Tulane (honors) vs. U Chicago vs CMU

Colleges and Universities A-Z Tulane University
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<p>After a long stint in first place for S's affections, Tulane has now slipped to third behind UChicago and CMU, which are currently neck and neck. (It helped their cases when UC and CMU actually accepted him). Probable major is cognitive science or psychology, but also wants to take creative writing courses. ECs that he would like to continue include theater, improv, and capoeira. </p>

<p>All three are in an interesting urban location. It looks like UC would provide the best "liberal education". CMU has a very strong program in cognitive science. Tulane would be less expensive while still providing a high quality education in most fields, but maybe not in cognitive science. </p>

<p>Anything else we should think about?</p>

2

<p>Well, a lot depends on your financial circumstances and how much debt and/or hardship attending the other schools would mean. I have enormous respect for both those schools, although I don’t know much about their strengths in those particular areas. As an aside, and not that it matters now, but Saul Bellow was a faculty member at Chicago, and he happens to be a favorite of mine. No idea if that really speaks to the strength of their faculty in that area, though.</p>

<p>Anyway, Chicago is of course famous for their core curriculum. Tulane does, however, have an excellent year long Honors Colloquium for freshmen that involves much of the same kind of “great books” approach. My D, who is taking that course, is 4 feet away from me now writing a paper on comparing the women in Dostoyevsky’s “The Idiot” and Flaubert’s “Sentimental Education”. I believe they have similar colloquia in later years as well. New Orleans has always been a mecca for writers, as has Chicago. U Chicago has a reputation, more so than the other two, for students that love to have philosophical discussions deep into the night. That of course happens at the other two schools as well, but Tulane is definitely a little more laid back. But as idad has pointed out from experience, the academics are really not that far apart, especially in Tulane’s Honors Program.</p>

<p>I don’t know quite how to compare CMU in this discussion, it is structured differently and is generally known more for mathematical prowess, although they do have some outstanding humanities programs also. Three great choices, aren’t they. I can see the dilemma.</p>

<p>If you can put finances aside, then he just has to go with his gut. There really is no factor that seems to jump out to push the decision towards one school or another.</p>

<p>Best of luck.</p>

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<p>@Motherbear </p>

<p>Congrats to your S. That is a really impressive list no matter where he decides to go. </p>

<p>I have a few comments: </p>

<ol>
<li>Given his academic interests, there is a good chance that Tulane will afford him more opportunities to build his resume/gain experience in his field. Having heard from some friends at other schools, some feel like it can it be hard getting a professor’s attention or the necessary funding to do research at some of the highest ranked universities. </li>
</ol>

<p>As a student in a ‘soft science’ at Tulane, my experience (and those of my friends) has been very positive when it comes to finding research opportunities and internships. Being a big fish in a smaller pond has its advantages. For those who want to excel, it isn’t very difficult to get the resources to complete a project (I know this has been the case for some of my friends in the Psych department). </p>

<ol>
<li>Specifically in regard to CMU, it will almost definitely be easier for your S to get involved with theater as a non-theater major. CMU’s two specialties are traditionally its drama and engineering programs, and I have heard that it can be difficult to get involved with theater as an outsider to the program. </li>
</ol>

<p>However, although Tulane has a solid theater program, I know that it is pretty easy to get involved even if you are not a theater major/minor. Tulane is likely an ideal fit for this EC if that is a factor in his decision. </p>

<p>Anyway, best of luck to your S. There’s no wrong choice with those three schools.</p>

4

<p>I have to have full disclosure here, I did my graduate training at Chicago (no undergrad degree from a school I ever attended, I know, …its a long story) and consider it my alma mater. I also have a son who attends U of C. Chicago is second to none in its commitment to inquiry, ideas, and rigorous study. It is a world-class university that is in the midst of a major faculty and facilities expansion, hiring 100 new faculty and building a 13 story center for the performing arts, with a rooftop theater.</p>

<p>Much of the fun of being at Chicago is living the “life of the mind” basically 24/7. I remember a call I got from S1 his first year. It was 11 pm in Chicago and his dorm house was having an ice cream social to encourage the kids to take a study break. It was a Sunday night, the second week of the quarter. (It is not, however, were fun goes to die, S1 has had a great time and social life as well.)</p>

<p>S2 has visited his brother frequently, and has taken a summer course from the College, which was a life changing experience for him. After much consideration, he decided it was not for him. He wanted a more laid back atmosphere that would approach a Chicago-like education. He did not apply, afraid if accepted he would have to attend (he was right, just kidding, well kind of…, no not really, but he was smart not to apply.). So the search began with LACs and universities. He did quite well in the college acceptance game and had many choices. He chose Tulane. </p>

<p>As for CMU, all I know is I had a niece who attended for a year, did well GPA wise, but did not like it at all and transferred to a different school where she was quite happy and successful. This is a small sample and should be considered accordingly.</p>

<p>As Fallenchemist so accurately described, one has to visit, try and understand the culture of the college, and go with one’s gut.</p>

5

<p>My son is turning down the U of C in favor of Tulane. Since both his parents are U of C alumni this is a big deal.</p>

<p>Quite frankly, it boiled down to a quality of life decision. As the U of C is constantly telling us, they’re all about “Life of the Mind,” and that’s great, but there’s more to college than pulling all-nighters in the library, and he feels that Tulane has more to offer outside the classroom. I guess the U of C is about the mind, and Tulane is a total body experience.</p>

<p>I don’t know how you quantify any of this, and every potential student will draw their own conclusions, but for him the Tulane/New Orleans environment just clicked from the moment we got off the streetcar. </p>

<p>From his parents’ point of view, the money Tulane offered certainly eased the shock. When Tulane is there for about half the price of the U of C, any academic advantage U of C has is quickly forgotten.</p>

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<p>Thanks very much for the responses. </p>

<p>@idad, I was hoping you would reply. Thanks.</p>

<p>@Scorpio1-- a questions. Does Tulane have more to offer outside the classroom than UC because students have more time for other things since they aren’t studying so much, or is there some sense in which Tulane has better EC opportunities?</p>

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<p>I can answer this for Scorpio. Tulane has more things to do outside the classroom because it isn’t -20 degrees with howling winds half the school year! OK, kidding (sort of). I am sure Scorpio will expand on his post.</p>

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<p>They have those wheelchair races set up yet, FC? ;)</p>

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<p>I don’t know, I sent mine back, remember?</p>

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<p>Well, I hesitate to answer because its been many years since I lived in Hyde Park and things have changed, almost certainly for the better.</p>

<p>That said, Hyde Park is an island in the middle of the Southside. That island is larger than it used to be, but U of C students really aren’t likely to spend much time in the surrounding neighborhoods. Yes, you can go to the Loop or the Northside, and people do, but it isn’t as easy as it might seem. Unless you have a car it is 30+ minutes via public transportation, and you probably don’t want to return at 2AM unless you’re traveling in force. And all kidding aside, standing waiting for a bus or El is not really something that’s very appealing in January. There is nothing quite like the wind off Lake Michigan after it comes down from Canada across that frozen water at 30mph. You tend to stay in Hyde Park.</p>

<p>Now Hyde Park is a wonderful place, but it isn’t a classic college town. If you think Hyde Park is going to be like Berkeley or Madison you’re in for a shock. It’s not a place geared for kids. It’s an adult community where college kids are welcome, but the U of C undergrads are a very small percentage of the population, so an undergrad should be prepared to adapt to Hyde Park, not vice versa. When I go back and eat in my old restaurants, drink in my old bars, and browse in my old bookstores, I am very seldom aware of being around undergrads. They’re there of course, but they are almost invisible–they just blend in.</p>

<p>I think a Tulane student has a larger base of operations (although Chicago certainly has more to offer than New Orleans overall). It’s my impression that a Tulane student will get off campus and/or out of the immediate neighborhood more often than their U of C counterpart just because St. Charles Ave. and Magazine Street are close at hand, and the French Quarter is always beckoning. I think the streetcar opens their world a bit, and, yes, the fact that the climate is better almost certainly helps too.</p>

<p>As far as workload, who knows. U of C students tend to study a lot, but when the A Level of the library is the social center of the campus, a lot of what passes for “studying” may not be as productive as they want you to believe. I really can’t compare the two, but I have read several threads that talked about how well the Tulane students who went to the U of C after Katrina managed at Chicago, so it can’t be too much different, right? </p>

<p>I’ve kept quiet around my son, because I want him to make his own decision, so I’m actually saying more in these threads than I have to him, but the more I think about Tulane the more convinced I am that it is a very unique and special place, and this is an unusually good time to be there, especially if you’re an 18 year old with a good head on your shoulders.</p>

<p>New Orleans is at a crossroads after Katrina, and if things break just right, the town could transform itself into one of North America’s truly great cities in the next few decades. There is so much opportunity there, and whatever happens Tulane and New Orleans are so tightly linked that Tulane (and Tulane students) will by necessity be a huge part of the city’s future. It’s like being in San Francisco after the earthquake or Chicago after the fire–the opportunities are everywhere.</p>

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<p>There are now student buses that run express to areas downtown Chicago and back giving students more direct access. New Gold Line EL service will start in a couple of years from what understand that will directly link Hyde Park to the rest of the city. The university is rebuilding the area near 53rd and Harper into a more student oriented business area. It will have coffee shops, restaurants, movie theaters, etc., and will have a 200 room hotel, which is badly needed in Hyde Park. The academics at Chicago are second to none. It is a unique educational experience unmatched by any other university. It is not, however, for everyone. It was for S1, but not for S2, who is excited about attending Tulane and getting to know New Orleans.</p>

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<p>In all honesty, I believe that when one puts academics aside Tulane and UofC are completely different. </p>

<p>I cannot speak on behalf of Chicago, but I can of Tulane. </p>

<p>As a student at Tulane I can honestly tell you that I love it here. I look forward to coming back after breaks and I consider New Orleans and Tulane to be my home, not just my school. I am from the Northeast and I never thought that I would feel so connected to a city like I do to New Orleans. It is a fascinating place with a lot of culture. That being said, Tulane students are really important to the city of New Orleans and vice versa. Students here incorporate New Orleans into their lives. Students here have a good balance between academics and fun (and actually living) which helps the students grow in ways that simply studying and reading cannot. Tulane students are by far the smartest people I know, many of which turned down schools as good as, if not better than UofC and CMU. </p>

<p>Because Tulane is a smaller sized school, but with a great reputation, the opportunities seem greater. It is very easy to double major and your son can major in psychology/neuroscience as well as writing/english. I can also tell you that he will easily be able to continue with theater whether or not he is majoring/minoring in it. That being said, Tulane does have fine arts requirements so he can even take theater/communications courses. </p>

<p>I really can’t explain the point that I am trying to make, but Tulane is such a unique and amazing place. So many people love it here. I cannot explain how it feels, but as soon as I stepped on campus, I knew Tulane was the school for me. It had the right vibe and energy and just sense of comfort. </p>

<p>I would also argue that Tulane’s neuroscience program is something he should look into. I believe it to be very strong here at Tulane with a lot of opportunities for participating in research because it is not the only major that people come here for. I think it is important to take that into consideration.</p>

<p>Sorry that this post is so disorganized. Its so hard for me to process how much I love Tulane and how perfect it is.</p>

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<p>Thanks again for all the info everyone has posted!</p>

<p>S will be visiting Tulane tomorrow. I assume if he goes to the Fridays at Newcomb event with writer Paula Morris, he’ll be likely to get to meet lots of Tulane writers. </p>

<p>Any other suggestions beyond the scheduled “Destination Tulane” stuff?</p>

14

<p>Just the usual that has been on these boards and I am sure you have read. Go eat at Camillia Grill once if you want some very basic but local flavor, take the streetcar (I am sure you are anyway), get som beignets at Cafe du Monde in the French Market, check out Audubon Park and Magazine Street if you have time. Just depends on how much time you have. Where are you staying?</p>

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<p>Unfortunately, I can’t go, just S and H. (sniff) They are going to arrive very late tonight and leave very early Saturday morning, so I think they are going to stay near the airport. </p>

<p>I guess the question is more about ways to get the real scoop about Tulane rather than experiencing New Orleans–it looks like they’ll have Friday evening for that, unless they go to a Tulane theater production.</p>

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<p>Tell them to walk over to Jacques Imos for dinner, but get there early!</p>

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<p>Hey- you are in luck! Tulane is having a crawfest this weekend! If you asre on the TU admissions twitter you can see a pic of the big banner</p>