<p>My daughter and I just returned from New Orleans and Destination Tulane. I've read quite a few posts about DT since I have been following the school and I wanted to weigh in on the experience. The weather was perfect, certainly a boost to any school's chances of enticing its accepted students to sign up. We took the street car (what a great feature of NOLA) right to Tulane where a volunteer was waiting with maps and directions to the meeting room. The first meeting started pretty much on time and the admissions counselor did a good job. Then Mr Bernstein, a senior administrator, spoke and he was outstanding, a most persuasive man who would excel in sales. He was not just selling Tulane, however, he was giving the propsoective students his insights about how to select a college, and he even said that Tulane wasn't for everybody. If he spoke at all the sessions I'm sure it would have a meaningful effect on yield. The campus tour was done well--we got to see most everything. I'd say the front of the campus, the older part, is quite pretty and some of the rest not so pretty. Overall it's fine. We had lunch and sat with a professor of French who was quite charming, a good representative of the school. I thought the food was good--decent gumbo and good fried catfish on my plate. My daughter had pizza. The highlight of the day was the student panel. I do recall that some posters on other threads expressed their disappointment in the student panel, but our foursome was fantastic. It consisted of Sam from Kansas City, Jenna from Houston, Miss X (didn't catch her name) from Connecticut, and David from New Orleans. David, I believe, was also one of the featured students in the film we saw at the accepted students reception in Cincy. David was extremely impressive--great answers to every question, but never glib or rehearsed. He is a very sharp young man, and I'll say the same for Sam who made a great point about stepping poutside of his Midwestern comfort zone to live in a very different city. Jenna and Miss X had great answers as well. I believe these four students may have "sealed the deal" for some students. They did a great job and if they are any way representative of typical Tulane students I think TU should consider itself fortunate.</p>
<p>We stayed at a B & B in the Garden District--what a beautiful place. After the session we rode the St Chas streetcar to the French Quarter--my daughter's first visit althouygh I've been there many times. It once again showed itself to be one of America's most grotesque attractions. We did enjoy our visit to St Louis Cathedral and a stay in Jackson Square park and drinks at the Royal Sonesta, but Bourbon Street is something else entirely. On the way home for the night we ate at Eleven 79 and I would highly recommend it--outstanding Italian food in a great, cozy bar atmosphere.</p>
<p>Now we'll have to see what school my daughter selects....</p>