<p>The character of Tulane University is directly affected by the students’ involvement in rebuilding the city of New Orleans. Students are caring and compassionate for the most part, and participate in many community service programs throughout the year. Although academic standards are high, my freshman daughter has found that her friends are supportive and like to work together, rather than competitive and cut-throat. From sociology majors involved in tutoring in the local charter schools to architecture majors coming up with designs that will actually be built in the city, Tulane provides a unique opportunity for kids to connect with the world around them. By the way, Obama is visiting this month</p>
<p>We attended several regional receptions in the NY/ NJ area last year, including receptions for both Tulane and Miami, as well as a few other schools. Students did seem to be very well dressed, probably trying to make a good impression. When we visited both of these schools we saw mostly shorts, t shirts and flip flops. Our tour guide at Miami did have on a collared polo shirt, but she was on duty. Kids at both schools looked pretty regular. </p>
<p>My daughter has met lots of good friends. Kids at Tulane seem to be serious about academics, but more collaborative than competitive. They also seem to enjoy their free time. </p>
<p>Tulane also has a community service requirement as part of the curriculum. This may be a pro or a con depending on your inclinations.</p>
<p>Absolutely check out both schools. We hear great things about both.</p>
<p>From Princeton Review - it gets critiques sometimes because these write-ups are based on small Ns, but if you met a grad of each school at a social event and chatted with them, you’d put some faith in what they told you, and they’d each just be an N of 1:</p>
<p>Tulane Students Say…
The typical Tulane student “is serious about academics, but isn’t holed up in the library all the time.” Similar to students at other big-city schools, Tulane undergrads tend to be “self-reliant, motivated, [and] forward-looking.” They point out that the school is “one of the most geographically diverse schools in the country,” observing that “75 percent of the students come from more than 500 miles away.…In my 8-person suite, there are two girls from Boston, one from New York, one from Texas, one from Baton Rouge, one from Florida, and I’m from Chicago. It’s great!” Diversity is further represented in the “tons of very large, very active, very vocal groups on campus for every minority, including ethnicities, political beliefs, religious beliefs, and sexual orientations. Everyone here manages to find [a] niche.” A strong Jewish Studies program helps Tulane draw one of the largest Jewish student populations in the South; about 25 percent of the student body is Jewish.</p>
<p>UM Students Say…
At first glance, “it can appear that the University of Miami admits only super-thin or super-buff students looking for the perfect spot for a tan while cruising in their Mercedes down the ritzy streets of Coral Gables.” University of Miami students “all love warm weather and not wearing an excess amount of clothing” and “develop an urge to wear shades at one point or another.” However, “the students at Miami are not all about tanning and partying; [they] are a competitive bunch.” “The typical Miami student is probably from either Miami-Dade/Broward Counties or the Northeast” and is “into athletics.” Students seem to fall into three categories: “those who go to South Beach, those who just have fun and party, and those who choose to remain for the most part academic.” "While “students are not politically active,” “most students perform community service.” The student body “is very diverse,” with students from more than “90 countries,” and “international students have formed various cultural organizations that reach out to their respective cultures.” Although “it can seem that people are a little ‘clique-y’ when it comes to their culture,” University of Miami students seem “widely accepting of many cultural groups” and manage to “all live together symbiotically.”</p>
<p>These type of reviews are not helpful and in fact, I believe, harmful. They were what worried me about my D going to Miami. She has been there now for 6 weeks and does not find this description accurate. </p>
<p>Visit if you can and see for yourself.</p>
<p>SVmom, crazed,</p>
<p>Are the kids at UM down to earth type or into flashy clothes/cars? Since the school is known for its sports, does sports take over the culture of the school?</p>
<p>Neither school meets 100% of need, if that is a consideration.</p>
<p>I have good SAT scores - maybe merit aid?</p>
<p>I know Tulane gives up to $24,000 per year in merit aid, thereby cutting the cost of the education in half. I know UM gives great merit aid if you are in-state, but not sure about OOS</p>
<p>Tulane also gives other scholarships in varying amounts, including a community service scholarship. They also have the Dean’s Scholarship, for full tuition, which is a separate application.</p>
<p>Yes, I love New Orleans. I love the restaurants, food and especially the music. I also have friends who attended Tulane previously and loved it.</p>
<p>HOWEVER,Maybe I am a bit short-sighted,but why would anyone go to Tulane over Miami now?</p>
<p>My reasoning is based on two issues:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Tulane has cut back a number of majors due to the Katrina disaster. Yes, they are rebuilding the school and rebuilding programs,but why would you want to be involved in a rebuilding mode? Miami currently offers a lot more majors and choices than Tulane too as a result of Tulane’s cutbacks.</p></li>
<li><p>Do you honestly think that Katrina can’t happen again? Has anyone been awake watching the news? We are in a period of global warming. Scientists are predicting even more hurricanes and stronger hurricanes. New Orleans is beneath sea level… Please reread the last sentence. The government has NOT repaired the levies enough to forestall another Katrina. Thus, why would you want to take another chance?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Bottom line: The question for me is NOT whether Tulane is or is not better than Miami,but whether anyone should go to Tulane to begin with!</p>
<p>And Miami isn’t in the path of a hurricane? My guess is a category 5 would have a not insignificant effect on the remaining year at any of these two schools.</p>
<p>Miami NEVER in its history has been totally destroyed by Hurricanes. They might get a tornado spawning,but hurricanes haven’t done a lot of damage. Don’t forget, University of Miami isn’t near any beaches.</p>
<p>Hurricane Andrew did a huge amount of damage to the metropolitan Miami area. </p>
<p>One of the greatest things about Tulane and its students is their committment to Community Service. I think this sets it apart form many other schools of similar calibre, and probably why there are more “down to earth” kids there.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>IMO, Scott Cowen has done a tremendous job rebuilding not only the Uni, but NO’s reputation as well. Shalala is another one of my favorite Prez’s, but she blew it big time when she let the thugs run wild on the football field – extremely unclassy.</p>
<p>JVM626, yes Hurricane Andrews did do a lot of damage to Homestead, Florida. However, most damage was due to tornadoes. University of Miami did not have a lot of damage from Andrews.</p>
<p>As for Miami’s football, yes, they did have some thugs. However, frankly, a lot of football teams have that “thug” mentality. I attended Ohio State in the 80s when they had some really top notch players. I can tell you that these guys were far from saints.</p>
<p>Anyone that worried about weather issues would likely have concerns about NOLA and FL. Heck, my other s was in Houston , and they had more than their fair share of storm problems.</p>
<p>Hurricane Andrew did severe damage to south FL. Who cares if it was the direct path of the hurricane or secondary tornadoes that spun off?? The damage to the S FL. region, including to entire subdivisions in Miami, was catastrophic. And likewise, while NOLA had horrible damage, Tulane’s damage was minimal. The closing for one semester was due moreso to the inability to staff the University because of the effects of the storm on the staff housing, schools, infrastructure etc-- not to the direct campus damage, which was minimal. Not sure why you are nitpicking or minimizing comprable issues in Miami. I agree with your earlier comment- you are being short-sighted, you are correct.</p>
<p>Sometimes there is a great benefit to participating in a rebuilding, and to make a difference. Besides, its been 4 years . Lots of rebuilding, especially within Tulane’s academic ranks, has already occurred. There had been some disagreement within the school about the initiation of the Newcomb-Tulane college freshman year program, but it has worked out. Change can be good.</p>
<p>I totally agree with bluebayou. Both Cowan and Shalala have been excellent University presidents.</p>
<p>This list of the top 29 US cities hit by hurricanes and tropical storms (1871-2004) Keep in mind that New Orleans was not hit by the hurricane in 2005. It still isn’t on the list. The 2009 updated version (which includes 155 cities found across the US, Carribean, and Mexico) does not have New Orleans in the Top 50 while Miami is number 21.</p>
<p>1)Cape Hatteras, NC (eastern - barrier islands)
Hit every 2.53 years. Last hit by Alex in 2004.
2)Delray Beach, FL (southeastern)
Hit every 2.36 years; located between Palm Beach and Miami. Last hit by Frances and Jeanne in 2004.
3)Grand Isle, LA (southern - barrier islands)
Hit every 2.68 years; the most affected area in Louisiana, it is about 50 miles south of New Orleans (as the crow flies). Affected by Tropical Storm Matthew in 2004.
4)Ft Pierce, FL (eastern)
Hit every 2.68 years. Last hit by Frances and Jeanne in 2004.
5)Hollywood, FL (southeastern)
Hit every 2.68 years.
6)Deerfield Beach, FL (southeastern)
Hit every 2.68 years. Touched by Frances in 2004.
7)Boca Raton, FL (southeastern)
Hit every 2.68 years. Touched by both Frances and Jeanne in 2004.
8)Florida City, FL (southern)
Hit every 2.73 years. Most direct hurricane hits (21).
9)Spring Hill, FL (Gulf)
Hit every 2.73 years.
10)Stuart, FL (eastern)
Hit every 2.79 years. Last hit by Frances and Jeanne in 2004.
11)Miami, FL (southeastern)
Hit every 2.79 years.
12)Key West, FL (southern - barrier islands)
Hit every 2.85 years. Number two on direct hurricane hits (20).
13)Palm Beach, FL (southeastern)
Hit every 2.85 years. Last hit by Frances and Jeanne in 2004.
14)Lake Worth, FL (southeastern
Hit every 2.85 years. Last hit by Frances and Jeanne in 2004.
15)Ft. Lauderdale, FL (southeastern)
Hit every 2.85 years. Last hit by Frances and Jeanne in 2004.
16)Elizabeth City, NC (northeastern)
Hit every 2.85 years. Last hit by Charley in 2004.
17)Jupiter, FL (southeastern)
Hit every 2.91 years. Last hit by Frances and Jeanne in 2004.
18)Morgan City, LA (southwestern)
Hit every 2.85 years. Last affected by Tropical Storm Matthew in 2004.
19)Ft. Walton, FL (panhandle)
Hit every 3.05 years. Last hit by Ivan in 2004.
20)Pensacola, FL (panhandle)
Hit every 3.05 years. Last hit by Ivan in 2004.
21)Key Largo, FL (southern - barrier islands)
Hit every 3.05 years.
22)Jacksonville, FL (northeastern)
Hit every 3.05 years.
23)Port Charlotte, FL (southwestern)
Hit every 3.12 years. Last hit by Charley in 2004.
24)Fort Myers, FL
Hit every 3.12 years. Last hit by Charley in 2004.
25)Destin, FL (panhandle)
Hit every 3.12 years. Last hit by Ivan in 2004.
26)Cedar Key, FL (north Gulf)
Hit every 3.12 years. Last hit by Frances and Jeanne in 2004.
27)Norfolk, VA (southeastern)
Hit every 3.12 years. Last hit by Charley (as a tropical storm) in 2004.
28)Naples, FL (southwestern)
Hit every 3.19 years. Last brushed by Charley in 2004.
29)Morehead City, NC (eastern)
Hit every 3.27 years. Last hit by Alex Charley in 2004.</p>
<p>For New Orleans stats: Years within 60 miles
1879,1879ts,1887,1888br,1897br,1892ts,1893,1900tsbr,1901,1905ts,1907ts,1909
1914bdts,1915,1916br,1932ts,1934tsbr,1936ts,1944tsbr,1947,1948,1949ts
1955ts,1964bdts,1965,1969br,1979,1985br,1988ts,1992br,1998ts,2002- 2 ts,2004tsbr,2005ts,2005,2008br
37 times in 138yrs end of 2008</p>
<p>So it’s safe to say New Orleans has Hurricanes come close fairly often but they almost never hit the city, and certainly not often compared to cities like those in Florida.</p>
<p>i think worrying about Hurricanes too much at schools like Rice, Tulane, and UMiami is like worrying about earthquakes at USC. You stay prepared, have a plan, and pray for no problems. Ultimately if God wants to kill you, he’ll find you. :)</p>
<p>What jym is forgetting to mention is that Tulane has a very well organized evacuation system and will have the kids out of town and in a safe area before the airport closes. After the Katrina hit, Tulane was back up and operating after missing only one semester.</p>
<p>It always surprises me that people worry about the hurricanes in NOLA so much, when there are many disasters in other areas - other hurricane areas, major snow storms, fires in California, etc.</p>
<p>"whether anyone should go to Tulane to begin with! "</p>
<hr>
<p>There is always some ■■■■■ who comes on these boards who can offer nothing but the inane quote above. The vote is this ■■■■■: 1 vs. Tulane applicants: 40,000, as to whether to go to Tulane to begin with.</p>