No one is telling you not to post here on CC.
The opinions of parents are not necessarily outdated.
Does Tulane's reputation as a party school put off employers/ make the school seem less prestigious?
I actually did have a lady suggest to me that I should not post in cc forums.
Thank you!
Forgive me, I misunderstood her. She asked me to do research before I post (which I do). Also, she told me that Tulane was a party school in 1993 and suggested that that was the source of my assertion. I don’t think she is outdated. Or he, sorry, that was rude of me to assume it was a mother.
@Tulanefan101 forgive me, I thought you meant I should not post on CC at all. I reread your comment. I do actually research the colleges I mean to apply to. I’m sorry I misunderstood your meaning.
You did your research, but needed some frame of reference. Understandable.
I’ve heard from Tulane students that if you don’t go to parties every single Friday/Saturday night, you’re outcasted and considered to be not normal (especially if you want to stay in once in a while and just relax, watch TV, etc). To me, that makes it a “party school”.
May depend on where you go work, I guess. It does not have a party reputation in New Orleans. In fact, we think the Tulane students are amateurs. 
As someone who had only vaguely heard of Tulane (mostly related to sports) until I had a Tulane grad start working for me, I can say that I had no awareness of whether Tulane was a party school or not nor did I care.
@Tulanefan101 was on the mark. I find it entertaining that so many students seem to think employers sit around all day grading potential employees based on the school they attended. Now, there are some areas where your school matters - investment banking, Supreme court nominations, and so on. And reputation of school - academically, not party-related - is a factor in whether employers recruit at a particular campus.
Me, when I’m reviewing resumes - and I’ve been involved in hiring for many years now - I look to see if the applicant have a degree, what the major/minor was, what real experience they’ve had (internships, summer work). The strength of the particular school isn’t a factor (unless it’s a for-profit school). I want to see some real experience, a strong work ethic, and a passion for continued learning (being in technology). I really don’t care if your school was a party school or not, or if you partied all the time in college even if your school wasn’t a party school.
@woshigusta - In some respects, every school is a “party school.” When you put thousands of 17-22 year olds in one place, there is going to be a fair amount of “partying.” I think that you are confusing the reputation of New Orleans with the reputation of Tulane. NOLA has a party atmosphere. There are parades and festivals on a weekly basis. And yes, there is often alcohol involved.
However, my son, a TU senior will tell you that there are a lot of really smart kids at Tulane. Oh, and btw, my son has a job lined up for after graduation at one of the top ten investment banks in NYC. In the process of securing this job, he networked extensively with Tulane alumni (who were very helpful) and has had great summer internships along the way.
I don’t think it has much of an effect, especially if you are looking for work outside of the region. I have many relatives who live in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, and I would say that the answer is mixed in that area. People think Tulane students are smart and talented, but can sometimes be wary of them because they also see them as spoiled and privileged Northerners. (I am NOT saying this is true. Just saying that it is a perception. Some call it a “tropical outpost of Connecticut.” Ha.)
I think the more important thing to think about is how YOU feel about partying. People will say that there is partying everywhere, which is true, but do not minimize the degree to which partying affects campus culture. I went to undergrad at a school on the Stone Cold Sober list, grad school at Univ of Wisconsin - which is on every party list everywhere, and daughter is currently at a school somewhere in between. Social life, campus culture, discussions, etc. are definitely affected by how much a school is a party school. One is not better than the other - just different. It all depends on what fits you. My daughter ultimately turned down an extremely generous scholarship from Tulane because, after talking to people, perusing web sites, and joining online communities, she felt she would feel a bit lost there as an introverted, non-partying, non-sports loving nerd.
But the campus is gorgeous, the programs are great, the location is fabulous, and the people are friendly. It is a strong school, and may be a perfect fit for YOU.
UNYMOM: Too bad your daughter experience has made her not to go to Tulane. I know to each, each own. However, ours is different as we are Christian family and my son also is a believer and he does not like drinking, smoking, gambling, etc. He went to Tulane with a mind set of going to school and getting a degree. He got a degree (in fact dual degree Tulane and Vandy) last May 2016 and immediately has been offered a good job as aerospace engineer in an aerospace company in Cali with high paying job.
The moral of story is do not believe anything you read on the internet. Check it out for yourself, test the water and more importantly use Common Sense in deciding where to go to college.
Anyway, the ultimate goal of any college students is to get a degree with high GPA and immediately get a job upon graduation with high paying salary. And common sense says that usually Party (partying) and High GPA do not go together. It is really hard to study and make the good grades while your mind is always on the having fun, partying and not serious at your school work. May the force be with y’all.
As someone from illinois, home of the number one party school in the country, I can understand the OP’s concern. I agree that Tulane has a reputation of being a party school. Some of the kids I know who go there would agree. That said, good grades and accomplishments will speak well of you coming from an excellent school like Tulane. I think your fit on campus will be important when you choose a school, but I wouldn’t worry about Tulane’s reputation when it comes to employment. Best of luck to you.
Thanks, Tulanefan101. Actually, I know several people who work at Tulane as profs and support staff, and they expressed concern with Tulane’s fit for my daughter. (I did not share these concerns with her unless she asked specific questions.) She ended up touring the school when we were unexpectedly stuck in New Orleans for a few days, and liked it a lot more than she anticipated, which is why she applied. I agree that you shouldn’t believe everything that you read on the internet, but what she did read reinforced the concerns that she had for HER. If you are outgoing, business-oriented, etc., even if you do not party, Tulane could be perfect for you, as it was for your son.
I had to smile when I read your comment about the ultimate goal of any college student, since my daughter does not care one iota about a high-paying salary as long as she graduates without debt and is able to make rent. My husband and I have already resigned ourselves to the fact that she will never make a lot of money, given what she is interested in, but she is quite frugal and buys almost everything used, so at least we probably won’t have to support her in our old age. 
So perhaps ending up at a nerdy, bookish school that doesn’t provide as many practical skills as Tulane does is an OK result for her. I am sad about not having more excuses to visit New Orleans though!
Thank you for sharing your story. I know your daughter is very special that she does not care iota about a high-paying job. My son is also the same as he is frugal, simple and his life style is perhaps just like your daughter. BUT, he is a very focus oriented person. He does not party, drink etc. In fact, he joined Christian ministry at Tulane because he is a believer. More importantly, he knows what he wants to do with going to Tulane and Vandy with scholarships (internal and outside). And he was surprised that he has been offered a high paying job as an engineer last May 2016. Anyhow, I believe generally speaking lots of kids expecting a good and high paying job after graduation since they have to be independent and have to pay school loans if any. And with Tulane credentials and diploma, anyone should not worry about getting a job and getting an offer for a high paying one.
@Tulanefan101 Thank you for your very informative posts! My daughter is a serious student who is interested in neuroscience, psychology, medical field. She has plenty of fun without drinking/partying and is worried that the partying environment at Tulane would not work for her. She is now becoming interested in Tulane because her friends who visited have loved it. In addition, they sent her a fee waiver for the app, not sure why, she has expressed zero interest, so why not apply? DD is also a Christian so if you can tell me which organization your son joined, I’d appreciate the info.
@Isabel2017 there is never an application fee for Tulane, those “fee waivers” are part of a marketing strategy to get students to apply that normally wouldn’t. As evidenced b your daughters decision to apply, it works!
My son is a senior at Tulane and has not one iota interest in partying. He is very serious and goal driven and is graduating a year early due to taking extra credits and summer courses and transferring in AP credits. He became an RA which gave him free housing and greatly cut down on his costs. He has made plenty of friends- some that party, some that don’t and has plenty to keep him busy without drinking.
Just to give you and anyone else who is interested- this is a link to all the religious groups that are active on campus. Great way to meet people and stay active in your faith. http://www2.tulane.edu/studentaffairs/intercultural/religious-life/religious-groups.cfm
Isabel2017: My son joined the Bridge Christian Ministry. This is the necessary info as follows: 504-864-6375
thebridge@tulane.edu. You can call them up and ask for their activities, ministry, etc. This is a very dynamic group and is very caring for their members and reaching out to others. Anyhow, if your daughter is interested in medical filed, Tulane has medical school too and will accommodate your daughter’s future.
The main reputation of Tulane is that it is a strong academic institution. Most don’t live by lists or rankings, but #39 among national universities in the latest US News rankings tells you enough about the school. If the school has an active social scene, that’s a plus. My son is a junior. To be honest, our biggest concern is the reputation of the business school, especially as it relates to the other schools where he’ll be applying.
@ljberkow what do you mean when you mention your concern about the reputation of the business school “especial as it relates to the other schools where he’ll be applying”?