How to Get Into Tulane Medical School: Requirements and Strategies
/Learn Tulane Medical School ranking, acceptance rate, and admissions strategies, plus a sample response to the “Why Tulane Medical School” essay prompt
Tulane medical school is one of 3 medical schools in the state of louisiana
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Part 1: Introduction
Planning to apply to medical school? Drawn to the American South or thriving New Orleans? If you’re a gifted premed, Tulane University School of Medicine could be a great option. Tulane Medical School has served New Orleans and Louisiana more widely since its founding in 1834 and has produced countless leaders in the field of medicine. Its research programs and faculty have been recognized worldwide for their contributions, and receiving a degree from Tulane will carry the prestige of one the South’s most vaunted institutions.
Tulane Medical School’s admissions standards are rigorous, but the 190 students who make the cut each year will find themselves in the midst of exciting research in one of America’s most vibrant cities. How do these future doctors set themselves apart from the pool of other applicants? By making an impression in their supplemental essays and interviews.
Many of those applying will have stats that align with Tulane’s average GPA and MCAT score. But if you can manage to articulate the qualitative aspects of your experience and why they prepare you for Tulane’s MD program, you can give yourself a leg up. Here, we’ll look at opportunities and strategies for writing the best possible supplemental essays, and we’ll provide pointers for your Tulane Medical School interview.
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Part 2: Tulane Medical School MD programs
There are several paths to the MD degree at Tulane:
The traditional, four-year MD program
The MD/MBA
The MD/MPH
The MD/MS in Bioethics
The MD/PhD
You can explore their dual degree options here.
Tulane Medical School tuition and scholarships
For 2024–2025, tuition and fees for Tulane Medical School run $75,824. Adding room, board, and other miscellaneous expenses brings the estimate to $111,868 for a student living on campus.
Tulane offers students a variety of financial aid packages to offset the steep cost. These include merit- and need-based scholarships, as well as service-based scholarships, such as the ROTC Scholarship Program. There are also outside scholarship opportunities, as well as a number of subsidized and unsubsidized loans, all of which are explained in Tulane’s comprehensive graduate financial aid guide.
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Part 3: How hard is it to get into Tulane Medical School?
Tulane Medical School admissions statistics
By reviewing the admissions statistics for the class of 2027, we can get a sense of Tulane’s expectations when it comes to prospective students:
Applications: 15,708
Matriculants: 190
Average GPA: 3.64
Average MCAT score: 510
Tulane states that approximately 600 applicants are invited to interview each year. Given the enormous number of applications it received in its most recent application cycle, we can estimate that its acceptance rate is in the ballpark of 2–3 percent.
(Suggested reading: Average GPA and MCAT Score for Every Medical School)
Tulane Medical School admissions requirements
Tulane recommends that applications complete coursework in the following areas in order to be strong candidates for admission:
Biology
Chemistry
Mathematics
Laboratory or field experiences
Behavioral and social sciences
Expository writing
Statistics
Psychology
Genetics
Physics
Sociology
Biochemistry
Furthermore, applicants should have taken the MCAT within three years of matriculation. For the 2024–2025 application cycle, this means an MCAT score achieved no earlier than 2022.
While these prerequisites are important, applicants should pay special attention to the admissions committee’s desired qualities. As per the website, candidates should possess what the school describes as a balance of “humanism and academic rigor.”
There’s no better place to showcase this balance than in your secondary essays. Because Tulane is looking for future leaders in the medical field, they will want to see that your qualifications go above and beyond the basic prerequisites and that you’ve had an array of experiences that will contribute to both the intellectual climate of the school and its diversity and commitment to compassionate service.
(Suggested reading: Medical School Requirements: The Definitive Guide)
Gaining experience: Holistically aligning yourself with Tulane’s desired qualities
While your secondary essays are the perfect place to express your passion for medicine and your fit with everything Tulane, you’ll need to gather experiences to back up your passion for medicine that you can draw on to write those essays.
You might know that extracurriculars play a big part in this, especially clinical volunteering and shadowing. But what are the right extracurriculars for Tulane? As mentioned above, the school desires ‘humanism and rigor,’ but their mission statement is even more enlightening. Tulane 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.”
Some terms stand out, such as “healthy communities through discovery,” “highest quality patient care,” and “distinguished clinical and scientific leaders.” With this in mind, we’ve listed some advice for seeking extracurricular opportunities that align with these values.
Healthy communities through discovery
Participating in research projects, particularly those focused on community health, health disparities, or public health initiatives is a great way to align with this ideal. Check with the premed or pre-health advising office at your school for assistance finding programs where you can give of your time and refine your skills. For example, many schools have summer undergraduate research programs where you might join a team of faculty researchers. You might even seek out student organizations or local initiatives focused on addressing the health needs of underserved populations. Furthermore, try thinking outside the box a little bit. For instance, campus and/or government organizations often conduct public policy research to make recommendations to officials. You may be able to get involved gathering data about health outcomes and assist with making recommendations yourself from the data you have analyzed. This could highlight your leadership skills as well!
Highest quality patient care
Gaining experience shadowing physicians is critical to get into any med school. To stand out on your application to Tulane, aim for shadowing doctors in various specialties to gain a deep understanding of patient interaction and the diverse aspects of healthcare delivery.
You may even consider becoming a certified EMT or medical scribe to broaden your experiences and knowledge. These positions may also result in a substantial amount of direct patient exposure. Managing interactions with patients is a key ingredient in providing high quality patient care.
Distinguished clinical and scientific leaders
Here’s where your leadership skills really come into play. As mentioned above, participating in local initiatives or public policy research is a great way to highlight this, but to be distinguished, you need to remember that mere participation is not enough.
Take on leadership roles in student organizations related to healthcare and medicine. Initiate or pursue projects that address public health challenges to set yourself apart. This may sound daunting, but it doesn’t have to be a huge, groundbreaking enterprise. For instance, you may volunteer at a local community clinic that maintains programs serving the underprivileged. Instead of starting a new program yourself, consider ways you might extend or enhance a currently running program to better serve more people. A bit of creative thinking in this regard and help distinguish you on your application.
These are just a few ideas to help get your mind working. Remember, your time as a premed is limited and involves juggling many responsibilities. The qualities listed above involve plenty of overlap and one activity may be a great way to showcase more than one of them.
Tulane Medical School application timeline
Here’s a timeline that you can use to plan your AMCAS application to Tulane, as well as the other required materials:
May 1, 2024: AMCAS application opens
May 28, 2024: AMCAS application can be submitted
July 2024–February 2025: Interview invitations sent
August 1, 2024: AMCAS application deadline for Early Decision
August 1, 2024: Tulane secondary application deadline for Early Decision
August 2024–March 2025: Interviews conducted
October 1, 2024: Early Decision applicants notified
October 1, 2024: Regular Decision application deadline
October 15, 2024: AMCAS application deadline
October 15, 2024: Admissions decisions begin to be released
November 1, 2024: Tulane secondary application deadline for Regular Decision
Tulane employs rolling admissions, so it’s in your best interest to submit your AMCAS application as early as possible. Once you do so, you will receive a secondary application from Tulane within a week. Similarly, we recommend completing your secondary application quickly for the best chances of acceptance.
(Suggested reading: The Ideal Medical School Application Timeline)
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Part 4: Tulane Medical School secondary application essays (examples included)
Once you’ve submitted your AMCAS application, you’ll be able to devote your attention to Tulane’s secondary essays. Below, you’ll find the 2023–2024 secondary essay prompts, as well as strategies and examples. The examples are based on composites of students we’ve worked with in nearly 20 years of advising.
Question 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)
This is an iteration of the of the “Why us?” prompt. You’ll of course want to do your research, but you also don’t want the admissions committee to think you’re mimicking the school’s mission statement or that your knowledge of Tulane’s programs is based only on a Google search.
The strongest responses to this prompt will tell a compelling story about the applicant and her experiences, both how they’ve prepared her for medical school generally and how they make her particularly well-suited for Tulane.
If you have a personal connection to Tulane Medical School, this is the place to mention it. Let’s say you grew up visiting relatives in New Orleans, and you have fond memories of visiting Tulane’s campus. Or perhaps you have a family member, friend, or mentor who attended Tulane Medical School or works at the hospital. Mentioning the connection here, along with the research and intellectual interests that make you a good match for Tulane, can only strengthen your response.
Example:
I was too young in 2005 to remember much of Katrina, though I remember rain, wind, and sitting in the bathtub with my mother at night. I remember the fear. Luckily, our neighborhood was not majorly affected. But my grandparents lived in the Bywater. They came to stay with us when their house flooded.
They ended up staying for several months, and when my grandmother had to receive dialysis treatments, it was at Tulane Medical Center. I went with her and my dad, and this was the first time I can remember being conscious of my desire to pursue medicine. I’d heard stories about the heroic doctors and nurses who cared for patients and were eventually evacuated by helicopter in the aftermath of the hurricane. For me, the name “Tulane” will always be associated with compassion for the place I call home, and that’s one of the reasons I’m applying.
What makes this a good response?
The student recounted a formative personal experience that took place within Tulane’s immediate community. This enabled the student’s response to transition into why they chose medicine as a career and why Tulane, specifically, is a fit for them.
Question 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)
Question 3: Who knows you best and how would they describe you? (150 words)
Question 4: Please list any leadership positions (clubs, organizations, paid work) you may have held. (100 words)
Question 5: Please list your hobbies and major non-academic interests. (150 words)
Question 6: (OPTIONAL) 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)
Question 7: (OPTIONAL) In what ways did the COVID-19 pandemic alter/interrupt your medical school application? (No limit)
Gain instant access to med school secondary essay examples for every single prompt required by every medical school in the United States and Canada. Subscribe today to lock in the current investments, which will be increasing after May 31 for new subscribers.
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Part 5: Tulane Medical School interview
If Tulane Medical School invites you to interview, you can rest assured knowing your on-paper credentials have impressed the admissions committee. Now, for the final stage of the process, they want to meet you to see if your social and interpersonal skills are equally impressive.
Tulane’s uses the standard interview format (non-MMI). In the 2024–2025 application cycle, all interviews will be held virtually.
You’ll want to do plenty of research on Tulane Medical School and its faculty and programs beforehand. Though broad knowledge is fine, your interlocutors will be most interested in your particular experiences and how they’ve led you to Tulane.
Let’s look at some common interview questions we’ve gathered from our research on Tulane School of Medicine.
What is your overall goal in a career in medicine and how can Tulane help you achieve this goal?
Tell me more about your volunteer and laboratory work.
What have you been doing since you graduated?
What was your favorite subject in college and why?
Tell me about a time you interacted with or worked with a culture other than your own, what were the positives/negatives and what did you learn from the experience?
What do you like to do for fun?
Tell me why you are distinguishable as an applicant and what you can contribute to the class?
Please tell me about yourself.
Tell me about your clinical experiences.
Why Tulane? How can a degree from this school affect your life 5 years in the future?
When preparing for your interview, you’ll want to think through your responses to questions such as these. Having structured and thoughtful answers to questions like, “What is your overall goal in a career in medicine?” signals to the admissions committee that you’ve reflected on all aspects of the profession and you’re sure it’s for you.
Be sure to remain consistent with what you’ve listed in your essays and application materials. If you’ve put down a particular research experience, for instance, you should be prepared to talk about it at length, perhaps drawing a connection to similar programs at Tulane. Focusing on one or two programs or areas in depth will be far more impressive than broad, shallow knowledge of many programs.
Finally, if you have a personal connection to Tulane, especially if you grew up New Orleans or Louisiana, be sure to mention it. It may not come up organically during the actual interview, but there will be downtime for casual conversation.
(Suggested reading: How to Ace Your Medical School Interview)
Final thoughts
Tulane University has the name recognition and status of the South’s most esteemed colleges, and Tulane Medical School is just as prestigious. Applying can be stressful, even with excellent test scores and grades.
Tulane’s supplemental essays are designed to reveal a candidate’s qualitative assets—the sort of traits that, by nature, can’t be captured in test scores. By presenting yourself as a future leader in your supplemental essays, someone who will advance the medical field and be guided by compassion, you can improve your chances of admission.
About the Author
Dr. Shirag Shemmassian is the Founder of Shemmassian Academic Consulting and one of the world's foremost experts on medical school admissions. For nearly 20 years, he and his team have helped thousands of students get into medical school using his exclusive approach.