questions regarding Tulane from a perspective student (visiting, academic, and social questions)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Tulane University
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Major/Academic related questions:

Hi everyone! I’m a perspective student who recently got accepted to Tulane with a pretty decent scholarship, and I love the South (where all the rest of my family lives) and am really into music (especially Jazz and Blues), so I’m very very serious about Tulane (still waiting to hear from a couple other schools, but basically I’d be 100% excited to go to Tulane).

The Cognitive Studies Major sounds super interesting to me. A combination of neuroscience, philosophy, and linguistics sounds like my absolute ideal major. Does anyone here have experience in (or know someone who has experience in) this major? Do you like it? How are the professors, etc. What are research opportunities like in Neuroscience for undergrads?

Also (for anyone who knows anything about this), how are the Creative Writing courses at Tulane? Unfortunately there isn’t a minor, only a concentration if you major in English, but I’d still take as many creative writing classes as I could (that’s my ideal profession).

Do any of you have experiences with the Musical Cultures of the Gulf South Major? This also sounds like a great major for me because I love music and especially southern music, it would help me grow as a musician, etc.

I’m going to be visiting Tulane for the Top Scholars weekend and I’ll be able to sit in on classes Monday (the 4th I believe). Are there any classes that you particularly recommend?

Social Questions:

What are your best tips for finding the more bookish, stoner types? Are there certain clubs that you recommend I check out? I have a terribly weak stomach so I really hate drinking (I just get super sick) and am generally not super sociable (but still obviously want to make friends), don’t like big parties, etc… Is there a certain dorm you recommend for this social type or are they all the same?

How much do football tickets cost for students? My family is originally from Alabama so we’re Crimson through-and-through, but I can’t wait to get involved in the football culture of whatever school I go to. I’m so pumped Tulane has it’s own stadium now! (Is it on Campus? I was assuming it was.)

Does Tulane have Model United Nations? I’m honestly not sure if I want to continue to participate in MUN, especially if I’m doing a really work-intensive major and if I join the local music scene, but you never know…

What are inter-mural sports like at Tulane? Any particular recommendations for sports you enjoyed? I just want a fun semi competitive way to stay active and meet people. Nothing too serious.

Visiting Questions:

So these questions are pertaining to my visit in about a week to New Orleans for the top scholars weekend.

-What do I need to tour on campus? Any particular hang-out spots or such?
-(this was mentioned above) What classes should I sit in on? Any particularly cool ones? My favorite subjects right now are English, History, and Philosophy.
-Are there any Jazz/Blues clubs you know of that an 18 year old can get into?

Feel free to add anything else about your Tulane experience that you think a prospective student should know. I appreciate any and all answers!

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@rjmoney9

Tremendous. It is one of Tulane’s most distinctive and outstanding facets that undergrads represent a key set of resources to the faculty. It was like that when I was there in the '70’s (three publications in the top chemistry journals, one with me as first author which is a big deal in academia) and if anything it is now even more focused on this aspect of undergraduate education. My D (Class of 2013) also did an Honors Thesis in Asian Studies.

My D was a double major, English being the other and she did the creative writing concentration. She found it challenging, enjoyable, and that the teachers were quite varied in their perspective. She would get into serious disagreements with a couple of them about certain genres and writing styles, but even when they never came to a meeting of the minds they graded her very fairly on the quality of what she did, not if she acquiesced to their preferences. Tulane has some first rate authors and teachers in the faculty, and is always bringing in a variety of authors for seminars and guest teaching stints. She would tell you that it is a good program, but it might be hard to get the courses if you are not a major or at least a minor in English. But Tulane makes double majoring very easy, so you might want to consider it.

LOL, cannot comment on that last one, but if you are in the Honors Program and live in Wall, the honors dorm, you will find your tribe. That also answers one of your later questions. Besides, since you are into music and writing, and I am going to take the leap that includes poetry, I think you will find kindred spirits across a range of associations. I will also add that despite the reputation as a “party school”, which in reality it no more is than most schools, there are a lot of students that do not drink or drink very moderately.

I think the price of football tickets is still built into the tuition/fees, so you just have to show your ID. Someone correct me if that has changed. Yes, the new stadium is on campus, right by the fitness/recreation center.

As for Model UN, here is a story from a couple of yeas ago. http://tulane.edu/news/newwave/032213_nwinsider.cfm It also appears they have a current email address, so I assume it is still going strong. There is also this https://tulane.edu/liberal-arts/political-science/studentgroups.cfm Look about halfway down under TOGA.

I’ll leave the rest for others, although I may get back to you via PM about suggestions for a class or two to sit in on.

Really great questions, btw.

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Wow. All of that sounds so awesome! The more I learn about Tulane the more I love it. Thank you so much for the info!

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I’ll take this one!

You should check out Preservation Hall for sure! It’s iconic, be prepared to stand in line to get in and there is very limited seating inside, the rest is standing room only, but any Jazz aficionado should not miss it.
Also Snug Harbor, Palm Court, Irvin Mayfields Jazz Playhouse, Balcony Music Club, Spotted Cat, Blue Nile, Bombay Club, The Davenport Lounge, Fritzels, The Maison, …ok, that’s just off the top of my head. Basically the only clubs you won’t be able to get into are the ones that have video poker, they are very strict with 21+.

These clubs are not near campus for the most part but part of going to Tulane is getting to experience New Orleans! We were there at Christmas time and were in a tiny little bar and there was a small jazz band playing, came to find out they were all Tulane students!