When to visit over the summer?

<p>I know that over summer vacation isn't the best time to visit colleges, but it's the only time I will be able to travel, so I'd like some insight. </p>

<p>I'm currently a high school junior and I love everything about Tulane - all I have left to do is actually visit, and get my dad on board!</p>

<p>Does anyone have any recommendations for when I should visit between May and August? Or any recommendations for fun things to do in NOLA over the summer? My dad is kind of reluctant about NOLA and Tulane right now (he wants me to go in-state for college), so for those of you who are parents, did anything in particular impress you on your first visit to the school?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

<p>We have visited Tulane many times. You go in knowing about the academic excellence but the one thing that always impressed me was the friendliness and spirit of the students. No matter when we visited students would stop to talk to us if we had questions, to give us directions and talk about how much they love Tulane. I have never seen so many students wearing their school clothing as I have at Tulane. Everyone just seems so happy to be there. When we visited our admissions counselor had previously scheduled appointments so we were sitting in the waiting room and one of the other counselors came and talked with us for a good amount of time! (Andrew by the way) He didn’t HAVE to sit and entertain us until Hannah was free but he did and we had such an amazing chat. Later that night we ran into him in the Quarter as well. </p>

<p>I would avoid graduation time in May, because hotels will be hard to come by with Tulane and Loyola having graduation ceremonies. </p>

<p>The first weekend in August is Satchmo fest, which is a really nice locals fest. What FQF used to be until the tourists discovered it! But be warned, July and August in New Orleans is like walking through soup the humidity is so bad. But that might be a good time to visit to see if you can deal with the humidity. Hotels are pretty cheap and you can pretty much get into any restaurant. June you’ll want to avoid all the Orientation sessions. </p>

<p>It can’t hurt to have Tulane on your list, apply and see what kind of scholarships you get. Don’t forget to do the “Why Tulane” question on the application and apply for all the other scholarships. Deans Honor, Paul Tulane and Community Service. </p>

<p>Awesome information dolphnlvr6! I appreciate your help.</p>

<p>The Satchmo fest sounds really interesting, just did a quick search and I think it sounds awesome. Will definitely check into visiting over that weekend. My dad and I love jazz music so it sounds like the perfect time to check out NOLA.</p>

<p>I’m really hoping for a scholarship, but I’m a little worried about some of my stats. I’m an IB student, with an unweighted 3.733 GPA (4.333 weighted). My ACT is only a 29. My extracurricular activities are stronger, and I have lots of community service (which is why I feel I have a strong shot for that particular scholarship). I’m just hoping that my GPA and test scores won’t completely take me out of the running for a Founder’s Scholarship. </p>

<p>Your GPA is fine, I think. But you need to get your ACT up for sure. Or try the SAT and see how that goes. Fortunately you have plenty of time to work on that. </p>

<p>I know that it’s really impossible to predict this because so many factors can change things, but what ACT score would be ideal? I’m currently in ACT prep courses and my last practice test gave me a 31 - do I still need to bring that up?</p>

<p>Thanks for your feedback!</p>

<p>Actually a 31 is exactly what I was thinking would at least put you in the running for some merit money. Obviously the higher the better, duh. But with your challenging course schedule, a 31 should get you in the game. </p>

<p>That’s great to hear - now I just have to hope I can pull at least a 31 on the actual ACT instead of just the practice test. I’m also signed up to take the SAT, and I tend to do better with language/linguistics, so I’m studying for that quite a bit too. Thanks for your help, fallenchemist!</p>