As of right now I’m a high school senior, and I’m trying to choose between University of Denver and Tulane University. For context, I currently have no merit aid from Tulane but a pretty good financial aid package from Denver. I am not quite sure about grad school, but as of right now I want to double major in business and statistics with aspirations to get into the music industry. I’m having some trouble weighing the pro’s and con’s of attending each school. I want to know if the “brand name” of Denver will have as much prestige as Tulane. My parents are willing to front the cost, but I want to make sure its worth it Additionally, I’m waiting to hear from Syracuse University, Emory University, Boston University, and University of Washington (in-state, not a high priority). Any advice is much appreciated <3
Denver:
Pro: amazing environment, cheaper education, good reputation, small class sizes, INCREDIBLE outdoors opportunities (I’m a huge fan of snowboarding, hiking, all that fun stuff)
Cons: not as prestigious as Tulane
Tulane:
Pro: BEST CITY EVER, incredible academics, flexible curriculum, one of the most fun schools, great alumni network, can take classes in music industry at Loyola next door
Cons: price, not as much access to nature, “rich kid” population
Denver is a wonderful school. It is very strong in international relations and business. It has great music opportunities, although more traditional and classical than in NOLA. The music facilities are very very nice.
I don’t think any prestige difference alone is worth a big price premium for Tulane (especially since you also seem to like UDenver a lot.) New Orleans may be an exciting city to visit, but is not necessarily more attractive than the Denver area to live in month after month (depending of course on what you like in a city and how you take advantage of either one).
Tulane definitely has a higher national profile… but given that DU is not only cheaper but also has very good business AND music programs it’d be hard to justify the former.
BTW, yes, the mountains etc. But given that decent skiing is a good hour away on an interstate without a whole lot of public transportation, it’s hard to go snowboarding/skiing very often unless you have a car, or friends who do.
I’m a Colorado native (almost) and DU’s reputation is certainly on the rise (I went to the rival undergrad, Colorado College but went to DU for law school). DU’s endowment is fairly substantial, has a beautiful campus, and hosts many concerts/cultural events (in addition to having great lacrosse and hockey teams - so sporting events are a becoming a bigger draw). It’s also in a safe part of town. There is a ski train that takes you to Winter Park and I’m guessing kids car pool up to the ski slopes regularly. I don’t really know anything about Tulane. Good luck with your decision.
As long as you’re motivated, focused, and stay true to your desires and aptitudes, my view is that undergraduate institution is not nearly as important as it seems to be while you’re in high school or, for that matter, what the “average person on the street” or “family members trying to be helpful” (i.e., the ones who sometimes give you unsolicited advice or make insensitive comments) might think. That is to say, choice of grad school seems to be far more correlated with career success and satisfaction than where you go for undergraduate. And even with grad school, grit, determination and following one’s heart turns out to be absolutely critical in any event. Since you seem to like U if Denver and like the area in general, follow your heart and save the money for grad school or some other self-actualizing purchase. Tulane is a wonderful school (and also close to significant outdoor opportunities as well: think boating, camping, hiking, while water, etc.), with great diversity to boot, but I see you are juiced up about U of Denver and the great opportunities it offers so I am inclined to concur with the other responders on this thread that U of Denver is the place for you!
I would choose Tulane. My daughter has been wait listed at Tulane and we have our fingers crosses. Tulane has a fabulous reputation, small class sizes, incredible professors and amazing community service projects. Tulane is also in a unique and cultured city. Audubon Park is right across the street(gorgeous area and a bird sanctuary). Cons: Expensive!!
I graduated from Tulane, love the school and the city, still have many friends there, but any list of pro/cons must list the fact that Tulane is in a far more dangerous location thanU Denver. I think that can be a positive thing in terms of maturing and experiencing the real world, but to dismiss and not mention crime in New Orleans is a huge mistake.
I’m following this thread as these are two of my D’s schools as well (although she has not narrowed it yet to just these two). With scholarships, they are about the same price. I am worried about the crime in New Orleans - have been looking at that, and it is on our con list.
