Tulane University in New Orleans is a vibe — and it’s a vibe we’re into. The school is a deeply academic and service-oriented community in a city built on the idea of having a good time. The party never stops in New Orleans, and that enthusiasm bleeds into everything at Tulane, including the athletics. Tulane is home to 16 teams in the American Athletic Conference — ten women’s teams and six men’s teams, as well as a few dozen club teams that are open to all.
Tulane isn’t known as a deeply athletic school, and, while they have amazing facilities, they don’t have all the bells and whistles of bigger Division I colleges. This means Tulane can feel fairly accessible for stand-out high school athletes who are looking for a great education in an amazing setting.
In addition to all the normal things an athlete needs to succeed in their sport, like, you know, fields and courts and gyms and trainers, Tulane offers comprehensive Academic Services to the athletes, providing them with support as they balance the expectations of their sport with the requirements of their coursework. The Justice for All initiative promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice in Tulane athletics. There is also a study-abroad program designed specifically for student athletes. Most student athletes have to sacrifice the opportunity to study abroad due to the requirements of their sport, so this is a really exciting program!
Tulane is a highly selective university, and while being a top athlete can give you a boost in the admissions pool — it doesn’t guarantee you a spot. The acceptance rate is about 13%.
In this post, we’ll break down what Tulane is looking for from student athletes, run through the different ways you can be a study athlete at Tulane, and provide you with next steps if you want to continue both your athletic and academic careers at Tulane.
If you’re an athlete eyeing a top college, send us an email. We work with students to present their best and truest selves to coaches and admissions officials.
What is Tulane looking for in Student Athletes?
When Tulane is considering a student athlete for admission, there are a few things they are on the lookout for. The first two shouldn’t come as any surprise. They want student athletes who are committed to their sport and who are excellent at it to boot. Simply liking playing soccer doesn’t make you a collegiate soccer player — and being the star on your team doesn’t mean you’re up to snuff. But, it might.
There is something else they are looking for that’s less obvious, though. Tulane is a deeply community service-minded community, and that permeates through all aspects of the university. Service is baked into the Tulane experience – the curriculum, the community, and the student-athlete experience. Tulane student-athletes ranked #2 nationally for community service hours, and individual teams regularly rank in the top 10 nationally for community service.
Now let’s break down the three most common ways students pursue sports at Tulane.
Recruited Athletes
The athlete recruitment process runs parallel to the standard admissions process. Much of it looks the same, you still need to apply, and you also need to be having conversations with coaches, but students who are being recruited for a particular sport often are also required to submit additional credentials, to apply on an expediated timeline, and, sometimes, to make early commitments.
If you are interested in being recruited as an athlete and you are already in your junior year of high school, the ship has nearly sailed for Tulane. This doesn’t mean it’s not possible, but it’s certainly not likely. If you are in your junior or senior year, you’ll most likely be trying to walk onto a team. Either way, you’ll want to start by connecting with the coaching staff through direct outreach to express your interest and assess where they are at. Think about this like applying for a job or internship — you’re not talking to a friend, and you must be professional.
If you get positive feedback from the coaches, they’ll help guide you towards next steps. No matter what, you’ll still need to apply and will be held to the same academic standards as all other applicants. We’ve worked with many student athletes to help them get into exceptional colleges that are interested in them as team members, but for whom the academic bar was a reach.
Walk-Ons
Walking onto a team is when you aren’t recruited, but are able to earn a spot on a team by showing your skills once you’ve arrived on campus. Some students are invited to try-out as a walk-on because there aren’t spots left for recruits, while others are suggested to try walking on because the coaching staff isn’t entirely positive that they’ll be a good fit for the team. This process should still be initiated prior to submitting your application so that they know you are interested, but you won’t benefit from the ‘boost’ that being a recruited athlete can give you in the admissions process. Sometimes, you don’t even know how you’ll be received until you show up for practice. Regardless of encouragement you get from coaches, you aren’t guaranteed a spot on the team and so need to understand that it’s possible you won’t get to play and may need to look outside of the ‘official’ teams to continue playing your sport in college.
Club Sports
Tulane is home to more than two dozen club sports teams ranging from baseball to ballroom dancing, pickleball to water polo. This is how most students play sports while attending Tulane. The teams are student organized and range from competitive teams that have regular matches or games and compete in regional or national leagues, to pure recreational fun.
Club sports are a great way to continue doing what you love, but they are extracurricular clubs, not official teams. There is nothing wrong with this, but it does mean you won’t have the support systems, such as Academic Services, that are available to recruited or walk-on athletes.
Final Thoughts
If you want to win a championship, Tulane probably isn’t your best bet — for most sports. Men’s baseball did win the 2023 American Baseball Championship, and they’ve won multiple AAC titles in women’s golf, cross country, and they are very, very good at sailing. Oh, and they won their second football conference championship “of any kind since 1949” in 2023.
But if you want an exceptional education and playing time in a sport you love at a school that is investing heavily in becoming an athletic powerhouse, Tulane may be a perfect fit.
If you are a freshman or sophomore athlete looking for a strong team at a top school, we can help.