Tulane University | Student Reviews | Best College

Student Profile

Stephanie

Class: Sophomore
Major: English
Gender: F

High School: Little Rock Central High School
Transfer Student: N

Big Picture

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.

Academic Life

The classes at Tulane are my favorite classes I've ever taken. I have only had one or two classes with more than 20 students in them. Most of the classes are small and intimate, and the professors are top notch. I know all of my professors, and they all know me (I call many of them by first name). When I see them on campus, I usually stop to talk for a few minutes, there is just a really good connection between students and faculty at Tulane. There are lots of different types of classes, and of course, what you take depends on your major. I am double majoring in English and Anthropology, so I get to take a wide variety of subjects and class types. I've had lecture classes, workshops, discussion classes - there are many ways to teach and learn at Tulane. There is a list of core requirements that all students are required to take, and that can sometimes be difficult when all you want to do is take fun art classes. But you have to understand that it is important to have a good basis in knowledge before you can specialize in anything else. I have always been graded fairly in all of my classes, and most professors are very understanding of certain situations and really take the time to consider individual students. Which makes it a very good idea to get to know the professors and to go to class and participate. If they know you, chances are your grade will be better. Just talking to a professor, voicing your concerns, can boost your grade. If you are on the cusp, you just might get bumped up a grade for active participation. The course load is hard, there is a lot of work involved, but there is time to do it. Time management is key, and understanding your priorities and your schedule can help a lot. Just try to stay on top of things and the work isn't too bad. It's one of the top schools for a reason - the best professors, the best students, the hardest classes, and the best grades. It's got to happen somehow, right? So just do the work, no big deal.

Student Body

I can't lie about this section. I have some issues with Tulane's student body. I was the president of the Multicultural club in my high school, so I obviously embrace other cultures and personal ideologies. Tulane is almost entirely white people. Many of them are wealthy, or at least they aren't hurting for money. There are some black students, most of whom only associate with each other. There is an Eastern Asian population, but they too stick together. We have a small Indian group of students, and - you guessed it - they only hang out with each other. I have a Turkish friend who is a Freshman, and he and two other girls are the only Turkish people at Tulane. There is diversity, but whether or not that diversity exceeds paper and statistics is another question. There are lots of multicultural things to do around campus, but turnout is low (not any lower than other events, though). There doesn't seem to be any overt racism or anything, but you can tell that there are differences. Different races tend to hang out together and people from certain socio-economic backgrounds hang out together. Of course, these cliques may be a result of the different organizations people become affiliated with, as well. Fraternities and Sororities tend to have wealthier students, and the various cultural groups will of course attract that culture or race. Personally, I am active in many different groups and I do not hold myself to any sort of "clique" or group. I have some very good friends in Theater, and I always perform in the Indian Association's dance events. I attend Green Club meetings and the Vietnamese Association functions. There is no reason that anyone should feel isolated from other groups, and I don't isolate myself from them. I don't judge, and neither does anyone else. It is just personal preference, and most of the students at Tulane tend to prefer to socialize with specific groups. I don't find this much different to my high school, to tell you the truth. I don't want to paint too terrible a picture, of course. This is not the only way things work. You will undoubtedly become close with your dormmates, whoever they are. I dated an Egyptian and one of my best friends is half Vietnamese and half Chinese. There aren't any social restrictions, and no one will look down on you if you associate with people who are - dare I say - unlike you. Otherwise, Tulane students are pretty relaxed. It is more liberal than conservative, though the conservative students do have their organizations, as well. There is a place for everyone at Tulane, that is for sure.