<p>My son is deadlocked in his decision. He has similar scholarships to Tulane and University of Rochester. He lives a 3 hour amtrak ride from Rochester. Tulane would require two flights. My husband and I would like him to be close to home for selfish reasons but at the same time we think he would have a more unique college experience going far from home. Any help would be greatly appreciated. He is undecided in his major but thinks he might like to take a premed track.</p>
<p>Congratulations to you and your son on his acceptances. They are very good schools and have strengths in the sciences. Research opps abound at both. Either one would be able to offer him other opportunities should he decide that pre-med is not for him, so his choices are good in this respect, too. Both schools will have a lot of students from New York area. But there are some important differences. Distance you mentioned. Weather is another. Will he miss winter? Will he miss wearing flip-flops and shorts? They’re both in cities but New Orleans is a jewel and Rochester is not. The food in New Orleans is a carnivore’s dream; the food in Rochester is…grinders. Rochester has that guaranteed fifth year; Tulane does not. </p>
<p>Thank you. My family and I really enjoyed your response.</p>
<p>While Tulane doesn’t quite have the academic prestige of U rochester in certain respects, that doesn’t really matter for pre-med. All of the Tulane alumni (and current students) who I’ve talked to has been absolutely exuberant about their experience there. I couldn’t say the same about U rochester.</p>
<p>Tulane -is- a very, very unique sort of college experience, because of the fact that it’s in New Orleans. Has your son personally visited the campus? If he has, and he really wants to go there, I wouldn’t hesitate to send him off if you really believe he has the maturity to live so far away! </p>
<p>I love both of these universities, but for entirely different reasons. I love the “Rochester Curriculum” which allows tons of flexibility in the courses which can be taken outside of the student’s major. Very nice. Rochester has a much better engineering school, if that makes a difference. Rochester students, probably, are less interested in partying and more interested in studying. However, Tulane is not exactly a party school either, even though it is in New Orleans. When students do want to party, though, no city allows any more choices than N.O.</p>
<p>New Orleans is half the reason to attend Tulane. I worked there for about a year, back way before Katrina hit. I have lived all over the U.S. and New Orleans is far and away the most interesting city in America – in my opinion. In addition, because of Katrina, the university now is much more integrated into the city and requires community service projects from its students. In a sense, the city is an extension of the campus. Anybody who wants a “unique college experience” need not look further than Tulane. Also, speaking of an extension of campus, Audubon Park is immediately across the street from Tulane. One of the nations finest public parks. Tulane is in one of New Orleans’ best neighborhoods. Very nice.</p>
<p>You probably know this, but both of these universities have medical schools. So, probably no advantage to either one on the issue of premed.</p>
<p>Wow. Thank you for all this great information and advice. I am so impressed with everyone’s generosity.</p>
<p>You have gotten some great feedback already, so I only have one question. If you went to him and said “Don’t worry about what Dad and I want, which way are you leaning?”, what do you think he would say? Because he probably knows you would like for him to be closer.</p>
<p>I guess I do have one other thing to say, but it is just an amplification of what NROTCgrad already pointed out. For many of us, having gone to school at Tulane and in New Orleans has been a true lifetime of memories and in many ways a continuing experience. In addition, and this would not be a major point for most people I suppose, I have had occasion to return to New Orleans many times for professional conferences and meetings. My colleagues are always grateful that I know the city so well and can show them more than Bourbon Street. Most people’s alma maters stick with them their whole lives, but for Tulane grads they get both the school and the city as great experiences.</p>
<p>Having gushed like that, I have to say that some students don’t take to New Orleans so well. Most do for sure, even the vast majority I would say. But there are some that just don’t get it. So hopefully he has visited and has some feeling for his own attitude about it. Because honestly it isn’t a question of academics. It really is more about everything else that goes with the college experience.</p>
<p>Thank you. I was awaiting your response. I will let you know his decision by the end of the weekend.</p>
<p>@stellabubba - Any decision yet?</p>
<p>He decided last night. Tulane is the winner. Thanks for all of your help.</p>
<p>Great choice! I would pick Tulane too! Great weather!</p>
<p>@stellabubba - Welcome to the Tulane family! Now you can look forward to 4 years of visits to a very unique city with amazing food and fun. Let’s face it, you can’t say that about Rochester. He will do great, I am sure.</p>
<p>hey, that’s great! congratulations, stellabubba.</p>