<p>My D was accepted to both Tulane and Loyola. Her scholarship money is way better at Loyola but she doesn't really know alot about the school. She has interests in Art, Psychology (Art Therapy?)and International studies. She definitely wants to study abroad in a Latin American country or Spain. She is very involved in community service and likes working with international students.
What are the pros and cons of each school? Any imput would be appreciated.</p>
<p>D is a Freshman at Tulane and is very happy there. One big difference between Tulane and Loyola is the geographic makeup of the student body. Tulane’s, students heavily represent the Northeast and the Midwest. A relatively small percentge of Tulane students come from Louisiana, whereas a large percentage of Loyola students are from Louisiana.</p>
<p>There are religious differences as well between the 2 schools. Loyola is predominantly Catholic, while over a quarter of Tulane’s students are Jewish. However, the students at both schools appear to be very tolerant of othere people’s religions. </p>
<p>There are opportunities to get involved at either school. For example, D is on the Tulane dance team. Loyola does not have a dance team, so interested Loyola students may try out for the Tulane team. There is at least one Loyola student currently on the Tulane dance team. Students from either school do attend cultural and musical events at the other school. D is an undeclared Business major with a Spanish minor. She plans on attending Tulane’s program in Madrid during her junior year. I am sure that Loyola also has a vibrant study abroad program. </p>
<p>My impression is that both of these schools are very good. It would be a matter of where your D feels more comfortable.</p>
<p>bpfrench, I am curious as to where you obtained the information on the religious stats for Loyola. It is a Jesuit school but I’ve never read that the enrollment is predominately Catholic. Might be an interesting read. Thanks.</p>
<p>@NYMIZ I am a current undergrad at Loyola, an International Business major and Spanish minor. I am thinking about a minor in Latin American and Caribbean studies. I am studying abroad next semester in Madrid. Loyola has an awesome study abroad program to over 40 countries. It is a really easy process! Also, nearly all Loyola students participate in some sort of community service without having a community service requirement in order to graduate. </p>
<p>@bpfrench There is a large amount of Louisiana students represented at Loyola, but there are also students from nearly every state and over 40 foreign countries. Also, while Loyola is a Catholic Jesuit institution, less than half of Loyola students are Catholic. Also, there is a dance team at Loyola…</p>
<p>Having said this, I personally understand that the decision between the two universities is a difficult one. Both universities are excellent schools; however, for me, it came down to which university I felt more comfortable with. When I visited Loyola, I fell in love with the campus and the people I met. Loyola is much smaller than Tulane as well. I really enjoy the small classes (average class size 22). I have had the chance to really get to know my professors and many foreign students on campus.</p>
<p>I hope this helps!!</p>
<p>I agree with most of the above. BTW, I think bpfrench meant the dance team that performs at the football games and the like, but I could be mistaken. I don’t think Loyola has that, but whatever.</p>
<p>Tulane is certainly the more geographically diverse of the two schools. For the entering class of 2009-2010, just under 16% were from Louisiana, 4.5% Florida, 9.7% from the rest of the Southeast, 3% from the Middle South, 15.5% from the Midwest, 32.8% from the Northeast (which I believe includes the mid-Atlantic states), 7% from Texas, and 11.2% from the rest of the West. Rounding errors no doubt in there. All states were represented except Vermont for some reason. There are a fair number of international students also.</p>
<p>Tulane is certainly the more nationally and internationally known school, and it is a much stronger research institution. Their Latin Studies Program is considered one of the best in the country. However, to be fair, for your D’s interests both schools would offer a fine education. Tulane’s classes are also fairly small, my D is a sophomore and she has not had a class of over 30, and most less than 20. But some intro classes, which she placed out of, can be about 200-250. Not many, but intro Psych, biology, and some others can get to that size. Finally, there is no question that Tulane is a more academically selective school. A quick look at the entry stats will tell you that.</p>
<p>It is a good choice to have, and there is a fair amount of interaction between the schools I think. It just depends on what she is really looking for, and the money of course.</p>
<p>To fallenchemist:</p>
<p>I am a Sophomore Chemistry major at Loyola, and am involved in many organizations, as well as research.</p>
<p>I don’t know what bpfrench was referring to about Loyola not having a dance team, but we do. They do not dance at football games because we do not have a football team, but they do march in SEVERAL parades, as well as other events for Loyola.</p>
<p>As far as your geographically diverse comment, I think you are confused about Loyola’s numbers. I don’t know much about TU’s geographic make-up, but as jnmccull said before, we have over 40 countries represented on campus, not to mention 49 of the 50 states. Also, as she said, less than half the population at Loyola is from the Louisiana.</p>
<p>Also, as far as research goes, there are plenty of research opportunities available at Loyola for all classes (freshman-senior), and even to Freshman. I personally helped one of the professors in his research to set the world record for the fastest data collection using a laser system. I also have many friends who are Chem. majors who do other research as well. There are opportunities in Physical, Organic, Inorganic, Green Chemistry, etc. That is only in Chemistry, there are also plenty of opportunities in the other science fields as well. </p>
<p>When it comes to small classes, I would say that Loyola has the advantage. With an undergraduate size of about 2800 students, and a total population of around 4800, we have very small classes. The average class size is 20, and the student:teacher ratio is 12:1 University wide, and 6:1 in the college of Music and Fine Arts. This presents even more opportunities to get involved with things like research and internships. Most students will never have a class over 40!</p>
<p>If you are interested in any of these numbers, you can go to loyno.edu/admissions to get more information, and I would recommend visiting ANY university before deciding to go there. Personally, I was considering both schools until I visited Loyola. I immediately fell in love with the campus, the students, and the overall atmosphere. It is such a diverse population of people, and there is always something to do on campus.</p>
<p>Loyola is a fine school, I am certainly not trying to be disparaging about it. But Tulane has more students from 500+ miles away than any school in the country, and a far lesser percentage from Louisiana than Loyola. I am not confused about Loyola’s numbers, and I gave you Tulane’s geographic make-up in detail, so I don’t know how you can still say you do not know much about it. BTW, you only have to look at Loyola’s Common Data Set to see that in fact 52% of the students are from Louisiana, while 47% of the latest freshman class were. <a href=“http://academicaffairs.loyno.edu/sites/academicaffairs.loyno.edu/files/2009-2010-common-data-set.pdf[/url]”>http://academicaffairs.loyno.edu/sites/academicaffairs.loyno.edu/files/2009-2010-common-data-set.pdf</a> Page 13. So apparently
is incorrect. Even if the internationals do put it slightly below 50%, it is very very close to it. Not that this is a big deal, but those are the facts.</p>
<p>Tulane simply has more profs doing research in virtually all areas and has a med school that does research besides, along with a separate school of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. I have no doubt there are enough research opportunities at Loyola to keep undergrads satisfied, but there really is no comparison in total opportunities. Tulane advertises an 8:1 student:faculty ratio, and an average class size of 22.</p>
<p>So I don’t think you actually corrected anything I said at all, lol.</p>
<p>I do totally agree with you that visiting any school is a must if at all possible, and of course with Tulane and Loyola being right next to each other you get 2 for 1. Along those same lines, the two schools have always had a great relationship and classes offered at one school are available to students from the other if they are not offered by the one you go to. They are both really nice campuses.</p>
<p>Oh, seems a little hostile in here, I like it. I’ve been to both school and can’t tell you anything bad about either of them. Since you get to see them both in one day, I would make a trip to NO. One big deciding factor that stats will not really give you is the attitude of the student population. Instead of doing a tour and leaving, go eat and walk around and do a little people watching. Each school has a very different personality, and that could seal the deal for your sweet D.</p>
<p>BudBoomer - Can you elaborate on the “different personality” of each school?</p>
<p>One freshman wrote about her first impressions of Loyola in a charming little column in the Maroon. In it she says, “In the Hogwarts that was New Orleans, Loyola was Gryffindor House.” Later, “I even found Slytherin House, under the alias “Tulane University”, across the street.”</p>
<p>I don’t totally understand the references, since I’m not a Harry Potter fan!</p>
<p>[</a>" + pageTitle + "](<a href=“http://www.loyolamaroon.com/in-my-opinion-a-freshman-gives-her-first-impressions-1.2324176]”>http://www.loyolamaroon.com/in-my-opinion-a-freshman-gives-her-first-impressions-1.2324176)</p>
<p>faffy, i think the differences in personalities are marked by the students that attend each school. I go to Loyola and I have several friends at both schools. </p>
<p>I find that Tulane students are typically very east coast. The school also has a very competitive atmosphere. </p>
<p>Seeing as it’s a liberal arts school, Loyola tends to attract a very down-to-earth and creative student-base. I like to compare Loyola to the movie Fame (maybe a more contemporary reference would be Glee?) Students are constantly singing, dancing and playing music around campus. I love how relaxed and easy-going everyone (even the professors) are.</p>
<p>I was accepted to both Loyola and Tulane and also visited both campuses. I eventually chose Loyola because I felt more comfortable there. The deciding factors were that Loyola is a liberal arts school and has a tighter-knit (mainly because it’s smaller) community. Of course your daughter may be different, but if she’s like me and would prefer a more relaxed and individualized learning environment, or somewhere where it’s extremely easy to get to know your professors and classmates, then Loyola would probably be a better fit for her.</p>
<p>Ummm, Tulane is totally a liberal arts school. You need to look up the definition of what that means. Also, I think Tulane students would severely object to the implication that it is not easy for them to get to know their professors and classmates. My D is a sophomore there and she knows quite a few of her professors on more than a classroom basis. As far as classmates, do you really think there is a college in the country where it is hard to get to know your classmates, except for commuter schools perhaps?</p>
<p>Fallenchemist,
I’m not sure what it is but it seems like you really just don’t like Loyola. I think that PhuongT meant that since you will almost NEVER, INCLUDING FRESHMAN INTRO CLASSES, have a class of over 40 maybe 50, there aren’t all that many people to get to know, and the classes often work together in group assignments and studying.</p>
<p>Also, in reference to your statistics you should get your information from the correct source. The statistics you posted were not from the Admissions or Student Records offices who keep that sort of information. They came from the Academic Affairs office, and those statistics are not at all current.</p>
<p>The current statistics are:
"Undergraduate
43 percent male; 57 percent female.</p>
<p>Ethnic minorities represent 37.2 percent of student body.</p>
<p>53 percent are from out of state; 48 states are represented.</p>
<p>Three percent are international; 31 countries are represented.
70 percent are full-time; 30 percent part-time.
The average high school grade point average of our freshmen is 3.72.
SAT scores (middle 50%) range from 1120-1330; ACT scores (middle 50%) from 24-29.
Enrollment is 4,910 students: 57 percent undergraduates; 43 percent graduates or professionals.
35 percent live on campus.
97 percent of undergraduates receive some form of financial aid.
The student-to-faculty ration is 12:1, except for the college of Music & Fine Arts where it is 6:1."</p>
<p>First of all, I like Loyola just fine. I said nothing negative about it, the negative comments have been mostly towards Tulane, if you read through it all. Not severely negative, but still. Second, I cannot read the mind of the poster as to what he meant, maybe you can. The vast majority of Tulane classes are 20 or so students, and I don’t think that is where most people get to know others anyway. Certainly they do sometimes, don’t get me wrong. But there are tons of other ways of getting to know people at your school. So to say it is easier to get to know your classmates (which I took to mean fellow students in general) at Loyola is just misleading is all. Really kind of silly.</p>
<p>As far as the info, it is right from Loyola’s Common Data Set! I don’t know how much more official it gets than that. I gave you the link, take a look. It was filled out by Donna Bourgeois, an employee of Loyola in their Office of Institutional Research. This is the document that is used by all the reporting services such as USNWR, the government, etc. to compile data for the college. It is dated 2009-2010. I don’t know what else you want. You want to quibble over a few percent? No problem. Go ahead. It changes nothing. OK, so 47% from Louisiana compared to 16% at Tulane. That is 3x as many, and still nearly half the class. You honestly think that invalidates my point?</p>
<p>FYI, that GPA is weighted. I know you will argue with me and hate hearing that, but it is true, unless you want to claim that Loyola has a student body with about the same GPA as Princeton.</p>
<p>You know, the really funny thing is that the brilliant Loyola student jnmccull who responded to NYMIZ (the OP) was responding to a thread that was 16 months old!! LOL.</p>
<p>Bottom line: Practically the only similarity between Loyola and Tulane is location…visiting both campuses to get a real feel for them would be the best advice.</p>
<p>As a freshman at Tulane, I have to interject regarding the large class sizes and difficulty in forming relationships with professors. I am currently in an intro chem class with approximately 250 students. Although I could have placed out of this class, I am pre-med planning on double majoring in chem and public health, and opted to take the lower level class. But, I digress. </p>
<p>I took the opportunity to take my professor out to lunch during the “Take a professor out to lunch” program. During our lunch I spoke of my desire to take part in a research project as soon as possible. Immediately after lunch, he took me to meet three different chem professors who are working on projects that he thought would interest me. After a few emails and meetings, I was offered the opportunity to join his research group and will be starting on Thursday. </p>
<p>Although both Tulane and Loyola are good schools, I feel students statistics and the schools reputations put Tulane quite a bit ahead of Loyola. </p>
<p>Both schools have a very different feel about them, and it really depends on what you’re looking for. Tours and information sessions are great, but to get a real feel of any school spend as much time there as possible. Talk to current students and professors at both schools. Sit in different spots around campus and people watch.</p>
<p>She posted on a post that was on the university’s site to correct some information that someoone put about Loyola-that we do have a dance team that is very active.</p>
<p>I would definitely agree with the last post about really spending time at the schools and talking to students. And as far as “reputation and statistics” I think that the Loyola name and a Jesuit education speak for themselves. The true bottom line is that neither school really has anything in common. </p>
<p>What I was saying about getting to know your professors is that, since there are such large classes, without students actually participating in things such as “take your prof. to lunch day”, it’s not as easy to get to know a professor in a 250 person class as a 40-50 person freshman class.</p>
<p>Both schools are definitely unique, and a visit will show you the difference. If that doesn’t work I know Loyola has a facebook page with discussion blogs, as well as this college confidential site.</p>
<p>Wow, this is all very interesting. The bottom line is that Loyola University is a great school in it’s own right. It is true that Loyola is a very diverse school and very involved in the commuity. I was accepted to both Tulane and Loyola, I chose Loyola in the end. The deciding factor for me was the way I felt and was accepted on the campus. I felt and still feel that Loyola was much more open to nurturing my values and goals, and I have not yet regreted my decision. The best way to find a school that works for you is to visit and reserch their values and missions. If those values coincide with yours, then I believe that you may have found the school for you. Well atleast thats what happen for me. I LOVE LOYOLA UNIVERSITY NEW ORLEANS!!</p>