<p>My husband teaches at a small LAC and my son grew up around the LAC ethos. Lots of interaction with faculty and students, students to dinner, going to student productions, weddings, etc., etc. Both of our boys decided early on that they did not want that kind of experience. They wanted to on their own in the big cruel world. Tulane had much to recommend it, including the city of New Orleans, but our one concern was the push that Tulane made about campus “togetherness”. </p>
<p>When we would do college visits every time some Admissions Director would say " You really get to know your professors! They will invite you to dinner!" my son would mutter under his breath “And their kids will hate you.” This did not just happen at Tulane. Both of my kids are very independent and want to figure out the world on thier own terms. It can be a good thing, but it can also be frustrating to watch them struggle.</p>
<p>P.S. I don’t worry a lot about my son drinking. He is the world’s biggest cheapskate and I knew that when he found out how much a beer costs that would quickly kill any urge to be a partier.</p>