Rather depressing review of Tulane, clarify?

kingsquirrel
Sat, 27 Nov 2010 16:07:55 +0000

I found this review of Tulane on a website and wanted to ask to extent is it true.
The major stereotype about Tulane is that we are both a party school and a “good” school, that partying and academics manage to coexist. We are also known for extremely slutty women and high prevalence of STD’s.

Are the stereotypes accurate?

Unfortunately it seems that most of them are. There is a lot of heavy drinking, but most people seem fairly successful academically. While there are obviously exceptions, going to any traditionally Tulane bar or frat party will expose you extreme sexual callousness and depravity from both genders. Its more degrading to women, unfortunately, but guys are just as responsible, if not more so. I have heard it said that statistically we are the school with the 3rd highest rate of STD’s in the whole country, but that’s only hearsay.

The Big Picture

I find it impossible to separate my time at Tulane from the Hurricane. The school has changed so much since my freshman year. During my sophomore and junior years it hit an absolute low, but in all fairness i have to say it might be beginning to come out of it. The past few years led to the development on campus of a feeling my roommate and I have called “the Madness,” which is a elusive combination of apathy, depression, and anti-social feeling following the Hurricane. I’m sure a lot of people got through it with alcohol, drugs, and partying, and will say they enjoyed themselves, but deep down I think everyone feels it. There has been a sinister edge to the partying that was not there before the Hurricane. The administration at Tulane is horrible. Scott Cowen’s “Renewal Plan” for the university basically consisted of an organized sack of every academic program to divert resources to the Business and Medical Schools. The Engineering program was canceled outright, and most other programs are severely depleted. Finding recommendations for jobs and graduate school has been a challenge as my professors rarely stay at the school for longer than a semester. Many of us on campus feel abandoned by the school, but perhaps this is one of those things that is improving as well.

Tulane University Academic Life

Academics at Tulane are haphazard, and require a lot of personal initiative. Students rarely study, and its possible to get an A in a course while learning nothing of the material in many cases. However, there is a lot there if you put the effort in. Course offerings are similarly random, and it can take a lot of searching to find major requirements in some departments. The political science department is especially subject to these constraints. There are few professors and fewer course offerings, and most courses are taught one semester and don’t reappear. Departmental support for research and career opportunities is not really there. My academic advisor rarely has anything useful to say, and basically serves as a rubber stamp for my own ideas, which can be a problem when i’m unsure of things. The education is there if you’re willing to dig for it, but on the whole it seems far more difficult than it should be. In terms of reputation, resources, and departmental support, it all went the Medical and Business programs. If you don’t want to be a doctor, lawyer, or MBA, there really is no academic reason to attend this school.

Tulane University’s Student Body

Tulane is known for being geographically diverse. While there are far fewer local (New Orleans or Louisiana) students than you’d expect, a disproportionate amount come from the Northeast, particularly New York and Connecticut (myself included). Socio-economic status is rather high for the most part, though you will find normal people here and there, especially because Tulane is so big on financial aid. Most Tulane students seem very apathetic when it comes to political or societal issues, except for the Jewish community, which is very strong and very active. Also I have always found a real problem with gender relations on campus. The exploitative “Girls Gone Wild” culture is really pushed on a lot of people, whether they like it or not. People I’ve known who have tried to get involved with feminism groups or date-rape awareness campaigns have been openly ridiculed and ostracized by a large portion of the student body.

Tulane University Student Activities & Social Life

I’ve always found the social life at Tulane to be a missed opportunity. There is a lot of apathy regarding student groups and activities. The party culture really muscles other avenues out. A lot of people will tailgate at sporting events and then not go to the actual game. The same goes for New Orleans. There are truly incredible opportunities to explore the culture of this city that few people take advantage of. The dating scene is pretty awful as well, drunken awkward hookups being the norm. A lot of people either jump into this culture, or give up on the opposite sex quickly and avoid dating altogether. I find people keep their guard up to the degree where its almost impossible to meet and get to know someone you really care about. There are a lot of interesting and wonderful people at this school, but they seem to get beaten down or silenced by a destructive culture most of the time. You have to find people on your own, and create your own alternatives.

The Naked Truth

A lot of my responses to this survey seem negative, and I do this in the effort to be honest about the severe problems, social, administrative and academic at this school. That said, I have had a wonderful time here, and have gotten a great education. Tulane is essentially the Jungle. If you come here, you will have no support, no safety net, and this place can tear you to pieces if you’re not careful. However, if you keep you’re head on straight, you will find friends and be closer to them because of the challenges you face. If you dig for it, you can get a great education too. Personal responsibility is the key at Tulane, far more so than at other schools I’ve heard about. Survival of the Fittest. Good Luck.