<p>Does anyone know anything about the NOLA Experience? If you could only go to one, which would you choose, NOLA or Summer Orientation? I called Tulane and was told that only about 120 students participated in NOLA.</p>
<p>I would go to orientation! It seems that you would meet a greater range of people and get important information that will prepare you for the first days of classes.</p>
<p>I agree. Doesn’t it cost quite a bit to go to the NOLA experience?</p>
<p>They are very different things. First off, the reason there are only about 100 people in NOLA Exp. is that is what it is limited to from the start. Second, tlanton is right, S.O. is more about meeting with an advisor to register for classes, getting some things squared away before the chaos of Move-In and then almost immediately the first day of class, and meeting people that picked the same orientation segment that you did. NOLA Exp. is more of a very fun week of exploring New Orleans and Louisiana, and bonding with a small group. More like a mini Theme Camp for adults, and it costs $400.</p>
<p>i was wondering the same thing! i don’t think i will be able to attend summer orientation because i will be leaving the US in june and coming back mid-july. i mean…it’s ok if i cant attend orientation right? they only have june sessions…</p>
<p>i know NOLA experience is expensive…but if i could do it, how the heck do i get my stuff there? cuz u dont get to move in until…aug 18th…</p>
<p>My S2 couldn’t attend orientation either. Many students don’t. It wasn’t a problem - he registered online. There are lots of programs for Freshmen after move in.</p>
<p>Hi TV. Yes, it is OK to not do orientation, lots of people don’t. However, you might want to call and find out who your advisor is, and see if you can have a phone session with them. That way you can use the online registration system to get your classes, otherwise you will really be overwhelmed when you get there for Move-in. Here is the info for the head of advising, he or his office can get you going in the right direction:</p>
<p>Amjad Ayoubi, Ph.D.
Associate Dean
Executive Director of Career Services and Academic Advising
<a href=“mailto:amjad.ayoubi@tulane.edu”>amjad.ayoubi@tulane.edu</a><a href=“504”>/email</a> 865-5798 </p>
<p>or the more general info is:</p>
<p><a href=“mailto:advising@tulane.edu”>advising@tulane.edu</a>
[Academic</a> Advising Center](<a href=“http://advising.tulane.edu%5DAcademic”>http://advising.tulane.edu)</p>
<p>That link (Academic Advising Center) has a lot of info.</p>
<p>They say they don’t assign advisors until after July 1, but it can’t hurt to call and explain your situation. Your other option is to call as soon as you get back mid-July, since your advisor will be assigned then. At the very least, you could make an appointment for when you get there, but hopefully you and your advisor could work it out over the phone so you can get registered for classes.</p>
<p>So assuming you do the NOLA Exp., you would have to have your parents bring the rest of your stuff when they come, assuming they are coming that Friday or Saturday. If they are not, I would call the housing office and ask for advice. There may be services available with local storage companies so that if your parents are driving you there for NOLA week, you could drop your stuff off with the storage company and they would bring it on move-in day. Costs more of course, but not sure what else you could do. Maybe someone else has a clever idea.</p>
<p>Our D did the NOLA experience prior to start of her freshman year and she was traveling from NY State. She took what she needed for her particular track on the flight and we shipped the remaining items. As part of the track she got her room assigned. When she returned from the NOLA experience she was able to pick up the boxes that we shipped from home. By the time we arrived with ‘last minute things forgotten’ for move-in day… she was done. For our D it was good to do this track and start by meeting a smaller group of people for a more extensive time period because that fit her personality better…<br>
but each has to judge the time/cost/benefit for themselves.</p>
<p>I would hands down advise you to do NOLA. I did that instead of orientation (mostly for logistical reasons; I’m from CA and it didn’t make sense to fly out alone for like two days for orientation). NOLA provides an amazing, AMAZING chance to experience the city, meet people in an intimate setting, move-in early and get your feet wet before everyone else does. You form bonds with people, the campus and New Orleans before most other students; this advantage cannot be overstated. The tracks are awesome; I got to hatch an alligator, eat at some awesome cultural places, camp in Northern LA and tour plantations. I met my best friends doing NOLA. And also, all the NOLA kids have this permanent bond thing that’s lasted all year. And when you’re going to college and starting anew socially, that kind of thing is really important.</p>