The Tulane Advantage Program is a pre-arrival summer program for admitted international undergraduates designed to prepare students for their academic career in America and at Tulane through both course work and field trip based activities in New Orleans.
The Tulane Advantage Program consists of five action-packed weeks for new international students to engage in student-led projects, get sneak peeks at different majors Tulane offers, and explore the city of New Orleans.This program is designed to give students the enrichment they need and ensure they will be able to pass the three Tulane requirements that international students often find the most difficult: Race and Inclusion, First-Year Writing, and Global Perspectives. Students can earn three credits in a core requirement course, such as PSYC 1000 Introductory Psych, during this program at no additional cost.
Each week, students learn about New Orleans and the surrounding areas through educational day trips, including exploring the French Quarter and Mardi Gras World, and the area’s wetlands. Throughout the program, students learn about different academic fields, including architecture, business, science, engineering, and American literature, while developing and improving English academic skills. Additionally, students tackle project-based courses that will prepare them to be student-leaders on campus.
Students who join this program move into their residence hall and begin the program in early July. Through academic explorations, students will improve their communication skills and gain confidence in their ability to thrive in America and at Tulane.
Upon completion of the program, students are prepared for success at Tulane both academically and as an international student leader.
Program Details:
- Intensive curriculum consisting of twenty hours of instruction and activities each week. Instruction will be a combination of project-based, content-based, and activities.
- Students may elect to receive special one-on-one instruction to improve English speaking, writing and listening skills.
- On-campus housing is provided throughout the program.
- Students will receive a separate English language I-20 for the duration of this program. Students will receive a different I-20 for the regular semesters upon completion of the program.
- Important dates for Summer 2025 semester:
- July 5 – Arrival and move into residence halls
- July 7 - August 8 – Program dates (mandatory attendance for the entirety of the program)
- August 12 – Estimated date for International Orientation
- August 13 - 17 – Estimated date for university-wide orientation (also known as Hello Hullabaloo)
- August 18 – Fall classes begin
- Students should plan to remain in the U.S. between the end of the Advantage Program and the start of fall classes.
- Estimated five-week program fee: $7,500. Housing fee: $1,330, Health Insurance (if needed through Tulane): $1,374.
If you have any questions about the Tulane Advantage Program, please contact the program’s organizer Robert Connor: rconnor@tulane.edu. For immigration questions related to the program, please contact the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) by email: oiss@tulane.edu
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Do I need to complete a housing application?
Yes, you will need to complete two housing applications: one for summer and one for fall. All the Tulane Advantage students are housed together, so the requested summer dorm is inconsequential. During the last week of the program students will move to their dorm for the year.
When do I pay for this program?
You typically receive the charge for this program on your July bill along with the Fall tuition charges.
What if I do not pass this program?
This program has passed every student in the last five years due to the students’ dedication. That said, students must attend regularly, participate actively, and make progress in order to comply with academic policies and federal immigration regulations.
Are Tulane Advantage Classes for Credit?
Tulane Advantage includes three credit hours for Psychology 1000. This course is a prerequisite for business majors and fulfills the NTC Social and Behavioral Science Core Curriculum requirement. Additionally, passing the Tulane Advantage program is mandatory to matriculate into Tulane in the Fall.
Testimonial:
"The first thing I saw when I landed in New Orleans was one of my professors waiting to pick me up at the airport. That made coming to a new place all alone seem much less strange. When the Advantage Program started, each professor taught us not only the techniques in academic speaking, writing, reading, but also ways to adapt to this new environment. During the day everyone worked hard, but every night there were activities arranged for us or you could go out with new friends. The program provided me a smooth transition from my hometown to America, and from high school into college. The professors became my mentors, and even now that the program has ended, they are still here to support me."
– Elijah Shengbai Zhang