So, Tulane is currently my top choice school and one of my best offers of admission. I love the offers for the majors I’m interested in (Public Health/Neuroscience), the focus on service, and the overall vibe of the campus. I can see myself being really happy there, but I’m kind of worried about the party scene. I like to go out every so often but I don’t want my social life to revolve only around drinking (I like to drink, but I want to create deeper relationships than just party friends) nor do I want to feel like I’m going to lose friends if I choose not to go out. One of the things that I AM most excited about is the world of festivals that they have there, so I guess I’m just feeling conflicted. I love the academic offers, but if in the end of the day the social life all revolves around partying it doesnt feel worth it to me. Any advice on how to manage it? Thanks so much in advance!!
Have you considered BYU ? Tulane is in the heart of New Orleans–uptown, if I recall correctly–where partying is a big part of life.
@collegedream412 I am a parent of a future student in full disclosure, but I would really listen to current students and alumni assessment of the true Tulane party scene and not just random people who read that Tulane is the #1 party school and come to their own conclusion based on that ranking. The best description of the party culture was actually posted but a student on these boards:
http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/tulane-university/2116822-tulane-party-culture.html
Given your interest in Public Health/Neuroscience I really don’t think you should let this often misunderstood label deter you. Tulane is well known for specifically Public Health, and their Neuroscience center and I’d hate for you to miss this opportunity. A lot of kids in Honors College are neuroscience majors and given they need to retain a 3.8GPA, you are bound to find some non-drinkers in that mix.
Hi! I’m a current freshman and yes I love to go out, but I also love to spend a Friday night in bed watching Netflix with friends. I’m really social and participate in Greek Life, but I can attest to the fact that it is SO okay to stay in whenever you want to. The great thing about Tulane is that it’s a mix of a bar scene and a greek life scene and a “exploring new orleans scene” and so much more. It’s not like a giant state school where if you miss THE party happening, you’ll feel left out. There are so many things happening all the time that people only go out when they want to. If some people have an exam the next day, it is SO okay and SO encouraged to stay in and there will be so many people doing that along with you. I was sick for so much of the beginning of this semester and didn’t go out many weekends and it was SO okay because there’s always going to be stuff happening. For example, two of my friends and I went out last Wednesday. A few of my other friends went out on Thursday while we stayed in. Then we all stayed in on Friday to hang out together. There are always so many things happening that people choose to go out based on their health, exam schedule, and personal preference and nobody judges at all. In fact, my friend literally told me when I saw her on Saturday “wow I’m jealous you stayed in last night.” I promise it’s so normal to choose when YOU want to go out and nobody will judge you and you won’t feel like you’re missing out. I would say on average I go out about twice a week (either Wed or Thurs, and either Fri or Sat). And some people choose more, and some people
choose less and you’ll always find people to hang out with no matter what and won’t feel like you’re missing out!
Actually this is the thread I meant to paste, although the one I posted above is good too. Please read it, it’s very good.
http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/2063405/party-school-redefined/
My DS visited last fall as part of the Fly-In program. This program was just students, no parents, and they stayed overnight with a host student. DS said his host was also not a big drinker and neither were his friends. They liked to hang out and “chill”. He also said the other people at the fly-in event were very similar to him. They talked more each other’s interests and what they were going to study, and not so much “I can’t wait to college so I can drink every night”. There will be those people at every college including Tulane, but Tulane’s campus culture does not emphasize drinking any more than any other college.
@AH1310: Was not aware that Tulane University was ranked as the number 1 party school, but I have spent a few years in New Orleans & know a lot of Tulane grads.
OP: As @AH1310 pointed out, Tulane is the number one (#1) ranked party school in the nation.
@collegedream412 My daughter is a neuroscience major and, like you, is service oriented. She is not a partier and has found a nice friend group who are serious-minded academically, many research oriented, with goals of graduate school, great internships and great first job opportunities. Tulane class sizes are large enough–approx. 1,800 to 1,900 in each of the past three years, that you will be able to find similar minded friends. There are lots of programs and clubs to join, including community service clubs, in addition to the community service course requirements. Tulane University Neuroscience Association (TUNA) and Women in Science & Engineering (WISE) may be ones you should look into given your stated interests. And Tulane’s school of public health and tropical medicine is one of the best and even though its downtown, you can minor in public health or take courses there. Also, Tulane’s students are one of the most academically qualified in the country and its a well run University, with Mike Fitts doing a tremendous job as President. Checkout https://news.tulane.edu/news/tulane-university-among-best-us-news-rankings Students who don’t take academics seriously or who don’t put in the required effort studying will do poorly. There will always be some students at every school that party too much—and Tulane has its share, but they are in the minority, you just need to actively seek out friends with similar values and interests. As others have mentioned before, Tulane is in New Orleans, a party city, and that, i believe, has contributed a lot to the “party school” reputation. There are lots of festivals most weekends throughout the year, with Jazz fest and Mardi Gras to name just a few. And students can visit downtown New Orleans and experience Bourbon street and the french quarter, where alcohol is relatively easy to consume. But most students do not spend every weekend going to Bourbon street and the french quarter, as they are too busy with academics, social and recreational activities in and around the uptown area where the campus is located.
My D is committed to Tulane for next year, so this was a big question in our home as well. The great thing about Tulane is that it is in an amazing city and not in the middle of nowhere where the only game in town is the go and drink at the frats in zero degree weather. Her friends at Tulane tell her there are literally music festivals every week and there is so much going on that you can be comfortable with anything you do while others around you do their thing. There is no pressure on anyone. Yes - there is a lot of drinking just like at any college - but there is SO much more than that at Tulane. Sometimes “partying” doesn’t always equate to excessive drinking. Her friends tell her not to have that “fear of missing out” so don’t skip your studying!
Tulane may have that Rep as the #1 party school, but it is also in the top 5 for happiest students as well.