<p>Tulane</a> University - Undergraduate Applications at Record Level</p>
<p>Came across this article, that's ridiculous!</p>
<p>Has anyone been back to New Orleans in the past few months, and if so, what did you think of the city? I'm just vaguely curious as to what it's like there.</p>
<p>It's mostly marketing. They shove the app down your throat where you apply even if you aren't that interested just to get them off your back.</p>
<p>Why on earth do people think that just because Katrina happened once it won't happen again? I just don't get it.</p>
<p>I know someone who applied EA to Tulane because it's free. He got in, but says there's no way he'd ever go there.</p>
<p>By the way, the schools to which he's applying are not neccessarily better or more prestigious than Tulane, either.</p>
<p>Notre Dame, Rutgers, TCNJ, NJIT</p>
<p>It's all a little strange, if you ask me.</p>
<p>Good for them.</p>
<p>New Orleans is a gem of a city. They need brilliant minds to help get them back on their feet. It would be a shame if our generation didn't do our part to save such a cool, culturally rich place. </p>
<p>
[quote]
Why on earth do people think that just because Katrina happened once it won't happen again? I just don't get it.
[/quote]
Hurricanes happen. It's a fact of life. But ones as devestating as Katrina are pretty rare, and the city is significantly better prepared to deal with it in the future. I believe they're changing the infrastructure of the whole area to make it more hurricane-safe.</p>
<p>There was a sort of competition at our school between all the seniors in IB classes to see who could get the highest merit award from Tulane. I think 30 people applied. None have any intention of going. I received 20+ mailings and e-mails, despite having never requested anything. They look desperate.</p>
<p>Wait until you see the yield.</p>
<p>It's called marketing.. and it seems they have been very successful at getting their name out among college-seekers. </p>
<p>If it attracts high caliber applicants that they can then pick from then it's done the job. It's nice to see there are indeed quality candidates not only applying but also enrolling at Tulane. Likewise, it's nice to see students excited about getting involved in rebuilding communities!</p>
<p>New Orleans itself is definitely worth the visit.</p>
<p>Tulane is a VERY prestigious school in the South. It has a remarkable history and a stunning campus. Sadly, New Orleans has not faired very well since Katrina with a rise in crime. But people I know who attend Tulane love it. It has a superb faculty and a zealous alumnae association.</p>
<p>Turn it away if you will, but its a great school. I commend it to anyone with a modicum of interest.</p>
<p>I have been to New Orleans, in both the bad areas and the good (including Tulane's neighborhood). The trend is definitely up for both the city and the school although the school’s flight path has been steadier and steeper. If you visit Tulane, you will see a thriving campus. There is virtually no sign of Katrina damage anywhere unless you want to consider that some of the trees probably lost some branches. Otherwise, Katrina’s physical impact is close to zero on Tulane’s campus. If your gauge of New Orleans’s health is going to be Tulane and the Uptown/Garden districts, expect to be pleased. </p>
<p>In greater New Orleans, the picture is not nearly as sunny. The exception is the French Quarter which never got much damage (no water to speak of) and again, if you were to go there today, you would see scant evidence of Katrina’s impact. Tourism has always been a big part of the city’s economy and the convention trade has historically been an important part of this. For the most part, this has returned and the hotels and the restaurants (of which there are many terrific ones) are once again doing pretty well. </p>
<p>The new governor of Louisiana is exciting many locals and may be able to make some headway, but the rebuilding of the areas hardest hit by Katrina is one tall task and will take time. The federal government has been/is throwing a lot of money into New Orleans and that has certainly helped the city and the professional sports teams are still there, but the jury is still out on whether they will be there 5-10 years from now. The city needs to expand its business beyond tourism and the port (the Mississippi river is very impressive and busy here) and rebuild some of the wealth, but it has not been easy so far. </p>
<p>In the areas hardest hit by Katrina (important fact: this is about 4-5 miles from Tulane’s campus), folks are moving back in depending on the neighborhood and the block. A lot of folks left and aren’t ever coming back which isn’t all bad in financial terms as many were a drain on the city’s meager social services. There was great poverty before and there is great poverty now. In these neighborhoods, Katrina made a bad situation worse and it will take decades for this to change to reflect a middle class neighborhood. If your gauge of New Orleans’s health is going to be these neighborhoods, expect to be disappointed. </p>
<p>One of the good things that has come out of this is how the Katrina experience has changed Tulane. I agree with the comments above about the numbers of applications and how this is a pretty heavily inflated number. But if you are focusing on this, you are looking at the wrong thing. Tulane is now arguably the college with the best opportunity for service work of any college anywhere in the USA. Beyond the full scholarships that the school offers for some service-minded students, the curriculum involves nearly every undergraduate in some aspect of serving. Tulane’s relationship with the community has evolved and grown tremendously and how its graduates now view their role in the world is measurably altered. They get it now. And that is no small change. And yet even with that change, Tulane has still retained its personality as the school is still fun, the school is still academically excellent, and New Orleans is still an extremely unique place to spend four years of college.</p>
<p>Again, why would someone want to live in that city? The city is in worse shape now than before Katrina, NOTHING is better and again, it's only a matter of time until they get dusted again. The city is made in a bowl, lower than sea level. It's not rocket surgery to predict another Katrina. Ugh, and don't tll me their decision doesn't affect me, because when Katrina happens again, the tax payers will pay through the nose...again. Either build the city up above sea level or abandon it and move on...</p>
<p>... "rocket surgery?" Brain surgery? Rocket science?</p>
<p>Sorry, I couldn't resist. ;)</p>
<p>Yeah, they got me to apply as well. Ended up withdrawing the app b/c there was almost no chance I'd go. It's just too expensive, even with merit aid...</p>
<p>Still, love to hear good news out of NO.</p>
<p>Bobby Jindal, 2012! (let's get this going now)</p>
<p>I posted this, because I have never heard of a 100% year to year increase in application number, for a school of this size. </p>
<p>They can send you all the junk(ie. WUSTL) but you still have to send an application fee. And this is especially strange since unlike some other private schools, I don't believe this is the first year that Tulane is accepting the Common App.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Again, why would someone want to live in that city? The city is in worse shape now than before Katrina, NOTHING is better and again, it's only a matter of time until they get dusted again. The city is made in a bowl, lower than sea level. It's not rocket surgery to predict another Katrina. Ugh, and don't tll me their decision doesn't affect me, because when Katrina happens again, the tax payers will pay through the nose...again. Either build the city up above sea level or abandon it and move on...
[/quote]
No offense, but that's a pretty ignorant viewpoint. </p>
<p>New Orleans is a great city. There's such a rich local culture there. It would be a true shame to see the city fade away. Have you ever been to Mardi Gras? Have you ever seen the old French architecture or tasted the food?</p>
<p>Sure, there have been hard times, but there have also been prosperous times. We can't give up on such a great historical city </p>
<p>If the Roman Empire could solve major ecological problems (such as irrigation) way back when, I'm confident that the city can find a more effective way to protect against hurricanes in 2008.</p>
<p>keefer,
They actually waive the fee in many cases. But I agree that a 100% increase to 34,000 applications is ridiculous. Yield remains the biggest hurdle but there are so many questions in the minds of applicants about how viable the school and the city are, that this concern/objection must first be overcome. The solicitations for applications were an effort in that direction. Probably the marketing dept. went a little overboard in their zeal to attract applicants and prove that there is still life in New Orleans. I would expect this to calm down in the years ahead as people get more comfortable with the situation in New Orleans.</p>
<p>hey tomslawski,</p>
<p>Yea, you're right. Forget all the people whose roots are in the most unique city in America. Let's just destory the wrteched bowl of a city and displace the hundreds of thousands of New Orleanians yet again! </p>
<p>Seriously, if you ever spouted this garbage to my face, I'd punch your face in. Try looking at post-Katrina New Orleans with a tinge of humanity next time you enter into this thread.</p>
<p>Violence never solves anything ....</p>
<p>I have like 60 emails from them...im sure they sent everyone those same emails, telling them to apply with their prioritty applications and stuff...they probably spent soooo much time advertising.</p>
<p>hawkette, spot on. Good job. Wonderful job.</p>
<p>You provided a pretty balanced view of what's facing the city and the school and what they still have to offer a student. I think your insight into the service aspect of the school bears investigation. You may very well be right. That wouldn't be a bad thing , would it? </p>
<p>I can't remember the pre-Katrina marketing tools specifically, but I have a memory of one that went like this - "Tulane has more students from at least 500 miles away attending than __<strong><em>" . I don't have the foggiest idea what _</em></strong>_ was, but I do remember being impressed with (whatever was filled in). ;) </p>
<p>I wonder how or if the demographics of entering classes have changed. Has anyone checked the CDS (if available)?</p>