<p>I guess my first reaction would be to go for Tulane since it’s a better school. My daughter’s high school sends many kids to Gonzaga every year, but she just wanted something different and I was all for that. I’m kind of a cheap parent, but even I would say the 7k difference is worth it for you to go to Tulane. </p>
<p>What concerns me is that you aren’t jumping at the chance to go to there, when you should be. NO is a great town and Tulane has a very nice campus. What’s not to like? I suspect that you really will be too far from home, and you already know it. </p>
<p>I have plenty of friends whose children went far away (the options are limited here, so many kids go far away) and they came “home” to the state university 120 miles away. My own son went to a state nearby that’s very similar to our own even though the opportunities for him were better in California- but he wouldn’t have lasted. On the other hand, nothing is written in stone. If you don’t like it, you can transfer back to Gonzaga.</p>
<p>AMOHOO- It is very considerate of you to be concerned with your parents’ finances in the college selection process. But, this is a chance of a lifetime to experience the personal growth of living with a variety of new people in a rich and unique culture. Academics will be more challenging, and your contact with a variey of students and townspeople will also bring new perspectives.</p>
<p>With your interest in international relations, you would be much closer to D.C. and NYC internships, as well as European programs (embassies, The Hague, etc.) Now is the time to dream big and search out opportunities. If you think Tulane offers those, go for it. </p>
<p>Full disclosure- I have a son about to graduate from Tulane. He has LOVED his 4 years there and will be staying in NOLA for the job he has accepted. </p>
<p>I totally agree that you should visit the schools if you can. The “feel” is very important, especially if you have the luxury of not worring about the cost differential.</p>
<p>You do know that Tulane Political Science professor Melissa Harris-Perry hosts a weekly talk show on MSNBC [Melissa</a> Harris-Perry: Professor | Author | African-American | Intellectual](<a href=“http://melissaharrisperry.com/about.html]Melissa”>http://melissaharrisperry.com/about.html) ? And James Carville teaches a class, and his wife, Mary Matalin and good ol’ Tulane alum Newt Gingrich have participated. And yes, the school of Public Health and Tropical Medicine is excellent and very well respected, with lots of research and clinical opportunities, from what I understand. So if money is not a concern and these programs are of strong interest to you, I’d say go for it. And New Orleans is a blast!</p>
<p>emptyMT- you hit the nail on the head. I’m nervous about how far away it is; I’ve never spent more than two weeks away from home so I don’t know what to expect. And over 30% of the kids at Tulane are from the northeast, while 10% are from the west. So I already feel like an outsider. But like fauve said, it is a city full of opportunities and could give me a wider cultural breadth that I think I crave deep down inside. </p>
<p>jym626- I actually just got back from visiting this week. I loved it, thought the campus was amazing, and all the kids seemed happy which is a very good thing.</p>
<p>Glad you had a great visit. The energy in that town is contagious. How was the travel to/from? Easier than you thought or difficult to maneuver?</p>
<p>If you visited and loved it- then I would say go for it. Most students moving away from family for the first time have some moments of disquiet. Only you can know yourself well enough to make an educated guess whether you will embrace the challenges of a new environment (at least most of the time, we all have our moments of regret) and revel in the new experience, or over all be uncomfortable to be so far from your roots. And as somone said, you can always try again at Gonzaga if you find you just don’t like Tulane. Believe in yourself and that you can accomplish what you set out to do- it is a wonderful adventure you have in your future.</p>
<p>jym626- Getting to New Orleans consists of 3 separate plane flights, but it’s actually pretty easy, just long.
Did your son ever mention how much he went into the city itself? That was one question I forgot to ask any of the students when I was there.</p>
<p>kinderny- thanks for the advice, it’s greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>From what I recall, they occasionally go down to the French quarter during Freshman year because its new and exciting-- until they realize its also expensive! The novelty quickly wears off. There are other places that, as upper classmen, they have gone to (I thinkto her music or celebrate someone’s birthday or something) and there are wonderful opportunities to take advantage of off campus (he’s talked about festivals and such) butapologies, I don’t really know how much time they spend around town. Sorry I can’t be of more help on that one.</p>
<p>AMPH007, this is the time in your life to do the experimenting and trying new things and places. Once you have a career and/or family, this exploration will be difficult to do. Which would you regret more: 1) going to Tulane and deciding it’s not a good fit, or 2) not trying it? The answer to this may help you.</p>
<p>For myself, looking back from the advantage of years, it’s the times when I wanted to do something but held back out of fear… or shyness… or some other concern that I regret the most.</p>