<p>I was just accepted into Tulane today and I was wondering what the social life is like. Is it all frat parties or is it all bars? Like do the students go to downtown or the french quarter a lot at night? I learned that they do not rush until the second semester so what do freshmen do first semester? Do you hang out with your dorm mates or are the dorms not much of a community. thanks.</p>
<p>CONGRATS ON BEING ACCEPTED! I know you were waiting on your decision forever. I bet that’s a huge relief!</p>
<p>yay! Congrats! Hopefully some current students will chime in on the social life.
It seemed to me from our visits that there is always something happening on campus and that students do venture into the quarter for activities at times. In general for any college, join some clubs or activities or intramurals or club sports that appeal to you and you will find like minded people.</p>
<p>Hi 14wilsc12,</p>
<p>I recently answered a question similar to this on another thread. To answer your questions, the social life at Tulane is truly like no other. I am not sure if you have visited yet, but Tulane is located about 15 minutes by street car from downtown New Orleans. Tulane itself is in the uptown Garden district and is thus somewhat separated from the downtown Bourbon and French Quarter scene. Most of the social life (especially freshman year) is center on/right off campus on Broadway. Broadway is about a mile long strip right next to campus where all the frat houses and local bars are (The Boot and the Palms). Most nights, especially Tuesdays, Thursdays, and the weekend, you will find that the boot and palms are packed as well as other frat parties going on. A street off Broadway is Maple where some other nicer bars are located as well as a strip of restaurants; Maple has an overall “college town” feel to it. In terms of going downtown/to the Quarter: The best way I can explain it is that within the first few weeks of school you and some friends are going to get together and go down to Bourbon. You will have a crazy time and have some good stories. A few weeks later you will get together with some friends and go down to Bourbon again. You will again have a fairly good time. However, after returning to Bourbon a few more times you will realize that Bourbon is mainly comprised of adults trying to act like they’re in their 20s again (no offense to all you CC parents!). As the school year progresses you will discover some cooler areas of the French Quarter such as the Bywater, the Marigny, and go to some clubs/concerts every once in a while downtown. </p>
<p>Although Tulane freshman rush second semester, this does not take away from the “social factor” the first semester. If anything the first semester gives you a better opportunity to get to know each fraternity. </p>
<p>The dorms at Tulane are definitely a starting point for getting to know each other. People here are usually very social in the dorms. Many of the first people you meet will be people on your floor. But as time goes on you will become friends with people from all the other dorms. Most floors have a central common room where people hang out at all hours and watch tv/ do some work. Don’t be hesitant to introduce yourself to everyone a million times (then forget every name within 5 minutes). </p>
<p>Hope that answered your questions and if you have any others feel free to ask!
-TF</p>
<p>how intense is the studying then?</p>
<p>jkeil - It ebbs and flows as the semester progresses, generally getting more intense as midterms approach, then intensifying again as finals get close. But to be clear, just because there are parties most nights, as there are at all schools, doesn’t mean the same students are participating every night. There are some hard partiers, to be sure, and some party themselves right out of school. But that is much rarer at Tulane than it used to be some decades ago.</p>
<p>14wilsc12 - As TF says, dorms are definitely a big part of your social network, especially early on. I would also emphasize the part about school based clubs and similar activities adding to the experience, it just depends on what your own interests are. But as far as going to the French Quarter, my experience and observations are that this drops off dramatically after the first time or two, especially Bourbon Street. There are far more interesting and “sane” places in the area to go, and for special events or nights out people will go to the places TF mentions. But most of the social life is on campus and the nearby Broadway/Oak Street/Maple Street nexus. Magazine Street also offers some variety for shopping and eating. Tulane also runs shuttles to the suburban malls for that kind of shopping and access to the larger movie theaters.</p>
<p>how is the food at tulane? i’ve read some websites that say the food on campus is not the best.</p>
<p>It’s college cafeteria food. I’ve never heard anyone rave about college caf food! But there are other dining options on campus and there are plenty of diners and deli’s and restaurants nearby that accept NOLABucks and Splash card [Tulane</a> University - locations](<a href=“http://tulane.edu/universityservices/splash-card/locations.cfm]Tulane”>http://tulane.edu/universityservices/splash-card/locations.cfm)</p>
<p>There are more not listed on that. I know we were at Mellow Mushroom and they accepted it…</p>
<p>My kid does not dig the TU food or the Bruff Commons. Most often eats at the LBC food court or the cafeteria over at Loyola (which is included in the meal plans).</p>
<p>Supposedly a brand new dining hall will replace Bruff in Fall 2015.</p>
<p>I thought I heard that about Bruff but then I thought I imagined it.</p>
<p>How do New Orleans food & entertainment costs compare to other cities’, let’s say right around the campus?</p>
<p>It depends on where you eat. There are everything from pizza places, food trucks and diners to gourmet restaurants to everything in between.</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>thanks, dolphnlvr6. are the food trucks, pizza joints, diners, and chain restaurants in general cheaper than they are in other cities you’ve been to? One of the things I’ve heard said about New Orleans is that it’s a less expensive city than, say, Chicago or NYC or LA and is therefore more livable. Have you found this to be true? if so, how much cheaper? I’m trying to create D’s food and entertainment budget, having been to NOLA only on business and never far from the hotels.</p>
<p>jkeil911 - I am from the northeast and the cost of living in New Orleans is definitely cheaper. As I mentioned in a different thread, I was mainly deciding between Tulane the the University of Miami. One reason I did not choose to attend Miami is because ive been told that much of the social life is centered around clubs (thus spending a lot of money on covers, drinks, etc). Obviously there are expensive clubs and restaurants in New Orleans, but trips to expensive restaurants are usually reserved for times when parents visit. </p>
<p>In terms of actual numbers regarding food and a budget - most meals are at Bruff, the LBC, and Luff. Bruff and Luff (Loyola’s dining hall) are covered under meal plan swipes. One thing I can personally suggest is not getting unlimited meal plan swipes. I have unlimited swipes but I rarely go to Bruff 3 times a day. A lot of people don’t eat breakfast or keep a box of breakfast bars in their room. LBC meals, depending what you get, usually come out to about $8-10. Things like off campus food (pizza, sandwhiches, delivery) is also relatively cheaper compared to the northeast (but marginally). One thing I have found especially with delivery is that the prices are somewhat cheaper than NY/LA and the portions are huge (as with a lot of food in New Orleans). Lastly, drinks here are significantly cheaper compared to other cities (assuming you are 21, of course!) The local bars have 50 cent nights and a ton of happy hours.</p>
<p>-Hope that was useful
TF</p>
<p>@collegebound808 - I’m interested knowing why you are transferring, if you are ok with sharing!</p>
<p>I’m interested in knowing why you went to Tulane. Looking through your previous posts, I don’t see Tulane mentioned as one of your picks?</p>
<p>50 cent nights!? Paleolithic! Thanks, TF, just what I needed.</p>
<p>Now can anyone tell me about housing at TU? I’ve heard of a bed crunch because of “over-enrollment” the past couple years. What is the housing situation? What are the dorms like? Do upperclassmen move off-campus? Thanks.</p>
<p>There is no housing crunch for freshmen or sophomores. They are required to live on campus, and housing is always there for them. It will be even better starting in the Fall because the new Zimple House <a href=“http://tulane.edu/cpreg/rescol3.cfm[/url]”>http://tulane.edu/cpreg/rescol3.cfm</a> will be open. There are descriptions of all the dorms here [Tulane</a> University - Residence Halls](<a href=“http://tulane.edu/studentaffairs/housing/under/residence-halls.cfm]Tulane”>http://tulane.edu/studentaffairs/housing/under/residence-halls.cfm) with Butler, Monroe, Sharp, Josephine Louise (JL), Wall and Paterson being open to freshmen. All are coed except JL which is female only.</p>
<p>Many upperclassmen live off campus, and there are many houses for rent in the area which is highly residential. Many stay on campus, and as Tulane continues to build more dorms that will become easier. In general, the freshmen dorms are the oldest. Only Wall has the suite style for freshmen.</p>
<p>Dorms here are fairly average. The freshman dorms are the typical square rooms with communal bathrooms. Just to give you some more info, (copying from a previous thread about the “nicest” dorms): In terms of “nicest” it depends what you are looking for. I have not been in all of the dorms but the nicest I have been in is JL (all girls dorm). However, I have also heard that Wall is extremely nice but I believe you have to write an essay and apply separately. The most social dorms are Sharp and Monroe. Also, it is often a misconception that Butler is not a social dorm. Although it is the honors dorm, a lot of people were placed there that chose Monroe/Sharp as their top choices.</p>
<p>Monroe and Sharp are extremely similar in the type of people that live there. (I currently live in Monroe). Both dorms are very social, comprised of outgoing people, and often loud. This is not to say that if you live in another dorm the people will not be friendly and social. The only difference I can think of in Monroe is if you are lucky and get a higher floor you have a good view of the city on one side. A pro to sharp is that the dorm has a much nicer lobby with couches and a pool table. A con to Monroe is that some floors do not have central common rooms whereas all Sharp floors have common rooms. I am on a Monroe floor without a common room and it definitely limits your ability to meet other people on the floor.</p>
<p>No matter what dorm you end up in you will make a good group of friends and end up hanging out with people from all different dorms. People that did not get placed in their desired dorm were understandably upset at first. But everyone I know is completely happy and content with their current living situations.</p>