Villanova or Tulane?

College Search & Selection
1

I got into both. They are my safeties cuz I didn’t fare so well in the college process (dropped grades in junior year due to my mom being sick, but 4.3 and 1450) and ANYWAYS they are both about the same cost after financial aid for me, so that’s not really an issue. I like both schools and I’m visiting soon.

I’m a girl from MA and I’ve spent my last 4 years at a wealthy, liberal school. I want to major in political science and then go on to law school (anywhere I get a full ride) and work for the government. I’ve lived in New England my whole life and hate winter but I’m also not used to the extreme humidity of the south (is that something you adapt to?)

I’m outgoing and definitely love parties, but I ultimately need to be surrounded by academic people who will challenge me (but maybe with a bit of a hidden party side). I like to be able to shine, socially, and I’m all about “work hard play hard”. I’ve spent my whole life surrounded by judgemental people and would like a little more of a community. (I’m not exaggerating- my town is built on Whole Foods and yoga moms in Mercedes) I know I can’t characterize an entire population as vapid or having a superiority complex, but which one tends to be more friendly and academic?

I am gonna party, of course, but I’m also gonna be spending many nights in studying and would like to be able to easily find friends who would do the same.

I like beautiful campuses (obviously) school spirit, sports, fun college city/town (New Orleans wins here, I know), academic environments, and friendly communities. My TOP PRIORITY is getting a 4.0. I know this isn’t gonna happen, but which school has a better grading policy/an easier academic track? I don’t want the “easier way out”, I just wanna have good grades for law school, and feel terrible for my brother at Boston University who works 4x longer for a half as good grade as he used to get at Umass Amherst.

So, Villanova or Tulane? If you have a particularly strong bias, please tell me WHY.

Things I care about:
-having decent sports
-EASY grading policy
-friendly, diverse, open community
-spirit
-fun activities in the surrounding area
-prestige nationwide (I know nova has a better name up north and tulane has a better name in the south, but overall??)
-rigidity of activities (what will I not be allowed to do?)
-ability to transfer (I’m considering it)

Things that don’t matter as much:
-cost (like I said, they will be the same for me, relatively cheap with scholarships, transportation and all)
-which sports team is better (I really don’t care as long as they HAVE sports)
-local jobs/opportunities post-undergrad (I’m going back up north for law school right after undergrad where I’m already well-connected, thanks family)
-partying (I can have fun with anyone doing anything, and both schools are fun anyways)
-attractiveness of students

2

Hi! I also looked at both Villanova and Tulane, and am hopefully going to Nova. I’m not sure if you visited or not, but the school spirit at Villanova was really amazing. Everyone (not just the ambassadors or whatever) was super proud of their school and seemed very welcoming. My guess is that Tulane is more diverse, but it also sounded that Villanova gets more diverse every year. Hope that helps a little bit & good luck making a choice! I’m sure you’ll be happy either way :slight_smile:

3

I hope so! It’s all so stressful… Did you see Tulane as well?

4

Nova should get the nod here. They’re both fine, but since your future is in the north that should count double for Nova.

I would think there’s not much else that tips either school over the other. They’re pretty similar (fairly expensive schools with lots of wealthy folks attending, not much diversity at either one (relatively speaking) - look at stats on collegedata). As for sports, the Tulane homies will stay their sports are great, but they are no competition with big-time D1 schools - Nova’s bball speaks for itself - don’t know about it’s other sports. Nova probably gets the nod with sports.

Tulane does have a lot of partiers. School has a segment of very studious kids and a segment of very ‘party-minded’ kids. You may find it hard straddling both groups if that is your hope. I’m sure Nova probably has its share of partiers too, so this may not be a distinctive for Tulane.