<p>I think you need to do some research. How many students from each school go to med school? What are their average MCAT scores? Are med school applicants screened in any way? How many people are in a typical organic chem class? Is it taught by a TA or a prof? Will easy is it to do research as an undergrad? </p>
<p>Plus, how sure are you that you want to go to med school?</p>
<p>Agree that if these are the 5 you are considering and you want to save $ for med school, pick Tulane. There are opportunities to do research with faculty and at the med school downtown. Also, there are routes into Tulane med, through the premed creative scholars program and the 6+1 accelerated medical school program that are worth exploring.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for your thoughtful responses. Yes, Tulane is definitely the least expensive… but it is also my least favorite. The things I’m not crazy about are:</p>
<p>1) Party atmosphere - I’ve seen so many posts from students wanting to transfer out of Tulane because of they can’t find a group of friends that don’t party 24/7. I know partying happens at every school (and I’m no goody-goody myself) but I haven’t seen this many complaints about it from any of my other choices. This worries me.</p>
<p>2) State of the campus - I was really surprised at the poor condition of many of the buildings… broken doors, walls with holes kicked in, paint peeling off the buildings, etc. I realize this is no indication of the quality of instruction, but it seems like there’s a big lack of pride (or money? hard to believe?) in the school. </p>
<p>3) Apparent lack of school spirit - I’ve heard that there’s not much support for the athletic programs (no one goes to the games) and as a cheerleader hoping to cheer in college, that’s important to me. I also thought it was odd that many of the students were wearing shirts with other colleges’ names/logos. </p>
<p>The good things about Tulane are the money (of course) and the creative scholars program (which, if I got in, automatically admits you to the Tulane med school without having to take the MCATs and lets you major in something beside science, which is attractive). I just have to decide if these pros outweigh the cons.</p>
<p>And yes, there’s definitely a possibility I could change my mind about med school (I’m pretty sure about it now but I know that many people change their minds), and I wouldn’t want to be stuck at a school I’m not crazy about but chose just for the premed program.</p>
<p>So are you in-instate for UofT? That could also be a good choice.</p>
<p>I think you are looking for a parent to come along and tell you that it is okay for your parents to struggle to pay $240,000 to send you to South Bend, Indiana, perhaps to be a cheerleader, knowing that you are then likely to need another $300,000 for med. school. I can’t even begin to tell you why that is not going to happen, that it is such a thorougly bad idea - both for your parents and for you.</p>
<p>And this thread is misnamed - I haven’t heard ANY conflicting advice.</p>
<p>Partying in Nawleans has been going on since the beginning of time. Yet most Nawleans students graduate :). When I was at Cajun State (aka University of Louisiana, in Lafayette) we had lots of Elbonian students at the University of New Orleans and some at Tulane. I spent tons of time at the UNO dorms and with friends from both schools. The joke was that one’s GPA depended on how close they were to the party district… I had friends at UNO that were on perpetual probation, and friends who finished with honors. </p>
<p>In my days Tulane was an awesome choice and had a very pretty campus. Then this Katrina thing happened… The party atmosphere is endemic to Louisiana. I would not say it is a ‘party’ state, but like many places in the South, things are different than, say, Notre Dame or Ohio State or what not. Tulane did not have major athletics… </p>
<p>My daughter is in a sports-crazy South flagship and sure, there’s more ‘spirit’ but these days if your team is winning, you’re good, otherwise, you might as well be rooting for the Cubs. Lots of partying as well. I would not worry too much about spirit. Cheerleading, ok, that may be an issue. </p>
<p>The Creative Scholars program is quite unique, and could ease the horrors and pain of getting into med school. That may negate many a spirit in its own way!</p>
<p>It’d be foolish to turn down a great school like ND, UVA or USC. You worked hard for those acceptance letters and you’re lucky to have those opportunities. Your undergrad years are the fun ones and you only get one chance at it, so go where you’ll be happiest.</p>
<p>What exactly is a “fun one” from your perspective? From your f/u post, it’s not one that you perceive to have a drinking culture. What about the ones that you list as “fun” (I’m assuming the full pays) appeals to you? Why do you think they would be more “fun”?</p>
<p>Is this really more about going to a college that you perceive is more prestigious?</p>
<p>@mini - yes, I am in-state for UT. There are many reasons that it is low on my list, including very large class sizes, difficulty getting classes, and the fact that it is in Texas and 95% in-state students, and I want to experience a different place and student body with some geographic diversity. And no, the advice here has been pretty consistent. The conflicting advice is coming from relatives, family friends, teachers, etc.</p>
<p>@suzy100 - no, it’s not about going to a “more prestigious” college. It’s about going someplace that’s the best fit, offers the things that I want, and making a choice that I can look back on with no regrets. And therein lies the problem. Half the people (mostly here on CC) say that I’d regret spending more money than I had to, while half say that I’d regret passing up a school that offers more of the opportunities I want. </p>
<p>@Turbo93 - Creative Scholars is the main thing keeping Tulane on the table for me. My only worry is that I’d be basically committing to Tulane/New Orleans for 8 years, and what if I don’t like it there? Or what if decide against med school? I would’ve chosen a school I don’t really love for just that reason.</p>
<p>Well, I don’t think ND and USC should even be ON the list. You already said your parents would have trouble paying for it. You also said you are currently planning on medical school. I see upwards of half a million dollars. </p>
<p>If you think you’d have regrets now, wait til you see your medical school debt staring you in the face. </p>
<p>I’d be very, very hardpressed to make an argument that USC or ND are substantially better than Tulane academically, if at all. And for a premed, it is likely that Tulane is better than either. As for fun, Tulane is in NEW ORLEANS!!!</p>
<p>But if you prefer UofT…</p>
<p>Since you’re instate for UT, then the choice should be between UT and Tulane since money is a concern.</p>
<p>As for partying…do you think ND is a monastery? Those kids party, too!</p>
<p>The bottom line is that when you get 18 - 22 year old kids together there is partying unless it’s a bible college. Do you think only “party schools” have dorms with beer pong tables? </p>
<p>That said, there are non-partyers everywhere. There are probably certain clubs that are more likely to attract the “non-partyers.”</p>
<p>They party hard at all of these choices.<br>
Kids who don’t want to party tend to head off for the library, labs, gym or hang out with quieter friends. Maybe you should check library hours. (Seriously, one of mine skips parties for the library, which is open quite late.) </p>
<p>When my oldest was applying we gave her quite a bit of leeway in choosing where to apply. But, with this caveat: no matter how much you love the place, if the right aid doesn’t happen, we can’t do it. </p>
<p>I’m guessing the reason you don’t show need-based aid is the family’s EFC is too high-? Do you know what “sacrifices” your parents would be making to send you full freight? For some families, this means hardship, plain and simple. For others, it means cut out the winter cruise, liquidate some CD they’d rather roll over. Do you know enough about the impact on your family?</p>
<p>And why not Baylor?</p>
<p>Do you really believe that students on any campus, in large numbers, are partying 24/7?</p>
<p>I know that partying is big at every school, and trust me, that doesn’t bother me in the least. My concern about Tulane is the high number of people who complain about it and actually transfer out because of it. I haven’t seen anywhere near that many complaints about partying from the other schools. And after seeing how trashed the dorms were (way worse any other school I’ve visited… and on a day for admitted students when you’d think they’d want things to look good), its just left me with a bad impression. </p>
<p>Yes, EFC is too high for financial aid. The main impact of going to a full tuition school would be that my mom would have to go back to work… which she’d planned on doing anyway when I go to college, but this would mean she’d <em>have</em> to, instead of just wanting to for extra money/something to do. The money would go toward my tuition instead of things like vacations, remodeling the kitchen, etc.</p>
<p>Why not Baylor? I love Baylor, the campus is so pretty and I think it’s a great school. However, being Catholic, I don’t think that a Baptist school would be the best fit for me.</p>
<p>Since you’re in Tulane Honors, it’s worth investigating whether that “community” is one with more serious students who don’t party quite as hard.</p>
<p>Where did you get the information that so many students party and look to transfer because of that? You do have to evaluate your source of information too.</p>
<p>Reposting from #22:
Creative scholars isn’t a commitment. Its an option. You can still apply elsewhere. And the 6+1 accelerated program saves time and money. Look into them.</p>
<p>Please try to look at the positives. All I am hearing is negatives.</p>
<p>Doesn’t sound like kids are transferring in droves, though obviously there are schools with better rates: [Tulane</a> University - High Retention Rate Makes School History](<a href=“http://tulane.edu/news/newwave/110210_retention.cfm?RenderForPrint=1]Tulane”>http://tulane.edu/news/newwave/110210_retention.cfm?RenderForPrint=1)</p>
<p>Tulane
First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 91%
Transfer Out Rate: 12%
4-Year Graduation Rate: 60%
6-Year Graduation Rate: 73%</p>
<p>U. Texas
First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 92%
4-Year Graduation Rate: 51%
6-Year Graduation Rate: 81%</p>
<p>Tulane’s graduation rates were still affected by Katrina, plus there is a 5 year architecture degree that obviously affects the 4 yr graduation rate. Not sure what years are included in the transfer rate so don’t know if thats at all affected by Katrina.</p>
<p>I’ll take your word that, as a Catholic, Baylor’s not a fit either. And, I’ll assume you did an accepted students day there- or at least a deeper than average visit. </p>
<p>I think you need to have the frank talk with Mom and some reality check. Is going back to work an easy matter? Eg, is she a professional (lawyer, doctor/nurse, programmer, etc) who would simply “go back to work,” readapt to that, make good money, be satisfied? A semi-professional who kept up her contacts and can slide back into “something” and make the best of it? Or, like many, would she be stuck in this rotten economy, hoping for anything? I think it’s also important whether you have sibs behind you who will also put the family through this. </p>
<p>I also think you need to confirm how much your parents truly believe you are entitled to choose based on your own priorities, how much they feel it is their “duty” as parents to underwrite this, even when it means Mom’s job and delaying the kitchen. That sounds harsher than I mean it. Many parents do feel that way, wouldn’t give it a second thought. On CC, we usually discourage large debt, but you haven’t spoken of debt, cracking into retirement funds, etc.</p>
<p>Partying harder at Tulane than at ND or USC? Now THAT’S a fish story.</p>
<p>You did read about all the alcohol arrests at ND, right? And that the Administration there, trying to put a best face on it, says that 20% of the student body is dependent (that means “addicted”) to alcohol?</p>
<p>Don’t you find it at least “interesting” that in 39 posts, not a single parent has said a single word in favor of ND or USC?</p>
<p>Ha, ha, Mini, I agree. You have some great choices, and frankly I don’t think the full prices schools are that different and “better” than the ones that have offered you money. Sometimes I see kids whose choices are between a small, selective LAC vs a big state school, perhaps not at all known like East New Mexico State , and one really has to weigh a lot of factors over such differences, but Tulane vs ND or USC? Uh uhn. I can’t tell which fish are from where with those schools.</p>