Tulane interview tips for applicants: how should I prepare and what do interviewers usually look for?

For a Tulane interview, prepare to sound genuinely interested in Tulane specifically, not just generally polished. Interviewers usually look for fit, curiosity, communication skills, and whether you understand what makes Tulane distinct, especially its strong New Orleans connection, emphasis on community engagement, and flexible academics. They are not usually looking for perfect scripted answers, so being conversational matters more than sounding rehearsed.

You should be ready for the basics: why Tulane, why your academic interests, what you do outside class, and how you contribute to a community. For Tulane, it helps to mention concrete things like the city of New Orleans as part of the learning environment, service opportunities, undergraduate research, study abroad, or specific programs and majors that interest you.

A good way to prepare is to make a short list of stories about yourself that show initiative, leadership, curiosity, resilience, or impact. These can come from a club, job, family responsibility, class project, volunteer work, or a small personal moment.

Prepare thoughtful questions for the interviewer too. Ask things like how students connect with New Orleans, what kinds of students thrive at Tulane, or how undergraduates actually use a program you are interested in. Avoid questions easily answered on the website.

Right before the interview, review your application, know your resume activities, test your tech if it is virtual, and practice out loud with another person.