to the feeling you had while visiting the campus. The more authentic you are, the more your passion for Tulane will stand out.

#2: Do Your Research

The best way to make your Why Tulane essay specific to Tulane is to do your research about the school. If you can, visit the campus to get a feel for its student body and on-campus life. If you can't, spend time perusing the school's website and try to speak with current or former students. The more you know about Tulane, the more convincingly you'll be able to write that Tulane is the best school for you to attend.

You should get an idea for the different clubs and activities that you'd like to participate in. You can find this information on the school's website. It can also be worthwhile to schedule a meeting with a professor, especially if you have a particular area of study that you're extremely interested in.

#3: Proofread and Polish Your Essay

Your Tulane essay should be the strongest example of your work possible. Before you turn in your application, make sure to edit and proofread your essays.

Your work should be free of spelling and grammar errors. Make sure to run your essays through a spelling and grammar check before you submit.

It's a good idea to have someone else read your "Why Tulane" essay, too. You can seek a second opinion on your work from a parent, teacher, or friend. Ask them whether your work represents you as a student and person. Have them check and make sure you haven't missed any small writing errors. Having a second opinion will help your work be the best it possibly can be.

The Why Tulane supplement essay is your opportunity to show why you want to attend Tulane University.

The Why Tulane essay is…

• An opportunity to explain what you specifically like about Tulane.
• A place to highlight your unique skills and interests.

The Why Tulane essay isn't…

• The place to share why going to college in general is important.
• An opportunity to talk about the other schools you're applying to.

What's Next?

Starting your essay is often the hardest part. If you're unsure where to begin, read our guide to starting your essay perfectly!

A good essay is just one part of a successful Tulane application . If you want to really wow the admissions office, be sure your grades and test scores are up to par.

Tulane University may not be an Ivy League school, but that doesn't mean your application shouldn't be Ivy League-caliber. Use these tips for getting into Harvard to shape your college application, and you'll have no problem getting into any school you choose!

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How to Respond to the 2023/2024 Tulane University Supplemental Essay Prompt

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Tulane University is a private research university located in the birthplace of jazz: New Orleans, Louisiana. The overall acceptance rate is only 10% , so the optional Tulane supplemental essay is a vital part of the application process. Use this guide for tips and tricks for your Tulane supplemental essay!

Writing the Tulane supplemental essay is a sure way to  demonstrate your interest and desire to attend. Tulane is an institution that considers demonstrated interes t in their admission review process, so it is in your best interest to answer the optional question. In fact, they state that “while submitting this prompt is optional, we recommend that all applicants do so.” Let’s start writing! 

The Tulane prompt 

“ Optional : Describe why you are interested in joining the Tulane community. Consider your experiences, talents, and values to illustrate what you would contribute to the Tulane community if admitted.” (250 words max)

While this prompt appears general in nature, this is your chance to get specific and tell a story that is genuine to you. Think about what makes you unique, and don’t be modest! This is the time to make the most of your talents and the set of beliefs that you value. For example, do you love animals and volunteer at a shelter? Maybe you would like to be part of organizing a “Puppy Comfort” day during exams. Were you raised in a particular faith and plan to continue on your spiritual journey while at Tulane? Share 

There are plenty of options available to you, especially since the prompt is so broad. However, don’t think that your essay has to exactly 250 words in order to be a success. Everyone’s story is different, so when you feel you’ve reached an appropriate conclusion, be confident and end it there. The application states that the statement should be “250 words at most; however, it is neither necessary nor expected that you reach this maximum length. We strongly encourage you to focus on content and efficiency rather than word count.” So, 

Questions to consider

• What do I do in my spare time that brings out my best self?
• How do I hope to contribute to the campus community by making use of my specific talents?
• Are there any clubs or groups I plan to join?
• How has my family and community positively shaped who I am?

Final thoughts for students

When you start your essay, keep an open mind about different ways of writing. The usual formal writing you might’ve used in high school essays shouldn’t be used to answer these prompts. Instead, take on a conversational tone or become the narrator to your own story. The possibilities are endless and luckily, the essay is about you (who knows you better than you?). 

See also: How to write an essay about yourself

Additional resources

After you’ve completed your Tulane supplemental essay, no doubt there are more steps in the college application process to complete. Luckily, Scholarships360 has the answers to your college questions. Remember, you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself! 

Wondering when you should take the SAT or ACT? Read our guide for tips and recommendations for choosing the best time for you. If you are trying to decide between the ACT or SAT , or whether or not to send your SAT/ACT scores to test optional schools, we have you covered. 

Tulane University accepts the  Common Application as well as their own Tulane specific application. Remember to fill out the FAFSA, and if you need some help, our “ How to Complete the FAFSA ” guide is free!

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, what are tulane's essay prompts.

Hey guys! I'm working on my college applications and am planning on applying to Tulane. Anyone got the scoop on their essay prompts? Any tips for writing a killer essay for Tulane? Much appreciated!

Hey! Tulane's application includes one additional essay that asks you to explain why you are interested in attending Tulane.

To effectively answer this essay, research the university to find out what sets it apart from other schools and consider how those unique elements align with your interests and goals. Here are a few tips for crafting a strong essay:

1. Connect your academic interests to specific programs or courses offered at Tulane.

2. Mention extracurricular activities, clubs, or research opportunities that excite you.

3. Discuss how Tulane's location in New Orleans will provide you with opportunities to grow and engage with the local community.

4. Talk about how Tulane's campus culture aligns well with your personality and values.

Remember to be authentic, specific, and concise in your response, showcasing your genuine desire to attend Tulane and demonstrating that you've done your research. Good luck with your applications!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

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September 15, 2021

2021-2022 Prize for the Longest College Essays

It’s that time of year. Awards season. And while Emmys will be given out this weekend, we’d like to give out another award: the prize for the longest college essays of the 2021-2022 college admissions season. So which university takes home the grand prize? Is it the University of Chicago with their two long essays? Stanford University with their three somewhat long essays and then laundry list of short answers? Columbia University with their two fairly long essays and super long lists, some of which happen to be shorter than in years past? No, no. None of these schools have claimed the 2021-2022 grand prize for the longest college essays among elite universities.

Tulane University Asks the Longest Essay Prompts

The grand prize goes to…drum roll please…Tulane University. That’s right. Tulane University, which historically has presented applicants with a long supplement in the past , outdoes itself this year. This year, the school asks applicants to respond to two 800-word essays and one 250-word essays. We can’t think of any other elite university that asks applicants to respond in up to 800 words — unless the school doesn’t specify a word count. And to ask two 800-word essays and a 250-word essay? Well, who can accuse Tulane of trying to bump up its US News & World Report ranking by making it easier for students to apply? The school is making them jump through quite the hoop when it comes to its essays.

Tulane University Asks 3 Essay Prompts, Including Two 800-Word Essays

And what exactly are the Tulane essay prompts, you ask? The first prompt reads, “Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences.” Applicants are asked to respond in 250 words. And while the essay is “optional,” loyal readers of our college admissions blog know all too well that “optional” means diddly-squat in elite college admissions. The second prompt reads, “Please describe why you are interested in attending Tulane University.” This essay, too, is optional and applicants are given 800 words to respond. And the third essay reads, “Tulane values the lessons gained from pursuing an education alongside a student body that represents a wide range of experiences and perspectives and is reflective of our multicultural world. If you would like to share a perspective related to your family, cultural group, sexual or gender identity, religious group, or some other aspect that has shaped your identity, please do so here.” This essay, like the other two, is also optional. Applicants are given 800 words to respond just like for the second prompt.

Congratulations to Tulane University for winning the 2021-2022 grand prize for longest college essays!

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Tulane’s 2022-2023 optional supplemental essay prompts

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Tulane gives students the opportunity to expand on their application by answering these 3 optional prompts. To express your interest in Tulane further than just submitting an application, consider answering these prompts.

• Please briefly describe why you are interested in attending Tulane University. (No more than 500 words)
• Tulane values the lessons gained from pursuing an education alongside a student body that represents a wide range of experiences and perspectives and is reflective of our multicultural world. If you would like to share a perspective related to your family, cultural group, sexual or gender identity, religious group, or some other aspect that has shaped your identity, please do so here. (No more than 500 words)
• If you would like to elaborate on one of your activities, you may do so briefly here. (No more than 250 words)

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Writing Tips

• The University of Pittsburgh’s Honors supplemental essay focuses on global issues
• Indiana’s supplemental essay prompt for the ’22-’23 admissions cycle
• SMU’s supplemental essays demand personal insight and research from applicants
• Baylor’s big supplemental essay
• Supplemental essays for Purdue dig into students’ interests and aspirations

Supplemental Essay Guide 2024-25

What do the 2024-25 supplemental essay prompts really mean, and how should you approach them? CEA's experts are here to break them all down.

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2023-2024 Tulane

• Thread starter wysdoc
• Start date Mar 23, 2023

Plain-spoken Texan

• Mar 23, 2023

forestbunny

Full member.

• Jul 3, 2023

Secondary received. Same prompts as last year's.  

demetriusclair

OOS, secondary not received yet.  

Wavin' Howdy 🤠

demetriusclair said: OOS, secondary not received yet. Click to expand...

248pinkalicious

forestbunny said: Secondary received. Same prompts as last year's. Click to expand...

Rite1234 said: Same Click to expand...

248pinkalicious said: are you ED? or regular? Click to expand...

• Jul 5, 2023

Secondary received. OOS, Tulane alum, wait listed last year  

YoungForever

OOS Sec received @wysdoc 1. Tulane University School of Medicine’s mission statement states: We improve human health and foster healthy communities through discovery and translation of the best science into clinical practice and education; to deliver the highest quality patient care and prepare the next generation of distinguished clinical and scientific leaders. Briefly describe the reasons for your interest in Tulane University School of Medicine. 150 words limit 2. What disparities in health do you believe are pertinent to the New Orleans patient population? How would you attempt to address them as a medical student at Tulane? You may support your answer by using past involvement working in a similar patient population to compare and/or describe your interest in any student activities offered at Tulane or in New Orleans.150 words limit 3. Who knows you best and how would they describe you? 150 words limit 4. Please list any leadership positions (clubs, organizations, paid work) you may have held. 100 words limit 5. Please list your hobbies and major non-academic interests 150 word limit OPTIONAL: The following questions are optional. Declining to answer a question will not negatively impact your application in any way. 6. Tulane University School of Medicine values the diversity of its patients, faculty, staff, and students. Do you identify with a particular group that you believe is underrepresented among medical professionals? These include groups oriented around, but not limited to: ethnicity, race, sexuality, religion, disability, and economic background. 60 words 7. In what ways did the COVID-19 pandemic alter/interrupt your medical school application? no limit  

Thanks @YoungForever for sharing the essay prompts  

when it says to list paid/leadership positions and hobbies, should we actually list them or write small paragraph with short descriptions?  

dandy101 said: when it says to list paid/leadership positions and hobbies, should we actually list them or write small paragraph with short descriptions? Click to expand...

opabiniafan

RD IS secondary received  

+1 OOS RD received  

Has anyone not received an OOS RD secondary yet?  

appletart said: Has anyone not received an OOS RD secondary yet? Click to expand...

ClashRoyaleKing

Medical school applicant.

dlosamtto said: Idk what RD is tbh but im OOS and havent received secondary yet Click to expand...

madamemichaelscott

• Jul 6, 2023

OOS 2º received @ 9am today, RD  

sweetpotatofever

+1 OOS secondary this morning.  

BarrBodyGuy

sweetpotatofever said: +1 OOS secondary this morning. Click to expand...

harry_potter138

hmm OOS secondary not received yet, do they screen?  

I would also note that there are questions asking 1) if you worked for Americorps, Peace Corps or Teach for America and 2) if you studied abroad. If you answer yes to either of these, a prompt shows up to give a short description (100 words).  

Numpostrophe

harry_potter138 said: hmm OOS secondary not received yet, do they screen? Click to expand...

ishouldnotbehere

Is it true you should try to get the Tulane secondary submitted within like a day or you’re screwed?  

ishouldnotbehere said: Is it true you should try to get the Tulane secondary submitted within like a day or you’re screwed? Click to expand...

Anyone else OOS not receive one yet? Maybe because of my lower MCAT??  

dlosamtto said: Anyone else OOS not receive one yet? Maybe because of my lower MCAT?? Click to expand...

Rite1234 said: OOS, have 515, have not received just yet. Click to expand...

I received one, OOS, with a 513, give it time.  

• Jul 7, 2023

for the hobbies, are y'all planning on just doing a list or writing a story?  

bstomd2024 said: for the hobbies, are y'all planning on just doing a list or writing a story? Click to expand...

MCAT 515 international received four days ago, give it some time i think they send out in batches  

• Jul 10, 2023

OOS secondary received (finally)  

outcastdoodle

oos received  

ED applicant, received my secondary invite on 07/03. In state.  

Radio silence for me  

tcc926818 said: OOS secondary received (finally) Click to expand...

• Jul 11, 2023

Hate to be that person but is anyone under review yet.............  

Sunrizon said: Radio silence for me Click to expand...

cutebblily said: Hate to be that person but is anyone under review yet............. Click to expand...

Anyone else still waiting for the secondary?  

cooltexan01

Feeny said: +1 Click to expand...

harry_potter138 said: still nothing Click to expand...

Similar threads

• Oct 18, 2023

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How to cite ChatGPT

Use discount code STYLEBLOG15 for 15% off APA Style print products with free shipping in the United States.

We, the APA Style team, are not robots. We can all pass a CAPTCHA test , and we know our roles in a Turing test . And, like so many nonrobot human beings this year, we’ve spent a fair amount of time reading, learning, and thinking about issues related to large language models, artificial intelligence (AI), AI-generated text, and specifically ChatGPT . We’ve also been gathering opinions and feedback about the use and citation of ChatGPT. Thank you to everyone who has contributed and shared ideas, opinions, research, and feedback.

In this post, I discuss situations where students and researchers use ChatGPT to create text and to facilitate their research, not to write the full text of their paper or manuscript. We know instructors have differing opinions about how or even whether students should use ChatGPT, and we’ll be continuing to collect feedback about instructor and student questions. As always, defer to instructor guidelines when writing student papers. For more about guidelines and policies about student and author use of ChatGPT, see the last section of this post.

Quoting or reproducing the text created by ChatGPT in your paper

If you’ve used ChatGPT or other AI tools in your research, describe how you used the tool in your Method section or in a comparable section of your paper. For literature reviews or other types of essays or response or reaction papers, you might describe how you used the tool in your introduction. In your text, provide the prompt you used and then any portion of the relevant text that was generated in response.

Unfortunately, the results of a ChatGPT “chat” are not retrievable by other readers, and although nonretrievable data or quotations in APA Style papers are usually cited as personal communications , with ChatGPT-generated text there is no person communicating. Quoting ChatGPT’s text from a chat session is therefore more like sharing an algorithm’s output; thus, credit the author of the algorithm with a reference list entry and the corresponding in-text citation.

When prompted with “Is the left brain right brain divide real or a metaphor?” the ChatGPT-generated text indicated that although the two brain hemispheres are somewhat specialized, “the notation that people can be characterized as ‘left-brained’ or ‘right-brained’ is considered to be an oversimplification and a popular myth” (OpenAI, 2023).

OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Mar 14 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat

You may also put the full text of long responses from ChatGPT in an appendix of your paper or in online supplemental materials, so readers have access to the exact text that was generated. It is particularly important to document the exact text created because ChatGPT will generate a unique response in each chat session, even if given the same prompt. If you create appendices or supplemental materials, remember that each should be called out at least once in the body of your APA Style paper.

When given a follow-up prompt of “What is a more accurate representation?” the ChatGPT-generated text indicated that “different brain regions work together to support various cognitive processes” and “the functional specialization of different regions can change in response to experience and environmental factors” (OpenAI, 2023; see Appendix A for the full transcript).

Creating a reference to ChatGPT or other AI models and software

The in-text citations and references above are adapted from the reference template for software in Section 10.10 of the Publication Manual (American Psychological Association, 2020, Chapter 10). Although here we focus on ChatGPT, because these guidelines are based on the software template, they can be adapted to note the use of other large language models (e.g., Bard), algorithms, and similar software.

The reference and in-text citations for ChatGPT are formatted as follows:

• Parenthetical citation: (OpenAI, 2023)
• Narrative citation: OpenAI (2023)

Let’s break that reference down and look at the four elements (author, date, title, and source):

Author: The author of the model is OpenAI.

Date: The date is the year of the version you used. Following the template in Section 10.10, you need to include only the year, not the exact date. The version number provides the specific date information a reader might need.

Title: The name of the model is “ChatGPT,” so that serves as the title and is italicized in your reference, as shown in the template. Although OpenAI labels unique iterations (i.e., ChatGPT-3, ChatGPT-4), they are using “ChatGPT” as the general name of the model, with updates identified with version numbers.

The version number is included after the title in parentheses. The format for the version number in ChatGPT references includes the date because that is how OpenAI is labeling the versions. Different large language models or software might use different version numbering; use the version number in the format the author or publisher provides, which may be a numbering system (e.g., Version 2.0) or other methods.

Bracketed text is used in references for additional descriptions when they are needed to help a reader understand what’s being cited. References for a number of common sources, such as journal articles and books, do not include bracketed descriptions, but things outside of the typical peer-reviewed system often do. In the case of a reference for ChatGPT, provide the descriptor “Large language model” in square brackets. OpenAI describes ChatGPT-4 as a “large multimodal model,” so that description may be provided instead if you are using ChatGPT-4. Later versions and software or models from other companies may need different descriptions, based on how the publishers describe the model. The goal of the bracketed text is to briefly describe the kind of model to your reader.

Source: When the publisher name and the author name are the same, do not repeat the publisher name in the source element of the reference, and move directly to the URL. This is the case for ChatGPT. The URL for ChatGPT is https://chat.openai.com/chat . For other models or products for which you may create a reference, use the URL that links as directly as possible to the source (i.e., the page where you can access the model, not the publisher’s homepage).

Other questions about citing ChatGPT

You may have noticed the confidence with which ChatGPT described the ideas of brain lateralization and how the brain operates, without citing any sources. I asked for a list of sources to support those claims and ChatGPT provided five references—four of which I was able to find online. The fifth does not seem to be a real article; the digital object identifier given for that reference belongs to a different article, and I was not able to find any article with the authors, date, title, and source details that ChatGPT provided. Authors using ChatGPT or similar AI tools for research should consider making this scrutiny of the primary sources a standard process. If the sources are real, accurate, and relevant, it may be better to read those original sources to learn from that research and paraphrase or quote from those articles, as applicable, than to use the model’s interpretation of them.

We’ve also received a number of other questions about ChatGPT. Should students be allowed to use it? What guidelines should instructors create for students using AI? Does using AI-generated text constitute plagiarism? Should authors who use ChatGPT credit ChatGPT or OpenAI in their byline? What are the copyright implications ?

On these questions, researchers, editors, instructors, and others are actively debating and creating parameters and guidelines. Many of you have sent us feedback, and we encourage you to continue to do so in the comments below. We will also study the policies and procedures being established by instructors, publishers, and academic institutions, with a goal of creating guidelines that reflect the many real-world applications of AI-generated text.

For questions about manuscript byline credit, plagiarism, and related ChatGPT and AI topics, the APA Style team is seeking the recommendations of APA Journals editors. APA Style guidelines based on those recommendations will be posted on this blog and on the APA Style site later this year.

Update: APA Journals has published policies on the use of generative AI in scholarly materials .

We, the APA Style team humans, appreciate your patience as we navigate these unique challenges and new ways of thinking about how authors, researchers, and students learn, write, and work with new technologies.

American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000

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Global Energy Crisis

How the energy crisis started, how global energy markets are impacting our daily life, and what governments are doing about it

• English English

What is the energy crisis?

Record prices, fuel shortages, rising poverty, slowing economies: the first energy crisis that's truly global.

Energy markets began to tighten in 2021 because of a variety of factors, including the extraordinarily rapid economic rebound following the pandemic. But the situation escalated dramatically into a full-blown global energy crisis following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The price of natural gas reached record highs, and as a result so did electricity in some markets. Oil prices hit their highest level since 2008. 

Higher energy prices have contributed to painfully high inflation, pushed families into poverty, forced some factories to curtail output or even shut down, and slowed economic growth to the point that some countries are heading towards severe recession. Europe, whose gas supply is uniquely vulnerable because of its historic reliance on Russia, could face gas rationing this winter, while many emerging economies are seeing sharply higher energy import bills and fuel shortages. While today’s energy crisis shares some parallels with the oil shocks of the 1970s, there are important differences. Today’s crisis involves all fossil fuels, while the 1970s price shocks were largely limited to oil at a time when the global economy was much more dependent on oil, and less dependent on gas. The entire word economy is much more interlinked than it was 50 years ago, magnifying the impact. That’s why we can refer to this as the first truly global energy crisis.

Some gas-intensive manufacturing plants in Europe have curtailed output because they can’t afford to keep operating, while in China some have simply had their power supply cut. In emerging and developing economies, where the share of household budgets spent on energy and food is already large, higher energy bills have increased extreme poverty and set back progress towards achieving universal and affordable energy access. Even in advanced economies, rising prices have impacted vulnerable households and caused significant economic, social and political strains.

Climate policies have been blamed in some quarters for contributing to the recent run-up in energy prices, but there is no evidence. In fact, a greater supply of clean energy sources and technologies would have protected consumers and mitigated some of the upward pressure on fuel prices.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine drove European and Asian gas prices to record highs

Evolution of key regional natural gas prices, june 2021-october 2022, what is causing it, disrupted supply chains, bad weather, low investment, and then came russia's invasion of ukraine.

Energy prices have been rising since 2021 because of the rapid economic recovery, weather conditions in various parts of the world, maintenance work that had been delayed by the pandemic, and earlier decisions by oil and gas companies and exporting countries to reduce investments. Russia began withholding gas supplies to Europe in 2021, months ahead of its invasion of Ukraine. All that led to already tight supplies. Russia’s attack on Ukraine greatly exacerbated the situation . The United States and the EU imposed a series of sanctions on Russia and many European countries declared their intention to phase out Russian gas imports completely. Meanwhile, Russia has increasingly curtailed or even turned off its export pipelines. Russia is by far the world’s largest exporter of fossil fuels, and a particularly important supplier to Europe. In 2021, a quarter of all energy consumed in the EU came from Russia. As Europe sought to replace Russian gas, it bid up prices of US, Australian and Qatari ship-borne liquefied natural gas (LNG), raising prices and diverting supply away from traditional LNG customers in Asia. Because gas frequently sets the price at which electricity is sold, power prices soared as well. Both LNG producers and importers are rushing to build new infrastructure to increase how much LNG can be traded internationally, but these costly projects take years to come online. Oil prices also initially soared as international trade routes were reconfigured after the United States, many European countries and some of their Asian allies said they would no longer buy Russian oil. Some shippers have declined to carry Russian oil because of sanctions and insurance risk. Many large oil producers were unable to boost supply to meet rising demand – even with the incentive of sky-high prices – because of a lack of investment in recent years. While prices have come down from their peaks, the outlook is uncertain with new rounds of European sanctions on Russia kicking in later this year.

What is being done?

Pandemic hangovers and rising interest rates limit public responses, while some countries turn to coal.

Some governments are looking to cushion the blow for customers and businesses, either through direct assistance, or by limiting prices for consumers and then paying energy providers the difference. But with inflation in many countries well above target and budget deficits already large because of emergency spending during the Covid-19 pandemic, the scope for cushioning the impact is more limited than in early 2020. Rising inflation has triggered increases in short-term interest rates in many countries, slowing down economic growth. Europeans have rushed to increase gas imports from alternative producers such as Algeria, Norway and Azerbaijan. Several countries have resumed or expanded the use of coal for power generation, and some are extending the lives of nuclear plants slated for de-commissioning. EU members have also introduced gas storage obligations, and agreed on voluntary targets to cut gas and electricity demand by 15% this winter through efficiency measures, greater use of renewables, and support for efficiency improvements. To ensure adequate oil supplies, the IEA and its members responded with the two largest ever releases of emergency oil stocks. With two decisions – on 1 March 2022 and 1 April – the IEA coordinated the release of some 182 million barrels of emergency oil from public stocks or obligated stocks held by industry. Some IEA member countries independently released additional public stocks, resulting in a total of over 240 million barrels being released between March and November 2022.

The IEA has also published action plans to cut oil use with immediate impact, as well as plans for how Europe can reduce its reliance on Russian gas and how common citizens can reduce their energy consumption . The invasion has sparked a reappraisal of energy policies and priorities, calling into question the viability of decades of infrastructure and investment decisions, and profoundly reorientating international energy trade. Gas had been expected to play a key role in many countries as a lower-emitting "bridge" between dirtier fossil fuels and renewable energies. But today’s crisis has called into question natural gas’ reliability.

The current crisis could accelerate the rollout of cleaner, sustainable renewable energy such as wind and solar, just as the 1970s oil shocks spurred major advances in energy efficiency, as well as in nuclear, solar and wind power. The crisis has also underscored the importance of investing in robust gas and power network infrastructure to better integrate regional markets. The EU’s RePowerEU, presented in May 2022 and the United States’ Inflation Reduction Act , passed in August 2022, both contain major initiatives to develop energy efficiency and promote renewable energies. 

The global energy crisis can be a historic turning point

Energy saving tips

1. Heating: turn it down

Lower your thermostat by just 1°C to save around 7% of your heating energy and cut an average bill by EUR 50-70 a year. Always set your thermostat as low as feels comfortable, and wear warm clothes indoors. Use a programmable thermostat to set the temperature to 15°C while you sleep and 10°C when the house is unoccupied. This cuts up to 10% a year off heating bills. Try to only heat the room you’re in or the rooms you use regularly.

The same idea applies in hot weather. Turn off air-conditioning when you’re out. Set the overall temperature 1 °C warmer to cut bills by up to 10%. And only cool the room you’re in.

2. Boiler: adjust the settings

Default boiler settings are often higher than you need. Lower the hot water temperature to save 8% of your heating energy and cut EUR 100 off an average bill.  You may have to have the plumber come once if you have a complex modern combi boiler and can’t figure out the manual. Make sure you follow local recommendations or consult your boiler manual. Swap a bath for a shower to spend less energy heating water. And if you already use a shower, take a shorter one. Hot water tanks and pipes should be insulated to stop heat escaping. Clean wood- and pellet-burning heaters regularly with a wire brush to keep them working efficiently.

3. Warm air: seal it in

Close windows and doors, insulate pipes and draught-proof around windows, chimneys and other gaps to keep the warm air inside. Unless your home is very new, you will lose heat through draughty doors and windows, gaps in the floor, or up the chimney. Draught-proof these gaps with sealant or weather stripping to save up to EUR 100 a year. Install tight-fitting curtains or shades on windows to retain even more heat. Close fireplace and chimney openings (unless a fire is burning) to stop warm air escaping straight up the chimney. And if you never use your fireplace, seal the chimney to stop heat escaping.

4. Lightbulbs: swap them out

Replace old lightbulbs with new LED ones, and only keep on the lights you need. LED bulbs are more efficient than incandescent and halogen lights, they burn out less frequently, and save around EUR 10 a year per bulb. Check the energy label when buying bulbs, and aim for A (the most efficient) rather than G (the least efficient). The simplest and easiest way to save energy is to turn lights off when you leave a room.

5. Grab a bike

Walking or cycling are great alternatives to driving for short journeys, and they help save money, cut emissions and reduce congestion. If you can, leave your car at home for shorter journeys; especially if it’s a larger car. Share your ride with neighbours, friends and colleagues to save energy and money. You’ll also see big savings and health benefits if you travel by bike. Many governments also offer incentives for electric bikes.

6. Use public transport

For longer distances where walking or cycling is impractical, public transport still reduces energy use, congestion and air pollution. If you’re going on a longer trip, consider leaving your car at home and taking the train. Buy a season ticket to save money over time. Your workplace or local government might also offer incentives for travel passes. Plan your trip in advance to save on tickets and find the best route.

7. Drive smarter

Optimise your driving style to reduce fuel consumption: drive smoothly and at lower speeds on motorways, close windows at high speeds and make sure your tires are properly inflated. Try to take routes that avoid heavy traffic and turn off the engine when you’re not moving. Drive 10 km/h slower on motorways to cut your fuel bill by around EUR 60 per year. Driving steadily between 50-90 km/h can also save fuel. When driving faster than 80 km/h, it’s more efficient to use A/C, rather than opening your windows. And service your engine regularly to maintain energy efficiency.

Analysis and forecast to 2026

Fuel report — December 2023

Europe’s energy crisis: Understanding the drivers of the fall in electricity demand

Commentary — 09 May 2023

Where things stand in the global energy crisis one year on

Commentary — 23 February 2023

The global energy crisis pushed fossil fuel consumption subsidies to an all-time high in 2022

Commentary — 16 February 2023

Fossil Fuels Consumption Subsidies 2022

Policy report — February 2023

Background note on the natural gas supply-demand balance of the European Union in 2023

Report — February 2023

Analysis and forecast to 2025

Fuel report — December 2022

How to Avoid Gas Shortages in the European Union in 2023

A practical set of actions to close a potential supply-demand gap

Flagship report — December 2022

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Where Tim Walz Stands on the Issues

As governor of Minnesota, he has enacted policies to secure abortion protections, provide free meals for schoolchildren, allow recreational marijuana and set renewable energy goals.

• Share full article

By Maggie Astor

• Aug. 6, 2024

Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, the newly announced running mate to Vice President Kamala Harris, has worked with his state’s Democratic-controlled Legislature to enact an ambitious agenda of liberal policies: free college tuition for low-income students, free meals for schoolchildren, legal recreational marijuana and protections for transgender people.

“You don’t win elections to bank political capital,” Mr. Walz wrote last year about his approach to governing. “You win elections to burn political capital and improve lives.”

Republicans have slammed these policies as big-government liberalism and accused Mr. Walz of taking a hard left turn since he represented a politically divided district in Congress years ago.

Here is an overview of where Mr. Walz stands on some key issues.

Mr. Walz signed a bill last year that guaranteed Minnesotans a “fundamental right to make autonomous decisions” about reproductive health care on issues such as abortion, contraception and fertility treatments.

Abortion was already protected by a Minnesota Supreme Court decision, but the new law guarded against a future court reversing that precedent as the U.S. Supreme Court did with Roe v. Wade, and Mr. Walz said this year that he was also open to an amendment to the state’s Constitution that would codify abortion rights.

Another bill he signed legally shields patients, and their medical providers, if they receive an abortion in Minnesota after traveling from a state where abortion is banned.

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