Tulane University of Louisiana Top Questions

I’d tell my high school self to be prepared for personal insecurity, and to combat it. Be yourself—and don’t be shy about it. There will be so many new influences and people from every conceivable background suddenly crammed into your mental and emotional life. There will be a huge pressure to conform, but to be different, to be quirky, but fit seamlessly into the group. But never forget that you’re an individual with a past and an identity. Your experiences will mold you and shape you, your opinions may change as you learn new things, but never be ashamed of what you believe or who you are. Your individuality is your greatest strength. Diversity isn’t just different skin colors or economic backgrounds mixing—it involves personality traits and ideas too. Be Diverse. Be You.

Dear Katie, Graduation isn't the end, it's the beginning. Someone will tell you those words in the next few weeks, but you aren't going to believe them. But here I am, two years later, telling you the same thing. You're so worried right now about leaving everything and everyone you know and starting over in a new place, but you have nothing to fear. You are smart, level-headed, friendly, and you will do just fine. Yes, cherish the remaining time you have with your high school friends, but don't cling to them when you depart. New doors are opening ahead; you're going to miss them if you don't turn your head around and look forwards instead of backwards. You're about to enter the most exciting years of your life this far. Your whole life is ahead of you. Take the lessons you learned from the past eighteen years and become a better person. Take chances. Leave the cave. Dare to disturb the universe. With love and respect, Katie

I have been exposed to so many new and challenging things, all of which have helped shape me into who I am today. College was a big step for me, as I was born and raised in a town that's 1/3 the size of the Tulane University campus. However, I believe this step was necessary as it exposed me to customs, beliefs, and ethnicities that I had never come into contact with before. College is an invaluable experience, and I believe that choosing the right college to attend is half the battle. It has to mesh well with who you are as a person, and who you hope to become. Tulane has provided me with the support I need to prosper in an environment worlds away from the one I was accustomed to. I immersed myself in challenging classes, but met new people and made lifelong friends in the process. I am looking forward to continuing my educational experience at Tulane, and discovering what other experiences await me.

One word that would describe my college experience is growth. In my move from California to Lousiana, I was exposed to a different city and culture, which I have grown to love. At Tulane, I was able to play basketball at the highest level and develop my skills to my personal best. I became C-USA New Comer of the year ,13th in the nation for three point percentage, and a Conference Champion. Also, I became the Vice President of the recycling club at Tulane and helped the growth of the club. We worked on informing the students of the importance of recylcing. Also, I spoke to residents about Katrina and helped revive the city by planting new trees. I enjoyed being a "Big Sister" to a freshman because I helped her get accostumed to a new life. By interning at UNITY, (organization for homeless), I grew into an even more giving person. Now that I am a graduate of Tulane University, I realize the value of my attendance since I am a more intelligent and better human being overall. In looking to pursue my masters, I am thrilled for the new growth of the next chapter in my journey.

I am not going to be the usual cliché and write about how college has taught me to be more independent, though it has. What I have found to be much more valuable to my life is the way in which attending Tulane has forced me to explore, both my myself and my surroundings, and has constantly encouraged me to push and expand my comfort zone. I have learned that I am capable of being completely independent in everything I do, but perhaps more importantly have also realized that some people are always willing to support you; whether you believe you need it or not. Exploring New Orleans has left me with a powerful thirst to learn about new cultures and an undying desire to travel and discover the cultures of the world. Most importantly college has taught me how to bring balance into my life. That asking for help when I need it actually won't shatter my new found sense of independence; that it is important to discover new cultures but never forget where you came from and how you got to be where you are today. For me, college has been an amazing journey of self-exploration.

Truth be told, my only main attraction to Tulane while applying to college was the free application. When it ended up being my only option financially, I was less than thrilled. Two years in, I now laugh at how much I was overlooking about my college experience. Yes, Tulane has aspects that I wish I could change-- it is incredibly racially homogenous, and the social life becomes stifling as a result. I watch people, however, from all over the country come and fall head over heels in love with New Orleans, and it changes everything. New Orleans is a child that we all care for, and the people, the history, the suffering and inequality still so evident, the uncertainty of the future-- all of these factors give students a unique role in the fate of a city that allows us to grow up in profound ways. Mardi Gras aside, the city has changed my life--- and I could not be more indebted to it. Every time I step foot into the city I am learning justice, politics, grief, celebration, and most of all, how to enjoy every step of life in ways that could never be learned through books.

I've learned how to manage my time most certainly but I've also learned what it's like to really get a valuable edcuation. I've met many different people and I meet more every day. Everyone here has their own opinion and I truly enjoy the ability to share my own. I feel more empowered and so very lucky to get this experience.

Tulane University has provided me not only with the resources for a better education, but has exposed me to a completely new world that has in turn changed me as an individual. Located in New Orleans, the university strives to reveal the city?s unique and awe-inspiring culture to its students, bringing local staples to campus and encouraging students to venture through the historically rich streets of the city. Tulane further pushes its students to get involved and develop a desire to aid those in need and give back to the community through 20-hour and 40-hour service learning requirements necessary to graduate. Tulane has provided me with every outlet necessary to get in touch with my inner New Orleanean, giving me an entirely new sense of community and place in society. The esteemed professors have not only managed to instill knowledge in me, but have inspired me to take my life in a significantly new direction, a direction that focuses on the needs of others, the environment, and the planet as a whole. This institution has been the catalyst in the unearthing of me as an individual and my appetite to better myself and society.

Attending college has been a turning point in my life. Not only have I obtained further academic knowledge, I feel that I have already grown tremendously in the seven short months that I have been at Tulane University. Although I was very nervous about being away from home, I have quickly adjusted and feel now that I have the confidence to do most anything. I think that is more valuable than most rote knowledge that I can ever grasp. I have met people from many different cultures, states and countries. I have sharpened my social skills of tolerance, patience and open-mindedness. I also feel that the professors at Tulane truly care about the students and it is more of a partnership in which we are involved. They see the importance of educating the entire person, not just forcing facts into your mind. They continue to teach me life lessons that I will take with me wherever I go. I cannot say enough about what I have obtained in my short time here, and what makes it even more exciting is that I have three more years to grow. Not many people get this sort of opportunity.

Looking back in retrospect, the biggest piece of advice I would give myself as a high school senior would be to broaden my horizons, and not have such a set plan for my life. I came into college with a whole ten year plan. I knew, or so I thought, that going to medical school and becoming a doctor was my life goal. I had a detailed list of how I would attain this goal. First semester freshman year I took both Cell Biology and Chemistry and it was the worst situation I had ever experienced. I quickly realized that being a doctor and going to medical school were just not going to work for me. Now I'm in my second semester of my freshman year and am devestated and lost because I have no idea what direction I want my life to go in, and that is a scary feeling. Now I'm not saying it's not good to have a plan, because it is. My advice is to prepare yourself for the change, be ready for it, and have some back up plans as well.