<p>I have narrowed my choices down to Tulane and Pitt and right now, they're pretty much dead even. It's very important to me that the school I choose has a good balance between the academia and the social scene. With both schools, I am worried about the party scene. I want to be able to go to a frat party one weekend, go out into town the weekend after that, and stay in my dorm room the weekend after that and not feel ostracized for it. I don't want to be pressured into doing anything I don't want to, but I still want to have a social life and friends. Also, I am an undecided major, so it's very important that whatever school I choose be accommodating and helpful (helpful advisers, engaging professors). I don't plan on joining a sorority, so I want to make sure that Greek life doesn't dominate and that there are good Greek/Non-Greek relations.</p>
<p>I really like Tulane's size, academic reputation, the city of New Orleans, and the fact that the students are from all over the country. However, I am concerned about the type of students that attend Tulane - I want to avoid the stereotypical Southern college student (preppy, conceited) because I'm pretty laid back about appearance. Also, being from the North, I'm not sure how I'm going to be able to handle the weather (humidity, hurricanes).</p>
<p>With Pitt, I love the atmosphere of both Pitt and Pittsburgh in which people love their school, sports teams, and city and aren't afraid to let you know. I am worried about the lack of diversity (70% from Pennsylvania) and the quality of education and value of degree (in relation to a private school education like Tulane). Pitt is also much larger and I don't want to feel overwhelmed or have trouble getting involved.</p>
<p>I would really appreciate any information on either of these schools or any of these topics!</p>
I have a daughter enjoying that kind of life at Pitt right now. She switched majors while there and they were very helpful with that. My guess is, because Pitt is a flexible university, they would accommodate you as an undecided, but I have no experience with it.</p>
<p>I don’t know anything about Tulane, but I will say that both of my daughter’s refused to look at a school in the south because they would be too hot. I thought they were being too restrictive, but what do I know?</p>
<p>My brother was actually making the same exact decision. He wound up choosing Pitt, and I think was pretty happy with his choice. He wasn’t set on going Greek before heading to college, but he actually wound up being a founding member of a new fraternity chapter while he was there. Pitt has a large diversity of academic offerings. I know he said a number of his classes were either too easy, or he had a hard time staying motivated because the classes were so large. That said, he was taking classes like Russian Fairytales with 300 other students. I know his friends in the engineering college were a little happier since classes were a bit smaller. Same with people in the honors college. He did love being part of a Division I school and the spirit that comes with it.</p>
<p>I went to school at CMU down the road, and I also loved living in Pittsburgh. There’s a ton of things to do in the city, you get a free bus pass to get around town, and Pittsburgh is just a very laid back city with something to please everyone. Don’t trust the people that say the city is dirty; it’s been named America’s most livable city a number of times.</p>
<p>As for 70% being from Pennsylvania, remember it’s a really big state. I had as long of a ride from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh as I have to go from Los Angeles to San Francisco now. There’s also a bunch of states near Pittsburgh. Heck, my friend from Toronto had a shorter drive home than I did, and I lived within the state!</p>
<p>My daughter is a senior at Pitt and has been pretty happy. Her classes have not been large outside of freshman lectures in the sciences, but she was taking math and Japanese.</p>
<p>A girl I know went to Tulane as a pre-vet major and has been quite happy there. </p>
<p>To me, this decision may be more about where you want to live when you graduate. My daughter did not want to go to school in the South at all. </p>
<p>Tulane doesn’t have a typical student, it’s so diverse, especially with Loyola next door. Greek life is definitely present but it’s not overbearing. You definitely will know where frat row is. Intro class size can be big but as you get to more specialized classes, they become a lot smaller. Overall, it’s a fun school with plenty to do on and off campus and is located in a fantastic city!</p>
<ol>
<li>Both are on the same level academically. </li>
<li>Tulane students have higher stats which means its harder to get into.</li>
<li>You can’t go wrong with either.</li>
<li>Choose one based on your financial situation and the college environment.</li>
</ol>
<p>Scutrules, I know the Tulane student body is primarily East Coast. Does this have a noticeable effect? I have heard some people complaining about this, yet you didn’t seem too affected in your post.</p>