Need some help--GWU vs. Tulane???

<p>So as I have said in the GWU forums, I am committed to GWU, already sent in my deposit. But I just got off the waitlist at Tulane University also, so now I am considering that. I plan to double major in political science and philosophy. I am also planning to go to law school immediately following graduation from college, hopefully at Georgetown, Stanford, or one of the Ivies... I love aspects of both schools, and clearly GWU would be better for poly sci, but how are Tulane's programs for philosophy and/or poly sci? How does social life differ at these two schools? Prestige/Name recognition? Student body? How are these schools diffferent/similar? I have a friend at Tulane who LOVES it there and I kinda let him convince me to consider it over GWU, though he acknowledges GW's strengths too. Any information you could give me would be helpful and greatly appreciated. Convince me either way!Thanks so much everyone!</p>

<p>It’s hard to dispute the value of GWU for political science, just in terms of opportunities afforded students by virtue of the location. That said, S is a PolSci minor at Tulane and the department is very strong. It’s well-funded and one of the most popular majors on campus, insuring continuing support. It’s also become more high profile recently—you may be aware that James Carville is currently teaching an undergraduate class as a Professor of Practice. I’m assuming you have checked out Tulane’s pol sci website? If not, do so. Read up on the faculty too–that can help you understand their different areas of PS interest. Also, their philosophy department is considered very good and again, the faculty have impressive backgrounds. </p>

<p>I honestly think this is a case where “fit” is the more important consideration. If you loved GWU and the environment and feel of it, stay with your gut. </p>

<p>Beyond academics, those two schools are SO different. GWU is completely urban while Tulane doesn’t have that feel to it. My D was accepted to GWU and we visited, but I know very little about the reality of student life and atmosphere there. </p>

<p>New Orleans is such a unique city and the flavor of that rubs off on Tulane. For most people, that’s a plus. But it’s not for everybody.</p>

<p>Hey, thanks for your input. I actually did hear last night when I spoke with my friend who attends Tulane that James Carville is teaching a class. Very cool. This is a tough decision, I like aspects of both schools quite bit, but have yet to visit TU.</p>

<p>devin - Congrats on your acceptances to two terrific schools! I LOVED the energy at GWU when we visited with D, and I would have been happy if she’d chosen GWU for that reason alone. Tulane is much more relaxed, and of course NOLA and DC are really different city environments. A quick visit might clarify the decision for you. Good luck!</p>

<p>Totally agree with NewHope re the visit. Because these schools are in very different cities and locations within the cities, the feel of the place will matter. You owe it to yourself to visit before making the decision. Most likely, the visit will help you confirm your decision so you can feel no “what if” regret as you move forward.</p>

<p>In general, I have to believe the PolSci department of a well respected university in the heart of DC will simply have more opportunities for its students in terms of exposure, internships, great speakers, etc just because it’s in the heart of Politics in this country.</p>

<p>Let us know what you decide!</p>

<p>I think I’m having trouble deciding whether I’m going to college more for the education itself or the experience. I’d love to say only the academic factors matter in my decision, but that’s simply not true for me. Since academically the schools are essentially the same, i guess it all comes down to: where would I ENJOY myself more? I like GWU for what it would offer me in the realm of politics, but I like the campus-feel of Tulane. I love DC, it’s probably my favorite US city, but i have never been to New Orleans and I’ve only heard great things about how much there is to do and how rich the culture is. Which school has a better reputation/which is better-known? The name recognition doesn’t matter TOO much to me, but it is something to consider. I’m also curious because i’ve heard mixed reviews about the reps of both schools…</p>

<p>That’s the problem, you hear too many anecdotes, they are inconsistent or contradictory, plus you can’t have a crystal ball to know which experience would be better. BTW, there is absolutely nothing wrong with balancing other factors with the academics, that is probably half (at least) of what college is about. So don’t feel bad about that.</p>

<p>As you have heard from others, both schools are great and very different from each other. The fact that you never got to visit Tulane makes it very difficult, and since none of us know you we can hardly advise you either. As you say academically they are not that different most likely. I guess the only thought that comes to my mind is that in DC you will be in competition with tons of other political aspirants for everything. In New Orleans, I would think there are lots of political learning opportunities at the local, state and federal levels with so much post-Katrina still going on and probably years to go yet. These may be more available to you. But that is just a guess on my part.</p>

<p>Don’t know what to tell you man. There is no perfect answer. Just make a decision, don’t look back or second guess, and then have FUN!!</p>

<p>How hard is it to get home from Tulane if you live in the northeast? I live in NJ and it’s nearly impossible to get down to NOLA even to visit the campus. If it’s giving me this much trouble now, I don’t know if I can put up with that for 4 years. I think it might just be too far…</p>

<p>devinjhenry - Where in Jersey? Or more to the point, which airport(s) are available to you easily? I live in Rhode Island and Southwest flies from NOLA to Providence so good for us, although no non-stops. I know Southwest has frequent flights to Philly, and I know they are trying to get ATA’s old gates at LaGuardia. I think Newark is not in the picture for them. Finally, Baltimore is one of their hubs, so if getting there and taking the train the rest of the way is a possibility, there is a shuttle from BWI to AMTRAK station. Those are the only ways I know for Southwest, which is inexpensive. Anyway, let me know where you are in Jersey.</p>

<p>If you live near the 3 major airports in NY it’s very easy to get to NOLA. Delta and Jet Blue have non-stops and other airlines have very easy one-stops. If you were trying to get to NOLA these past 2 weekends you might have had trouble due to Jazz Fest. My older son goes back to NOLA for Jazz Fest every year since graduation and he books his flights in December. The other tough weekend is Thanksgiving. (Note to parents of incoming freshmen - book Thanksgiving now.)</p>

<p>hey, I live in northernmost NJ (Sussex County). I typically fly out of Newark or Stewart, though i have occasionally used JFK.</p>

<p>devinjhenry - OK I saw on another post of yours that you are in Wantage. I checked Southwest and they do fly to LaGuardia now, which seems OK for you. Not as convenient as Newark but not bad. Obviously schedules will change, but for example right now if you planned ahead you can fly one way for as low as $89, and Southwest doesn’t nickel and dime you with extra fees. They don’t charge for the first 2 bags and they don’t charge for aisle seats or soft drinks. So it really is $89-$119 plus tax. On Saturdays right now they even have a one stop (from NOLA to LGA) where you don’t change planes, but most of the other flights are one stops where you change planes in either Baltimore or Chicago-Midway. So if LaGuardia isn’t a bad option, that is pretty cheap, about $200-$250 round trip.</p>

<p>Wow, fallenchemist, you are a lot of help! Thanks! I’m leaning towards GW right now mainly because of the distance factor. I don’t plan on coming home all that often, but it would be nice to have the option available. We’ll see how it all works out. Hopefully I’m able to get down to NOLA to visit soon.</p>

<p>No problem, my friend. I wish you well. I know a fair amount about GW because one of my best friends’ son went there and loved it. It is totally urban as you say, and doesn’t have that “movie campus” experience, but he says it has a ton going for it, including a very active club scene/night life. You should check him out, he is having quite some success as a musician in a group called Jukebox the Ghost. All three of them are GW grads in fact, but I only know Ben. Anyway, like I said earlier, you can’t go wrong with these 2 choices. Pick well and prosper.</p>

<p>"The other tough weekend is Thanksgiving. (Note to parents of incoming freshmen - book Thanksgiving now.) "</p>

<p>As am incoming freshman parent, I have been thinking about this. How do you know when to book, when they don’t even know when their classes will be? Is there a safe time to try for?</p>

<p>For devinjhenry, We try to fly out of Newark which can be a bit difficult as Continental offers the only nonstops, and flights from MSY seem to leave early in the day. This is a problem for a campus visit or in our case orientation, but I don’t think it will affect my Daughter as much once she is there.(except maybe Thanksgiving)</p>

<p>Regarding Thanksgiving weekend - Tulane doesn’t have classes on the Wednesday before. If you want to be safe you can book a flight for Wednesday morning. I did that the first year and got grief when many of their Tuesday classes were cancelled and everybody left on Tuesday night. Since then I chance it and book Tuesday evening. So far (6 years - 2 kids) it’s worked out fine.</p>

<p>Septmbr - Good question. They get Wednesday off, so you are safe booking a morning flight for that day (what a nightmare at the airport though!). I guess you and your D would have to decide if you were comfortable with her possibly missing a class or two on Tuesday afternoon . If so, then you could book it for Tuesday evening. Not much else you can do that I can think of, unless you are going to one of the Summer Orientation sessions. If so, she would know her schedule after that unless she changed it later, and that would still give you ample time to get a good reservation.</p>

<p>At least it is better than when I was there. We didn’t get the Wednesday off, and I had a chem prof that insisted on giving a test that Wednesday. When a student complained, he responded in a very deadly voice “Is that a problem, Mr. Blake? Will you have to postpone your skiing vacation to Vale?”</p>