Admissions Applying as an Entering Freshman
Students should consult with the University’s Office of Admissions to learn about the requirements and processes of admissions at Tulane. In general, Tulane seeks students who have a strong high school academic record in terms of performance (grades and class rank, if available) and selection and content of courses studied. Tulane recognizes that curricula vary among high schools and that not all students have the same academic resources available to them. The Admissions office does look, however, for students who undertake the most challenging college preparatory program possible. Applicants are evaluated in terms of how well they use the resources available, and the Admissions office also takes into consideration the differences in grading standards that exist between schools.
A solid secondary school program should emphasize the traditional college preparatory subjects and include at least four courses each year selected from English, mathematics, foreign languages, science, social studies, and art. An effective college entrance program should include:
- English four years with extensive reading and writing.
- Mathematics preferably three years; calculus is desirable.
- Foreign Languages at least two and preferably three or four years of a classical or modern language; three or four years of one language are generally preferable to two years each of two languages.
- Science at least two years of laboratory science; physics is especially recommended for architecture applicants.
- Social Studies at least two years, with emphasis on history.
- Studio Art at least two years, preferably freehand drawing.
Often, students applying to the School of Architecture ask about drafting or technical graphics courses in high school. These courses may be helpful to some students, but most of our students have found courses in freehand drawing better preparation for our program. Required graphics presentation work during the first two years of the Tulane design studio sequence assumes no prior knowledge or experience in graphics or technical drawing.