In general, the professors at Tulane are superb instructors. Almost all of them will take time out of their day to help a student in need, and many try to keep students aware of his or her progress.
However, don't think these learned men and women are there to hold your hand - learning is definitely the responsibility of the student. As a research university, Tulane exists for a reason other to churn out liberal arts degrees. Tulane's teaching goal, as far as I can tell, is to produce self sufficient individuals who will be valuable to their respective field.
Developing discipline is very important - I, like another reviewer, may or may not have played 5 hours of pool when I could have been learning the intricacies of cellular respiration.
Do you enjoy the experience at your school?
Bursting at the seams with culture, New Orleans is a phenomenal city to live in. It's walkable, though the sidewalks are a little worse for wear Uptown near Tulane's campus. The streetcar will take you from campus to the French Quarter for $1.25 in usually less than an hour, and the ride itself can be pretty interesting. The Quarter is fantastic at any time of year, not just Mardi Gras. Actually, it's better at not Mardi Gras. Campus is directly across from Audubon Park, a great place for picnics or to go jogging, if you're so inclined. The area immediately around campus is chock full of interesting cafes and hangouts, and finding them is a little like a map-less treasure hunt - walk around, see what you find.
Tulane itself is pretty great - campus is beautiful, housing isn't the worst I've seen, and the newer, more expensive buildings are actually quite nice. Majestic stone buildings lend to the grandeur, while the more modern architecture of the student center is refreshing after the collegiate quad. Grub is passable and the student body as a whole is friendly and diverse enough for anyone to find their niche.
Finally, student life at Tulane is anything but boring. Between intramural sports, the Riley Rec center, Greek life, about a bazillion student organizations, and just hanging around with fellow students, being bored is pretty unlikely. Unless you want to be bored. That's cool too.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Tulane is a private university, with a pretty good academic reputation which is only getting better, as the school is getting more and more applicants and can thus be more selective. It's been called a baby Ivy, and though I can't vouch for this statement's accuracy, I can say one thing: Tulane is expensive. Real expensive. They throw scholarships like candy to promising freshmen, but beware: tuition, as at most other institutions, is going up. As students progress, it's likely financial aid will decrease. As far as bang for your buck, it's a great school. If you have great grades and a enough money to go to your local state school, you're in the clear. Tulane will take care of you.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Bring a bike. If it breaks, the Benevolent Society can help you out. Additionally, find and befriend someone with a car - motor vehicles, while generally unnecessary in a city like New Orleans (sidewalks, buses, streetcars, and cabs are all readily available), are always a good thing to have access to in emergencies.
Don't live in Sharpe or Monroe. Please heed me on this.
Try to pick your roommate. Though I have heard of random matches made in heaven, I've also heard some horror stories.
Financial Aid is, sorry to say, a nightmare. Become best friends with your adviser, don't be afraid to ask questions, and do your research. Read the Terms and Conditions, and find out what Financial Aid covers and doesn't cover.
You register for classes for a reason. Show up. Teachers notice when you're not there, even in the big lectures.
Try to bring some AP credits with you.
I'm beating a dead horse, but sign up for lots of activities. You never know which one will really strike your fancy or expose you to some awesome people. Additionally, being involved gives you more contacts, which are really valuable: knowing someone in the student employment office might help you out someday.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
As I said earlier, Tulane has tons of diversity. If you like sports, they have sports. Quiz bowl? Got it. Want to go Greek? Not sure? Spring rush gives you a semester to acclimatize. There is amateur theater, band, orchestra, science clubs, culture clubs, juggling clubs, you name it, there's a club, and if there's not, grab a couple other people, submit a form, and you're official.
With all this extracurricular activity going on, the most successful students are those who can focus, compartmentalize, and weigh their obligations wisely. Being able to self-discipline is extremely important, and not only when it comes to academics. Tulane is in New Orleans, after all. The unofficial motto is Work hard, Play harder. People who embrace this motto without losing sight of their academic career will have more than a great college experience. It'll be the time of their lives.
In general, the professors at Tulane are superb instructors. Almost all of them will take time out of their day to help a student in need, and many try to keep students aware of his or her progress. However, don't think these learned men and women are there to hold your hand - learning is definitely the responsibility of the student. As a research university, Tulane exists for a reason other to churn out liberal arts degrees. Tulane's teaching goal, as far as I can tell, is to produce self sufficient individuals who will be valuable to their respective field. Developing discipline is very important - I, like another reviewer, may or may not have played 5 hours of pool when I could have been learning the intricacies of cellular respiration.
Bursting at the seams with culture, New Orleans is a phenomenal city to live in. It's walkable, though the sidewalks are a little worse for wear Uptown near Tulane's campus. The streetcar will take you from campus to the French Quarter for $1.25 in usually less than an hour, and the ride itself can be pretty interesting. The Quarter is fantastic at any time of year, not just Mardi Gras. Actually, it's better at not Mardi Gras. Campus is directly across from Audubon Park, a great place for picnics or to go jogging, if you're so inclined. The area immediately around campus is chock full of interesting cafes and hangouts, and finding them is a little like a map-less treasure hunt - walk around, see what you find. Tulane itself is pretty great - campus is beautiful, housing isn't the worst I've seen, and the newer, more expensive buildings are actually quite nice. Majestic stone buildings lend to the grandeur, while the more modern architecture of the student center is refreshing after the collegiate quad. Grub is passable and the student body as a whole is friendly and diverse enough for anyone to find their niche. Finally, student life at Tulane is anything but boring. Between intramural sports, the Riley Rec center, Greek life, about a bazillion student organizations, and just hanging around with fellow students, being bored is pretty unlikely. Unless you want to be bored. That's cool too.
Tulane is a private university, with a pretty good academic reputation which is only getting better, as the school is getting more and more applicants and can thus be more selective. It's been called a baby Ivy, and though I can't vouch for this statement's accuracy, I can say one thing: Tulane is expensive. Real expensive. They throw scholarships like candy to promising freshmen, but beware: tuition, as at most other institutions, is going up. As students progress, it's likely financial aid will decrease. As far as bang for your buck, it's a great school. If you have great grades and a enough money to go to your local state school, you're in the clear. Tulane will take care of you.
Bring a bike. If it breaks, the Benevolent Society can help you out. Additionally, find and befriend someone with a car - motor vehicles, while generally unnecessary in a city like New Orleans (sidewalks, buses, streetcars, and cabs are all readily available), are always a good thing to have access to in emergencies. Don't live in Sharpe or Monroe. Please heed me on this. Try to pick your roommate. Though I have heard of random matches made in heaven, I've also heard some horror stories. Financial Aid is, sorry to say, a nightmare. Become best friends with your adviser, don't be afraid to ask questions, and do your research. Read the Terms and Conditions, and find out what Financial Aid covers and doesn't cover. You register for classes for a reason. Show up. Teachers notice when you're not there, even in the big lectures. Try to bring some AP credits with you. I'm beating a dead horse, but sign up for lots of activities. You never know which one will really strike your fancy or expose you to some awesome people. Additionally, being involved gives you more contacts, which are really valuable: knowing someone in the student employment office might help you out someday.
As I said earlier, Tulane has tons of diversity. If you like sports, they have sports. Quiz bowl? Got it. Want to go Greek? Not sure? Spring rush gives you a semester to acclimatize. There is amateur theater, band, orchestra, science clubs, culture clubs, juggling clubs, you name it, there's a club, and if there's not, grab a couple other people, submit a form, and you're official. With all this extracurricular activity going on, the most successful students are those who can focus, compartmentalize, and weigh their obligations wisely. Being able to self-discipline is extremely important, and not only when it comes to academics. Tulane is in New Orleans, after all. The unofficial motto is Work hard, Play harder. People who embrace this motto without losing sight of their academic career will have more than a great college experience. It'll be the time of their lives.