Tulane University of Louisiana Top Questions

New Orleans often evoke different sentiments when it's brought up in conversation due to the havocs caused by Katrina. But whether it's fear and caution, or pity and empathy, New Orleans is on its way to recovery. This city is know for its easy-going lifestyle and the music for the soul. New Orleans has so much to offer, for students, for tourists, even those who are wary of its audacity and notoriety. My freshman year at Tulane can best be described as "busy". I've never stopped, and sleep has become archaic or a vague memory. Coming from a small town, I wasn't used to so much people at first (and Tulane is not even a big campus) and so much music, noise, and downright tastes of New Orleans. But once I got more involved, I realized how easy it was to adjust and become New Orleans. Alcohol is easily acquired here, but it's only the new out of towners who binge and get wasted. The locals take alcohol as a small part of everyday life; drinking is a pleasure in that relaxed way, not to be confused with hardcore games that college kids have made up.

Best thing: New Orleans and the nice weather It's just the right size. People always freak about about Katrina when they hear I go to Tulane. I spend most of my time in the residence halls with my friends. Not a college town. I think Tulane's administration is money-centered. The biggest recent controversy is some fraternity members being arrested for hazing. There is not a lot of school pride, at least not related to sports. We're very apathetic. I'll always remember Bill Clinton coming to Tulane for CGIU. People always complain about our service learning requirement. It's so disorganized and looks good on paper but really isn't.

Tulane's a great population size; you see people you know everywhere yet you continue to meet new people. Great bar scene, great Greek following as far as night life goes. Your first semester will be a shitshow if you're a guy, as all the fraternities dirty-rush (official rush isn't til spring) and all the parties are free. If you're a girl, you're welcome at just about any fraternity at just about any time. New Orleans is a great place to go to school, everything is reasonably accessible with the streetcar up and running again. Party scene and music are excellent, weather's great all year. Administration is Tulane's weak point. By the time you're in your second year you'll realize that the school doesn't care about its students. Several post-Katrina rules are hard on students, such as mandatory campus housing. My recommendation is to get off-campus as soon as possible and become as independent as you can about your studies, because you won't find much help from the school's hired advisors. Sports are virtually nonexistent. Baseball is historically fairly good. Football games are held in the Superdome, which is depressing because it gives an empty feel to the stadium when the lower bowl isn't even filled.

The math department is terrible. I can't believe Cowen actually allows students to live in Irby and Phelps while he lives in a mansion. The school itself is descent. People are obsessed with Greek life here, which is pretty ridiculous since we live in a city where there's a million things to do. A lot of students here are stuck in a Tulane bubble. New Orleans is the best city you'll ever live in.

Being in a sorority or fraternity makes the school seem a lot smaller--you're in a bubble. It's good though because you see the same people out and get to know them. Tulane is gorgeous and fun and there's always something to do.

It's a large institution with excellent resources and academics. Students take great pride in their alma mater. The school is in the heart of Uptown Louisiana, which is one of the nicest areas of the city. There's always something to do here, and students take great advantage of that. Work hard, play hard seems to be the motto. Each students spends a lot of time in the university center and their respective schools (Boggs for science majors, Bschool for business majors, the archi building for architecture majors, etc.)

Tulane is definitely a social environment, and there is no doubt that it has a hard-partying reputation. Unfortunately, many Tulane students like to stay within the "Tulane Bubble," and it seems that few venture outside of the bars and drink specials that they are familiar with. Although there is a lot of excitement in and around campus, it's definitely important for students to remember that they are in city that is absolutely like no other. Although I am a member of a sorority, it bothers me that there is so much negativity attached to Greek organizations. I agree that a few of the fraternities and sororities are deserving of their bad reputations, but it gives the Tulane community a wrong idea about Greek Life in general.

Tulane is a fantastic school. I absolutely love going to school here - even when I can't stand it. I say this because Tulane is a very challenging school, and sometimes I just don't like school. It also gets very hot here. Oh, and it rains a lot, too. I mean, a lot. If it rains, it pours. For hours. But if it floods enough, classes are cancelled for the day! One of the hardest things to get used to when I started Tulane was that all of my friends at other schools talked about how easy everything was and how they were making really good grades without even trying. At Tulane, it's hard work. The classes are intense, the workload is large, and it's difficult (but doable) to get A's. So when your friends try to compare themselves to you through grades, you have to stop them and say, "I go to Tulane, there is no comparison." Which is kind of cool, when it comes down to it. Tulane is just better. There are tons of things to do on campus - there is a very active social life created by all the organizations at the school. New Orleans offers lots of great entertainment, as well, from live music to great food to fantastic festivals and events. If I weren't so busy doing schoolwork all the time, I could do something new in the city everyday and never run out of things to do. The only thing that is frustrating is that there is not a lot of student enthusiasm for the events on campus - there are lots of awesome programs everyday and hardly anyone ever goes to the programs. Low turnout tends to make events a little less cool. When I tell people I go to Tulane, they are almost always really impressed. Because, if you know your schools, you know that Tulane is a very good school with a lot of great professors and a very prestigious history, as well as a remarkable present life. And you can always talk about New Orleans (people love asking whether or not there is a city "down there" anymore) to keep the conversation going. There are going to be issues on any campus, and the case is no different from Tulane. Sometimes the wireless internet doesn't work. Sometimes the financial aid system has a glitch and I can't sign up for my classes when I'm supposed to. But most of the services on campus are willing to help out, and are understanding of their own shortcomings. And if there is a real problem at Tulane, the students' voices are actually heard.

Tulane is just the right size. Not too big. Not too small. I meet new people all the time but I also have a great small group of close friends. New Orleans is definitely a great place for college kids. Its so fun to go downtown and listen to music or walk around and take a little break at cafe du monde. But Tulane's campus always has lots of stuff going on and its never boring to just stay uptown.

This school is one that I am happy to attend. The professors seem to be focused on teaching their students and many of them have been some of the best teachers I've ever had. The weak points of the school, I would have to say, would be all of the cuts it did post Katrina...They knocked out a whole lot of programs, very good ones too.