Tulane vs. American vs. Syracuse?

Hey all! I am trying to make my final decision between Tulane, Syracuse, and American. Here’s what they look like for me:

-Tulane: Accepted w/ a 10k scholarship and would major in either public health or neuroscience
-American: Accepted w/ no merit into international studies but may switch to public health
-Syracuse: Accepted w/ no merit into biology.

Tulane and American are a flight away, but I think that’ll be no big deal. Money is also not really in the question, though the scholarship at Tulane is definitely a huge perk. After college, I really want to work internationally and help people get access to medicine and healthcare or at least to help raise awareness, but I’m not sure how this will work as a career. Ideally, with an organization like the WHO or nonprofits. Right now I’m gravitating to trying to do a public health degree with a double major in neuro or bio. A piece of me is also interested in potentially pursuing law someday, but right now I am more interested in science and medicine. Socially, I am pretty much an ambivert. I like to stay in with Netflix, but I’m also happy to go out and party some nights and I’m looking forward to nights of both in college but not too much of either. I probably won’t be joining Greek life, but I am open to the idea if I get on campus and it surprises me. I love school spirit and sports culture and want to be in a place that the people around me are really excited to be. I plan on pursuing grad school, but I have no clue in which direction I’ll go. Politically I am liberal, but I want to be in a place that is diverse and exposing me to new ideas and perspectives. I also really want to study abroad while I’m in college. I love all these schools, but I just can’t seem to choose.

Any input or ideas of things I should consider at all would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!

@collegedream412 I am knowledgeable about Tulane and Syracuse but not American so I won’t comment on the latter school. Full disclosure my daughter seriously considered both Syracuse and Tulane and chose Tulane. I think Tulane is the most selective and prestigious of these schools. Given your scholarship at Tulane and the fact that it’s strengths are in the sciences and in public health (Tulane has a great neuroscience department, the Tulane Brain Institute and the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine—even though it’s downtown) lead me to suggest Tulane. Because you say you are interested in science and medicine and interested in public health and possibly working for the WHO .Checkout
https://sph.tulane.edu/bsph/undergraduate-public-health
Tulane also has a medical school whereas Syracuse does not. Syracuse’s strengths are in communications (the Newhouse school), Maxwell school of Citizenship and Public Affairs. And it’s business school (Whitman). It is not as well known for the sciences. IMO both Tulane and Syracuse are roughly equally with regard to diversity. And Tulane is more liberal. And IMO the fun-filled year round festivals, including Mardi Gras and Jazz fest, and all the things to do in the city of New Orleans, plus the warmer weather, makes me prefer that city to Syracuse.

Tulane for public health is a must! They have a top notch program. You can also double major in bio if you want. Many kids double major. I don’t see the other schools in a contest. Good luck

@collegedream412 congrats on your excellent choices!

My S is at Syracuse. I know a former senior administrator at Tulane. I used to live within walking distance of American, although I can’t say much about it other than the people seemed nice and DC is a wonderful place to be go to college. The internship opportunities in your fields of interest should be plentiful in DC.

Tulane developed a very strong community service ethic/program under President Cowen after Katrina. It sounds like this aspect may appeal to you.

Syracuse is very high on school spirit and the passion for sports is very strong. You should go to the admitted students own the dome event. You will learn a lot about Syracuse and it’s potential fit.

You have excellent choices, and you will probably be happy and successful at any of them. Good luck!

American is one of those I know best and as you have champions for the others, I’ll add in some pros for it. American for your career goals and exposure to internships during the school year would be excellent. (WHO is headquartered in DC, as are other relevant organizations, and at American you’ll be able to, if you want, intern throughout the school year rather than just wait for summer. So exposure all along or even the chance to try different types of organizations will be much better than the other two. DC is also just a wonderful city to study in, very vibrant. On the other hand, the traditional idea of “school spirit” and sports culture is noticeably lacking. I don’t know to be honest about the specific strength of public health at AU but of course it’s one of the top colleges for international studies - and it was a particularly tough admit this year, so congratulations by the way!

My cousin’s daughter is at Syracuse at the moment. She loves the school and says the school spirit is amazing, on the other hand she says the town of Syracuse itself is dead boring and the winters are really horrible. (She’s from SoCal though.)

If it’s possible, I think you should go to admitted student events for all of them.

Tulane!

American is a great school, but I was disappointed with my niece’s career advising .

And Syracuse is, well, in Syracuse. Less “grass” space then the other 2 and much colder winters.

Tulane and American both are in cities that are an education themselves to live in.