<ol>
<li><p>Diversity diversity diversity. I never really thought about it before but my parents were saying how they've heard people in the South are often prejudiced (I mean, I've heard that rumor too). As an Asian American, am I really going to have any problems making friends if I go out of my way to meet people and introduce myself and stuff?</p></li>
<li><p>Are all of the honors weekends and events over? If I visit when there's no event when I visit, am I going to have trouble meeting people?</p></li>
<li><p>If I have specific questions to ask about Tulane, can I call and ask to talk to a specific person? In particular, I wanted to speak to Dr. Kaplan (academic advisor for the dual degree program) and if I don't get a chance to visit by May 1, I want to at least speak on the phone with him to make sure I'm not screwing myself out of a major if I go to Tulane for MechE/Physics</p></li>
<li><p>How do I get in touch with current students in my major? I have a facebook obviously and i';m part of the class of '14 group but that's just incoming freshmen, not current students</p></li>
</ol>
<p>ok, I don’t know about any of the other ones, but I think I can help you with #1 since I am from the deep south myself (Alabama)
There is definitely some prejudices down in the South, but not many people our age and definitely not toward asian-americans. I have many friends of all different ethnicities. Also, having about 75% of kids from 500 miles away or more (I think that’s the stat), there will not be many people from the South. You will have no problem making friends in my opinion.</p>
<p>I’m an Asian American from NY, and there is a very notable lack of diversity at Tulane, no matter how admissions tries to spin it. But when I visited, I never felt any prejudice against me. Most students are from California and NY apparently, as well.</p>
<p>The South is most likely no more or less prejudice than any other area of the country. Sure, rural areas are going to be more filled with prejudice people than urban areas and there are more rural areas in the South than in the North East ect., but the reputation of the South as the sole hotbed of prejudice in the country is completely misguided and severely outdated. </p>
<p>Sure there are the occasional bad apples but the idea that there aren’t the same racist folk in NY or California is plain incorrect. Ignorance is allowed to fly and drive and it’s unfortunately everywhere. It’s not confined or exclusive to the Southern states. </p>
<p>Heck… Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey had segregated schools until the NAACP ended it with lawsuits during the 1940s. Indiana desegregated all schools in 1949. (props to Wikipedia)</p>
<p>IF you do venture into more RURAL areas and encounter a racist person, Jewish people, African Americans, and Homosexuals are the three largest groups that you’ll ever hear anything about. By contrast New Orleans is 70% black, Tulane is around 30% jewish, and New Orleans is one of the most gay friendly cities in the US (see Southern Decadence). I highly doubt if you ever experience ANY remotely prejudice situation while in New Orleans let alone Tulane. </p>
<p>I’ll add one more thing, leeduh is absolutely correct in that while geographically diverse, Tulane is not very ethnically diverse. It’s a shame for sure. I still felt though, when I attended both for grad school and for undergrad, that it had enough people of differing viewpoints and backgrounds that it provided a varied learning environment which is really what you are looking for when you seek out an ethnically diverse group. As a city, the largest Asian population is by far the Vietnamese community (around 25,000.) </p>
<p>Hope this quelled some of your apprehension about diversity with regards to prejudice. Best of luck in school!</p>
<p>What is your major? If you list it on here current students may be able to help. Also, there may be a club/organization for that particular field.</p>
<p>I just want to point out that though in the south, New Orleans is a very unique and much more liberal city than a lot of the area. That being said, Tulane is geographically diverse, but not really racially/ethnically diverse. I can honestly say, however, that students here are not prejudice to other races and ethnicities. I personally feel as if there are quite a few Asian Americans… I doubt you will have any trouble making friends due to you race/ethnicity.</p>
<p>As far as I know both Honors weekends have occured, but if you visit at any point you can always stop students and ask them questions. It does happen and no one will think you’re crazy. </p>
<p>In all honesty, I wouldn’t stress about the major situation. I came here as an engineering major and after one semester I dropped it. Plus at Tulane you don’t officially declare your major until the beginning of Sophomore year so talking to someone now about your major will do nothing for you. I’d say Tulane offers what you want as do many other schools, now focus on making sure that the school itself is a good fit. No matter what, if you don’t like the school you won’t do well in your classes.</p>
<p>I have to say that the ***** reviews (on a competing board of CC) of Tulane by kids who are not White gave me some pause in terms of the climate for diversity – [Tulane</a> University Reviews - Tulane | *****](<a href=“http://■■■■■■/8XzdPD]Tulane”>http://■■■■■■/8XzdPD) . </p>
<p>One of them didn’t think much of the Asian student group:
<a href="http://www..com/tulane_university/reviews/10515/%5B/url%5D">http://www..com/tulane_university/reviews/10515/</a></p>
<p>Remember, though, that anyone can write anything on such review sites, and there are probably others you could find who would counter those perceptions.</p>
<p>Like any student at university, you will get from Tulane what you make of it, so you should seek out groups and activities that interest you – perhaps focusing on some that promote tolerance and diversity.</p>
<p>Good luck – I am sure you can help create a wonderful experience for yourself at Tulane.</p>
<p>I live in New Orleans, and have for the last 20 years. The thing about the Asian population at Tulane is that it’s relatively representative of the region as a whole. New Orleans’ only significantly sized Asian population is the Vietnamese population that live in New Orleans East. There are a significant number of Indians as well, but not near the number of the Vietnamese population. </p>
<p>The number of Asians that you’ll find on the West Coast or in other parts of the country simply don’t exist in the South in general. </p>
<p>In terms of Asian nationals (particularly from China) at Tulane, there is a substantial number. </p>
<p>Tulane and New Orleans are not going to be prejudice, there simply aren’t the numbers of Asians in the region for there to be a large number at most Southern schools. </p>