Tulane Fly-In Program (Application Guide)
Tulane’s DIVE, or Diversity & Inclusion Visit Experience, is a campus visit opportunity for prospective first-year undergraduate students. Check Tulane’s official admissions site for the current year’s eligibility, dates, application steps, and travel support. Applying to DIVE is separate from applying to Tulane, and attending does not guarantee admission or academic credit.
Fall can make college planning feel urgent: deadlines are coming, school visits fill calendars, and application work competes with classes. A fly-in visit may help you see whether Tulane fits your goals, but first confirm that the program is offered for your application year and that you meet its current rules.
I advise families to treat a campus visit as a way to gather evidence, not as a shortcut to admission. The most useful outcome is a clearer view of academic fit, student life, and likely cost. Use this guide to plan the DIVE application, check travel terms, and keep the separate college and financial-aid steps on track.
What Tulane’s DIVE program is
DIVE, short for Diversity & Inclusion Visit Experience, is a visit opportunity associated with Tulane Undergraduate Admission. It is aimed at prospective first-year students considering undergraduate study. Its current name, format, eligibility rules, and support may change, so confirm details on Tulane’s official page for your application cycle.
A fly-in visit lets students experience a campus through planned activities. It does not set a major, award credit, waive degree rules, or promise an admissions benefit. Participation is separate from the first-year admission process.
Tulane is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. This is institutional accreditation; it does not mean every degree program has separate specialized accreditation.
Who should check eligibility?
Start with the current DIVE page. Do not rely on a past year’s grade-level rules or application dates. If the page does not make your eligibility clear, contact Tulane Undergraduate Admission and ask before spending time on an application.
The program is intended for prospective first-year undergraduate students. It is not a transfer-student visit program, a graduate admissions program, or a credential. Transfer applicants should use Tulane’s current transfer admissions information instead.
There is no published GPA cutoff you should assume applies to DIVE. Tulane reviews first-year admission applications holistically. Read the current admissions page for academic guidance and testing policy, and do not treat a DIVE application or invitation as an admissions benchmark.
Next step: Confirm the current program is available, check your eligibility, and save the official page’s deadline and contact details.
How to prepare and submit a DIVE application
A strong program application is accurate, complete, and focused on the questions Tulane asks. Before writing, read the current instructions from start to finish. The required fields, documents, and response limits can vary by cycle, so use the live application rather than an old checklist.
Set aside time to explain your interests and what you hope to learn from a visit. Be specific, but do not claim a connection to Tulane that you do not have. Follow the stated directions instead of sending extra materials that were not requested.
| Step | What to do | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Check the program | Open the current DIVE page | Availability, eligibility, deadline |
| 2. Read the application | Note each field and document | Required materials and response limits |
| 3. Draft responses | Explain your interests and visit goals | Accuracy, clarity, and fit with the prompt |
| 4. Submit | Complete the application before the stated deadline | Confirmation of receipt |
| 5. Track college admission separately | Review first-year application instructions | Application plan, documents, testing policy |
| 6. Check aid separately | Review Tulane’s aid instructions | FAFSA and any other required forms or dates |
Do not assume the DIVE application replaces the Common App or any other first-year admission application Tulane accepts. It also does not replace financial-aid forms. Keep separate reminders for the visit, admission, and aid processes.
A simple tracking sheet can reduce missed steps. Use columns for the requirement, official source, deadline, person responsible, and completion date. If a deadline or rule is unclear, ask Tulane rather than using a date from a prior cycle or a third-party search result.
Next step: Submit only what the current DIVE application requests, then confirm that you can see or receive proof of submission.
Travel, expenses, and visit planning
A “fly-in” label does not tell you which costs are covered. The current program terms must say whether airfare, lodging, meals, local transportation, or other expenses are included. Before booking or paying for anything, get the terms in writing and ask about any limits or reimbursement steps.
Travel support can change from year to year. Do not assume a prior participant’s experience applies to your cycle. If a detail is missing, ask the admissions office what you would need to pay, what you must arrange, and when you will receive a decision about support.
| Planning question | Why it matters | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Is airfare covered? | A ticket may be a major cost | Who books it, or is reimbursement offered? |
| Is lodging included? | Overnight plans affect the total cost | What dates and lodging arrangements apply? |
| Are meals covered? | Some meals may fall outside scheduled events | Which meals, if any, are included? |
| Is local transport covered? | Airport and campus travel can add expense | What transport is provided or reimbursed? |
| What happens if plans change? | Travel disruptions may create extra costs | Who should you contact, and what costs are your responsibility? |
Keep copies of written guidance, receipts, and travel confirmations if the program asks you to submit them. Do not book nonrefundable travel until you understand the rules and have any required approval.
As you plan, consider accessibility, health needs, and other arrangements that may affect your visit. Contact the relevant university office or program contact to confirm what support is available. Do not assume that a general visit schedule answers an individual student’s needs.
Next step: Make a simple cost estimate before committing. Include anything the written terms do not clearly cover, and ask Tulane to confirm uncertain items.
How to use the visit to judge academic and personal fit
A campus visit is most useful when you arrive with questions tied to your goals. Review the academic divisions and majors that interest you, then note what you still need to learn. Degree plans vary by school and major; a visit does not establish your major or change its requirements.
Ask how students explore majors, meet prerequisites, choose courses, and get advising. You can also ask about introductory-course access, academic support, class size, housing, accessibility, and student organizations. Details may vary by school or student, so confirm important points with the office responsible.
A practical visit scorecard
During the visit, record what you see and what you need to verify later. Separate a direct answer from an impression. For example, a student’s personal account can help you form a question, but it does not prove that every student has the same experience.
| Area | Question to ask | What to record |
|---|---|---|
| Academics | How do students in this field follow prerequisite sequences? | Course order and advising contact |
| Teaching and support | What academic help is available? | Type of support and how students access it |
| Student life | Which groups or activities match my interests? | Names of groups and next steps to learn more |
| Housing and access | What options or services should I review? | Office or official page to contact |
| Career preparation | What internships or applied learning are offered? | Program details and published outcomes, if available |
Tulane’s institutional accreditation is one relevant quality check, but it does not answer every question about a particular major. For career planning, look at the relevant school’s internships, advising, experiential learning, and published employment or graduate-school outcomes. Check which graduates and years the data cover, and how outcomes were measured.
Two planning scenarios, not admissions predictions
These examples show how to use the visit. They are not reports about specific students or promises about results.
- A student still choosing a field: Use the schedule to compare academic areas, ask how students explore majors, and note which subjects and learning settings appeal to you. Do not feel you must declare a career plan before asking useful questions.
- A student focused on one major: Review the official curriculum before arriving. Ask about prerequisites, course access, advising, and relevant hands-on opportunities. Afterward, compare what you learned with the stated degree requirements.
Building on the visit, review your notes with your family. Mark each point as confirmed, still unclear, or personal impression. Then follow up with the relevant office for details that affect your academic plan.
Next step: Use what you learned to decide whether Tulane belongs on your college list, not to assume that a visit changes your admission chances.
Keep admission and affordability decisions separate
DIVE is a visit opportunity, not the undergraduate application. Applying, receiving an invitation, or attending should not be treated as a guarantee of admission or as a substitute for the required application materials. Follow Tulane’s current first-year admissions instructions for application plans, required documents, and testing policy.
Affordability also needs its own review. Compare your family’s estimated net price, meaning the estimated cost after grants and scholarships, rather than looking only at tuition or the cost of the visit. Review Tulane’s current cost and aid information and complete the required financial-aid forms by the relevant deadlines.
Keep three timelines visible:
- DIVE: current eligibility, application deadline, decision notice, visit dates, and written travel terms.
- Admission: application plan deadline, required materials, testing policy, and status checks.
- Financial aid: FAFSA and any other forms Tulane requires, plus their deadlines and follow-up steps.
If your family needs help understanding aid, contact Tulane’s financial-aid office. Do not assume that program travel support is a grant toward college costs, or that receiving travel support predicts an aid award. These are separate questions.
Next step: Make your college-list decision using academic fit, student experience, and a realistic net-price review. Keep the visit helpful, but do not let it replace the rest of your application plan.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tulane DIVE offered every year?
Check Tulane’s official Undergraduate Admission site for the current application year. Availability, program name, dates, eligibility, and travel support can change. If current details are not posted or are unclear, contact the admissions office before making plans.
Who can apply to DIVE?
The opportunity is aimed at prospective first-year undergraduate students. Confirm the current cycle’s grade-level and other eligibility rules on the official program page. Transfer applicants and graduate applicants should follow the admissions guidance for their own applicant type.
Does DIVE have a minimum GPA?
Do not assume there is a GPA cutoff. Check the current DIVE application for its requirements and Tulane’s first-year admissions page for academic guidance. A DIVE application or invitation is not an admissions benchmark.
Does DIVE guarantee admission to Tulane?
No. A campus visit or program invitation does not guarantee admission. You must submit the separate first-year application and required materials by Tulane’s current deadlines.
Does the DIVE application replace the Common App?
No. Treat the program application and the undergraduate admission application as separate processes. Follow Tulane’s current instructions for accepted application platforms and required documents.
Does Tulane pay for all travel costs?
Not necessarily. The program’s current written terms determine what, if anything, is covered. Confirm airfare, lodging, meals, and local transportation before booking or paying for travel.
Will a DIVE visit help me choose a major?
It can help you gather information, but it does not set a major or change degree rules. Review the curriculum for the areas you are considering and ask about advising, prerequisites, and course planning.
Does attending DIVE provide college credit?
The visit does not award academic credit or waive degree requirements. For course and credit questions, consult the official curriculum and the relevant Tulane academic office.
What should I do if I cannot find a current deadline?
Do not use a prior-year date as a substitute. Contact Tulane Undergraduate Admission and ask for the current cycle’s deadline, eligibility details, and travel terms. Keep the reply with your application records.
How should I compare Tulane’s cost with other colleges?
Compare estimated net price, not just tuition or visit expenses. Review each college’s current cost and financial-aid information, complete required forms, and ask the financial-aid office about items you cannot confirm.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Christopher Langston. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
