<p>Tulane University is my dream school. If I were to apply to both Harvard and Tulane and get accepted to both, I'd go to Tulane... So as you can see, my love for this school runs deep.</p>
<p>But as the time draws nearer and nearer to leaving high school and going to college, I'm starting find myself a bit reluctant on leaving everything and everyone that I know and love here in Dallas, Texas to go to New Orleans, Louisiana. I dreamt of leaving my home and being free to pursue all of my ambitions and travel the world as a philanthropic pediatrician, so one would expect this eight hour transition from my home would be fairly easy for me. But I'm starting to find that it isn't. My best friend of ten years had originally planned to apply to Tulane with me, but she changed her mind in order to get a full-ride at the University of Texas in Dallas. My mom encourages me to do whatever I wish to do, but the thought of leaving her scares me too. My mom and my best friend are both my crutches and I feel a bit of anxiety leaving them.</p>
<p>Last week, I had to drive to Mesquite (which is about 45 minutes away from my house) to have my senior pictures taken and got lost! I had a panic attack and barely managed to find my way back at home afterward. After that experience, I find myself thinking "how am I going to drive all the way to New Orleans and back home on visits by myself?"</p>
<p>I've read posts from other students who went to Louisiana from a different state, but I still feel anxious. I want a fresh start, but I'm scared.</p>
<p>Does anyone else here feel the same or has anyone felt this way, but feels better now? How did you overcome your fear? :(</p>
<p>Hopefully current students that are from a fair distance away will answer you soon, I know that is what you want. I will only point out that this is an extremely common anxiety and virtually all students get past it very quickly. The fact that 75% of Tulane students are from more than 500 miles away and yet freshman retention rates are now well over 90% also speaks to the fact that the vast majority adapt well.</p>
<p>Nicole – I have students in both cities and while the cities can’t be more different, I think that’s the best part, you’ll have the best of both worlds between school and vacations. Plus, as FC said, practically no one at Tulane is from Tulane, so you’re all in the big adventure together. </p>
<p>I’m guessing you’re not going to have to drive alone on that long distance if you have a car. There will be enough people there who will take you up on the offer of a ride somewhere close to home. </p>
<p>When you get accepted, start or join a Facebook group for the class of 2016. You’re bound to see that there are folks from your area or at least nearby. And if not, make a few friends. I’m sure students will chime in on this board too.</p>
<p>Dallas-FW is a large feeder area for Tulane, always quite a few students from there. She would have tons of people thrilled to get a ride. However, she should also know that having a car at Tulane as a freshman is very difficult.</p>
<p>The anxiety of leaving home and friends for college is normal, but I can assure you when the time comes, you will have an equal or greater amount of raw excitement and happiness with respect to your new adventure if you go to school outside of Dallas. As far as your best friend goes, you will find that you will keep in touch with your best friends, regardless of where they end up in school (if you end up at Tulane, you can bet that your friends will want to visit you in New Orleans) and you will be making new best friends in your college environment.</p>
<p>Ultimately, how far from home one chooses to go to school is a personal decision. My own opinion is that you can always return home again after school, that there is something very special about immersing yourself in a new place when you are young.</p>
<p>Go visit campus an maybe you’ll begin to get more excited to make the transition. Just a thought. Good luck. Angst about leaving friends and family is normal.</p>
<p>“Last week, I had to drive to Mesquite (which is about 45 minutes away from my house) to have my senior pictures taken and got lost! I had a panic attack and barely managed to find my way back at home afterward.”</p>
<p>Regarding driving, a GPS will guide you anywhere you want to go without major problem. Dallas to Tulane is about 521 miles. It will take you about 8.5 hours of driving. You could find other student to drive with you too. Good luck for your college application.</p>
<p>Thank y’all so much for the wonderful bits of advice. I feel more at ease about Tulane now. I’ll definitely look for/start a Facebook page and try to meet new hometown friends. It’s just that the idea of leaving my home of eighteen years and being out on my own gives me the jitters. Hopefully, I’ll adjust very quickly. Especially since it’s Tulane. :)</p>
<p>You will love Tulane. Being from the Pacific Northwest, S2 typically wins the US student from farthest way prizes. He is far from home, but loves the school and the city. Interestingly, he has made good friends from Dallas and over the fall break they all drove to Dallas, only took about 8 or 9 hours. Hmmmm, must have been going a little faster than 55 mph…</p>
<p>FYI, of the 521 miles from NO to Dallas, the most part (about 200 mile) of I-49 from I-10 to I-20, the speed limit is 75 MPH; most part (about 180 miles) of I-20 from I-49 to Dallas is 70 MPH. It will take less time travel from NO to Dallas.</p>
<p>Thanks y’all! Hopefully, I’m able to befriend people from Dallas as well. It’s funny because yesterday, I drove to an art museum at SMU in Dallas and got lost on the way back home. I definitely need to invest in a navigation system so that I’d be able to get myself to and from Dallas if I end up going to Tulane.</p>
<p>@Nicole HEY! I’m from Alabama and almost exactly as far from NOLA as you and I’ve been having the same thoughts. Although, I won’t be sure if I can go to Tulane until I know if I won DHS. I wrote in my “Why Tulane” essay that we’re all going on this adventure together and I think us out of towners will get through it PM me to talk more!</p>
<p>Yeah, Tulane is only a possibility for me IF I get a decent amount of financial aid. My parents are freaking out about it being to far away even though I’m always telling them that it really isn’t. :|</p>
<p>But I’m so grateful that there’s a lot of us out-of-towners that apparently feel the same way! :D</p>
<p>Hi! I’m also Nicole, haha. I’m applying from Rhode Island. NOLA seems like a completely different world to me & some friends applying from my school, so I definitely wouldn’t worry about feeling out of place. We will all be in the same boat.</p>
<p>Hi Oceanicole - Just wanted to let you know, in case you didn’t notice, that I am from RI also (EG). My D has been at Tulane 2 years now (3rd year student but she is in Beijing this entire academic year) but she would tell you she LOVES New Orleans and is very happy she chose Tulane. In fact, she will almost undoubtedly stay a “fifth” year because there is so much she wants to still do there, even though she could have actually graduated after 3 years had she not gone to China. She would also affirm that NOLA is very different from RI, and of course that is part of the reason she enjoys it so much. Hmmmm, I guess one could read that as saying RI is that bad, lol. No, she likes RI too, but the uniqueness of NOLA is really fascinating to her. Not to mention she likes it when it is 70 in January sometimes.</p>
<p>Some thought about college that you may consider going.
1). A college that you could get most of scholarship and/or grant money. Therefore you and your family won’t have to concern too much about the costs that related to education.
2). A college is located in the place that is not too cold or too hot but is just right for you.
3). A college that you could get great education that will help you to find a job, to get into a good professional school either in medical, law school or other schools.
4). A college that you will enjoy the most and won’t regret in 10/20 years later.
5) Etc.….</p>
<p>Hahaha. I just realized that I said “to” instead of “too”…</p>
<p>But anyway, hello Fellow Nicole! I hope you feel more at ease knowing that we’re both from a world completely different from New Orleans. Especially since you’re from RI. That’s much further from NOLA than I am, so I should stop complaining since you’re brave enough to apply! Good luck to us both!</p>
<p>Fallenchemist- Hi! I didn’t notice you were a fellow Rhode Islander. I go to SK and I have a bunch of friends that go to EG! Small world. The weather is <em>definitely</em> a plus for me. I love love love living in RI, but I want to experience something new :)</p>
<p>Nicolesaysrawr - Thanks! Good luck to you too! :)</p>
<p>Yup, I just got admitted as well and it’s my top choice, the only thing holding me back is financial aid. I still have no idea how it works to be honest, but if I get decent money in grants I will most definitely attend.</p>
<p>I know what my EFC was last year but from what my parents are telling me is that we will get mostly loans, which would most definitely not allow me to attend.</p>
<p>Hey Nicole,
I completely understand what you’re saying. Do keep in mind though that you’ll get used to it over time. If you’re not from New Orleans it can be hard to adjust, but most students get through that after a while, especially since it’s such a fun city. You’ll get lost the first few days or even weeks, but that’ll happen no matter where you go to school. If you’re really in love with Tulane, definitely apply. Don’t let fear of the location stop you.</p>
I’ll definitely look for/start a Facebook page and try to meet new hometown friends. It’s just that the idea of leaving my home of eighteen years and being out on my own gives me the jitters. Hopefully, I’ll adjust very quickly. Especially since it’s Tulane. :)</p>
I hope you feel more at ease knowing that we’re both from a world completely different from New Orleans. Especially since you’re from RI. That’s much further from NOLA than I am, so I should stop complaining since you’re brave enough to apply!