Is Tulane the right decision?

fallenchemist
Mon, 02 Mar 2015 02:27:17 +0000

@Dorina333‌

These are always very tough decisions. I know, that isn’t very helpful, but just to let you know a lot of people agonize over similar considerations every year. I do think the Tulane architecture program is fantastic, especially the way they are so involved in New Orleans itself. One thing I will mention right off is that you will never take the train back and forth unless you want to for personal reasons. It isn’t much cheaper (if at all) and takes forever. But there are tons of students from the Northeast that go to Tulane, about 1/3 of each incoming class. So it is quite likely that you will be flying with classmates and new friends, and in fact most students I know end up coordinating their flights with these new friends so they can be together for fun and for sharing the taxi fare to and from the airport. So other than the expense, at least the length of the trip is less of a factor.

Speaking of expense, I think it is hard to make a decision until you actually see what Tulane is willing to do as far as financial aid. You might be pleasantly surprised, or you might not be, but until you see it, assessing the complete picture is not possible. I will mention, though, that the total cost of attending is more like $64,000 per year. No sense sugar coating it, because tuition is not the only expense. I know you know that, but let’s get the real number out there.

Also, when you are doing the money calculations after you see Tulane’s package, keep in mind that with Tulane you will have that accredited degree in 5 years. With these other programs you will have to take 2 more years to get that same accreditation, or 6 years in total. So you will have to estimate what years 5 and 6 will cost you someplace else, since most master’s programs don’t give scholarships. Master’s programs are considered cash cows for universities.

It sounds like you have not been to Tulane for a visit, is that right? If true, I definitely recommend getting there for Destination Tulane and spending a day or two, and especially arrange to talk to people in the architecture program and sit in on a couple of beginning architecture classes. For such an important decision with so much money at stake, spending a few hundred dollars on such a trip is a wise investment. You really need some first-hand impressions to help round out the picture for you.