DD is has been admitted to both, out of state. She is leaning towards Tulane, cost is not a factor, she is interested in Political Science and Comparative Lit. She is a very strong student and also quite social. Would love to hear your thoughts.
Hi there, I just saw this. My daughter is a Plan II/Government freshman. I don’t know much about Tulane but we are loving her PII experience. The classes are small and intimate , and there are all kinds of groups to join. We live in Austin and she brings by tons of friends (we feed them!) Every one of these Plan II kids has been not just smart, but friendly and down to earth. They are all highly motivated and serous students (maybe a bit pretentious, lol) but warm and welcoming. The camaraderie in the honors dorm is palpable. My daughter made connections right away. She is having a blast, academically and socially.
There are a TON of politically motivated students in Plan II. You can get a certificate in Public Policy if that’s of interest. There is no Poli Sci major, just 2 tracks within the Gov major. But lots of ways to pair it with various minors.
The year long Plan II world lit class that all freshman take is phenomenal. Top notch. They are getting such an education in how to think. My daughter also enjoyed her seminar (Criminal Justice Reform); there were many to choose from. It’s very discussion based, with tons of writing. She is looking forward to the required Plan II philosophy class next year.
She started the semester with the Plan II welcome barbecue and a small book club facilitated by a professor. It was a good way to meet people from day 1.
Couldn’t be happier with her experience. She’s so happy.
S is an OOS sophomore at UT, in McCombs. He also got in some really good private schools (Vanderbilt, Wake Forest), but UT was his first choice and he loves it.
My advice is for you and D to visit each of UT and Tulane at least twice for long weekends between now and May 1, if possible, and hopefully that will help her decide. We did that with S, and it solidified his choice of UT. We actually went during “roundup” weekend, which is a campus-wide fraternity party weekend usually at the end of March - S got to not only do admissions stuff and tours, but also connect with fraternity guys and freshmen rushing (not sure if girls do that or not - their rush is different and before school starts in August). Anyway, Plan II is an awesome program, I think every bit as good as the better private schools, and so I think your D has great options. Again, visit both as much as you can and hopefully her choice will be clear.
Plan II has an incredible reputation, and has for many years. If it were my child, I would strongly encourage her to go the Plan II route.
Our daughter is a sophomore Plan II/Government major, and I would echo every point made by Meadow530 above. I can’t speak for Tulane, but as a parent I could not be more pleased with the education and experience she’s getting in the Plan II program. Class size, quality of the professors, research opportunities, caliber of the other students she’s learning with and making friendships with, all just top notch. I’m certain there are other schools that also provide great educations, but I’d put UT’s Plan II up against any of them.
You guys are giving me goosebumps! I’m so excited for my son. He has some amazing offers, but UT and Plan II totally won him over (he’s already accepted). It’s giving him the small school academic intimacy that he loves with D1 athletics and an urban campus. Check. check. Check!
UT is a much higher-rated school overall. But I get the draw of Tulane for some people. Really have to go and see which enviornment he is more comfortable in. The cities. The dorms (required for 2 years at Tulane). The student population, male/female ratio, rah rah feel, greek life/frat houses, etc. Hard to say without know what is important to him. Honestly whatever he decides he will feel like he made the best choice!
If I could turn back time and redo my college years, it would be among the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and the University of Vermont in Burlington or the College of Charleston in South Carolina. And I love New Orleans and have spent a couple of years there. Plus, Austin City Limits is a great TV program.
In my opinion, this is a clear “no contest” decision.
I went to Tulane and loved it, but my son is a P2/Engineering Freshman and he loves it. I’m a big fan of P2.
FWIW Austin, Texas has been named as The Best Place To Live In America by US News for 3 consecutive years.