<p>Hi all. My daughter was accepted to Tulane and really liked the school on our visit. She is considering biomedical engineering. Question - would you consider the student culture at Tulane more collaborative or highly competitive?</p>
<p>Definitely collaborative. Of course, in the sense that everyone tries to do their best on exams, etc. there is competition, but it is anything but cut-throat. Students help each other out all the time.</p>
<p>I agree with FC. Not only has my D found other students helpful but she has professors who encourage it as well. Her physics prof split the class up into groups for the purpose of them helping each other in their group.</p>
<p>Also along the lines of culture…how important is greek life? Would a more earthy, laid back left leaning kid who is not into greek life fit in at Tulane?</p>
<p>HSG</p>
<p>hsgrad - Emphatically yes. Greek life is, as I like to describe it, an important but decidedly not dominant aspect of Tulane’s undergraduate culture. About 2/3 of the students, maybe a little less, are not Greek. Besides that, given that everyone has New Orleans available to them, there is no dependence on the Greek system for activities. Certainly they have a lot of the parties, but a lot of students choose to go out in groups and have fun at various local establishments, or hang around playing video games, or catching a local act, or…you get the idea.</p>
<p>As far as the left leaning part, as at most college campuses you will have no trouble finding like minded peers. I get the impression there is a fairly good balance of views at Tulane, but I have no doubt it leans left.</p>
<p>hsgrad- you sound a lot like my son. And you sound like someone who will really love and appreciate NOLA as well as Tulane. While Louisiana is in a predominately conservative state, the city itself is very liberal, VERY laid back (ever hear of “NOLA time”), and individuality (and eccentricity) is not just accepted, it’s encouraged</p>
<p>My son has no interest in Greek life either but there is so much to offer at Tulane and many other ways to become involved and find like minded peers.</p>
<p>That sounds like my D as well. Very laid back, and left leaning (though not really in to politics) and probably not interested in formal Greek life (may go to some parties but not likely to pledge one); and she loves NOLA - the music, the food, the vibe. But likes to work with others in academic endeavors; not cut-throat and would not enjoy that culture at all.</p>
<p>thanks for the responses, by the way.</p>
<p>I am a current freshman at Tulane who is likely to be transferring at the conclusion of this academic year. If any perspective families and/or students have any questions regarding what factors led to this decision, or if you would like any authentic perceptions of the school (I will try to be as unbiased as possible), please feel free to posit any questions.</p>
<p>Collegebound808, why have you decided to transfer? What is your intended major?</p>
<p>collegebound- I see you have posted (pasted) this statement on three different threads. Are you going to share your reasons?</p>
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<p>At Tulane, over half of the freshman females are Greek and 40% of all undergraduate females are Greek.</p>
<p>How can any Freshmen at Tulane be Greek since they don’t pledge until Spring?</p>
<p>That’s a very good question. Maybe he meant last year’s freshman class. I know the numbers have been trending up for the women, and I think down a bit for the men, especially since one of the larger frats was suspended or revoked or something like that not too long ago. At least that is what I seem to recall. While at the same time I think there was a new chapter of a sorority started at Tulane a couple years ago, so not surprising the number would tend up. I honestly don’t follow the Greek news that closely, so I would have to research the details and don’t have the time or inclination at the moment.</p>
<p>Still, almost no matter the number, the general vibe at Tulane isn’t Greek-centric. At least that is what the students there tell me pretty consistently. I think there is just so much else to do, and the Greeks and non-Greeks hang out together pretty easily. I hope that never changes.</p>
<p>I see what you mean.
That’s the impression we got on all our visits…Greek membership isn’t a majority and it’s not exclusive…except to specific Greek events. The secretary at my sons school- her son graduated from Tulane and he was President of his Fraternity and she had nothing but wonderful things to say about it. My son is not thinking he wants to pledge, but you never know. Things change once you start meeting people and checking things out…that’s entirely up to him.</p>
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<p>Don’t ask me.
That’s what Tulane itself reports:</p>
<p><a href=“http://tulane.edu/institutional-research/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&PageID=2981135[/url]”>http://tulane.edu/institutional-research/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&PageID=2981135</a></p>
<p>I don’t make this stuff up.</p>
<p>That is a summary for the freshman class (and undergraduate population) that was at Tulane Fall 2012-Spring 2013, so my assumption was correct. It is talking about last year’s freshmen. The undergrad totals also show that I was pretty darn close with about 1/3 overall being Greek. Looks like a smidge more than 1/3.</p>
<p>A Frat was suspended until all the current members graduate. From what I understand, the suspension was primarily for not following a university directive while the school was investigating a complaint about pledging practices. The members still get together, but do not have a house.</p>