Two burning questions about Tulane

Colleges and Universities A-Z Tulane University
1

<p>I just really need to visit this school but in the meantime, could someone familiar with Tulane talk about LGBT culture at Tulane?</p>

<p>I don't need a school that has a huge gay population. I just want a place where gays can, for the most part, fit into mainstream culture on campus and have a normal social life. From what I've read, it's pretty easy for a gay person to be a normal student on campus and it doesn't sound like your sexual orientation automatically makes you an outcast. I'm just interested in hearing a more personalized perspective that doesn't come from the Princeton Review or any of the other college books that say the same thing.</p>

<p>Another area of concern I have with Tulane is the partying. I'm not a huge a partier at all. Don't drink, no weed, and I'm pretty content with the way I am. At the same time, I'm a very laid back guy and some of my best freinds are huge partiers and I never judge them for it as long as they don't pressure me into drinking, smoking, etc.</p>

<p>In other words, I'm totally open to going to a school full of drinking as long there is no pressure to drink and as long as there will be other people like me. Is drinking the primary social activity on campus? If it is, </p>

<p>I'm trying to LOVE Tulane because I got into their honors program and received a scholarship that makes it an average of half the cost of the other schools I'm applying to. Still, I want to make sure it's the right fit before I get too excited.</p>

2

<p>First, congratulations on the scholarship and Honors! I hope you get a chance to attend the Honors Weekend there which will give you a chance to really get a feel for the school and its culture.</p>

<p>Also, there have been several other threads written on the environment at Tulane in terms of gays and acceptance of alternative lifestyles, as well as the partying aspect. I'd suggest you do searches for these to help get you more information...I know I posted about my own son's observations on this subject. He's straight, but has several gay friends, including his 1st year roommate. Tulane seems to reflect some of the openness of the city itself in terms of acceptance of just about anyone, no matter their orientation.</p>

3

<p>Jeremybeach, a current Tulane student, has said that the school's social scene isn't that gay friendly...which I find very interesting because it goes against everything the schools portrays itself as.</p>

<p>He's also posted that the social scene revolves around drinking and hookups; i'd suggest that the OP PM's Jeremybeach for more specific info.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

4

<p>Hi Tulsadem,
My son got into Tulane, but he hasn't heard about scholarships yet - when did you? Good luck to you in making your decision!</p>

5

<p>njarchitect,
i submitted everything around October 20th, found out online about three weeks ago, and got my letter with the scholarship information two weeks ago today. </p>

<p>sorry about the delayed response. hope everything works out for you and your family!</p>

6

<p>Tulsadem:
Good news on the drinking front that you're in the Honors program. I live in the Honors dorm (Butler) as an upperclassman this year and at least half of the Honors freshmen don't drink. The other half go crazy. But the half that don't seem to be really close and just hang out on weekend nights playing video games, watching movies, playing pool, etc.</p>

7

<p>tulsadem, congratulations on getting into Tulane! I'm a student at Tulane and I'm in the same boat as you. I don't drink, smoke or party at all. I've found that although lots of kids drink no one has a problem with my decision not to. I've never been pressured to drink or do anything I'm not comfortable with and although some of my friends drink they've always been appreciative of my views. I like in Monroe and I've found it to be pretty quiet at night; people get drunk but they are respectful. </p>

<p>That being said, there is a lot of alcohol consumption at Tulane. Many kids go out drinking routinely. In talking with my friends at other schools I haven't found that Tulane is too much more drinking intense than other schools; it never shows up on the Princeton Reviews list of party schools. Alcohol certainly is more acessable here and some crazy stuff does happen routinely but if you don't want it, you don't have to see it. As for the random hookups, well I think that's college. The honors dorm or Wall R.C is your best bet for finding kids with the same thoughts as you. </p>

<p>All in all drinking is a large part of Tulane life but I've never felt any pressure to join in and there's all sorts of things to do in New Orleans besides drinking. I honestly and truly love Tulane and coming here was one of the best decisions I've ever made. However, if you feel it isn't for you listen to your gut. Go where you feel comfortable. Good luck.</p>

8

<p>" Jeremybeach, a current Tulane student, has said that the school's social scene isn't that gay friendly...which I find very interesting because it goes against everything the schools portrays itself as."</p>

<p>What on earth does that mean???</p>

<p>To answer your questions, about the gay scene, I highly recommend you look at the "gays@tulane" thread on this board. I wrote a lot of specifics about gay life at tulane. </p>

<p>But don't underestimate the importance / value of being at a school with a large gay population. And I'm not just talking about tappin' that. (lol). It's fun and supportive to be able to surround yourself with a lot of other queer people, as well as straight open-minded people. </p>

<p>As for partying, Tulane is a party school. There's no two ways about it. When I was there, in 2005, drinking was the #1 social activity. What I always said about it is that at Tulane, you either drink, or like to be around drunk people. There's no pressure to drink at all, but you will be surroudned by a lot of drunk people. But by the sounds of the above posts, it sounds like things are changing a bit, which is great, so my analysis may not be 100% on tack 2 years later. But at my time in Butler, like 85% were partiers. And the people who completely didn't associate with partiers (partiers including those who went out but didn't drink) were kind of "nerds." I'm not hating on partiers, I included myself in that count. And it was fun, wicked fun. But just WAY TOO MUCH fun. There is not a very good balance. But like I said, things may have changed since 2005. Being in Butler will help, as it is less of a party dorm than Sharpe or Monroe. </p>

<p>It's perfectly possible to find yourself a completely non-drinking niche, but it will take a lot of time. If that isn't your scene I just flat out don't recommend Tulane. And you can shut yourself off from the party scene if you like as well. It's just that imho it's better to go to school that will provide the correct fit than to search for a correct fit, or as close as you can get, at another. I say don't let money dictate college choice if you can (see below). </p>

<p>Tulane is a really good school. But it's also a party school. I mean...it's in New Orleans peeps. </p>

<p>It sounds like there would be a lot of other schools out there with better gay scenes and a better balance of social life and academics that would be a better fit for you that also offer a lot of aid. Do you have need? Where else are you applying? Do PM me or IM me and we can talk more if you like.</p>

9

<p>Two more things: </p>

<p>One of the things that makes new orleans great is all the things to do that don't involve alchohol, like music, art, parks, and culture. But I just didn't feel like there was a huge (tulane) community involvement / drive to do these things overall. But you certainly can, and you certainly will find others who want to do them too. </p>

<ol>
<li>Tulane was # 2 or # 3 on the princeton review party school list a few years back. Those change dramatically every year. They are almost worthless because of it.</li>
</ol>