Homecoming- Shelby Strattan

This isn’t the one on the football schedule. And surely not one you need a new fancy dress for, nor high heels with an accompanying boutonniere (and good thing seeing I never really did figure out how to pin one of those on correctly). This is the homecoming of a student to college, and in my case and many others, the return to Tulane University in the city of New Orleans. As the days of summer slowly dwindled until mid-August, my excitement to return to such a unique place became nearly unbearable. I went through pictures from freshman year to print out and hang in streams of colorful memories along my new dorm room walls. When I started the process I imagined it would be fun, but it soon proved to be torturous as I could only picture myself in these vibrant Nola scenes with my close friends from all over the country. Deep breath- the time will come soon enough to return.

I couldn't wait to return to Tulane to start my sophomore year.

 Now this is not to say that I didn't enjoy summer. Summer is always a wonderful season and I was fortunate to spend mine back home with my family in Nebraska. However, the first few weeks were a bit rough as I had to have my tonsils and adenoids removed. After a long but smooth recovery, I went on to intern full-time for a local insurance company in the actuarial department. My coworkers took great interest in my life at Tulane. They asked about the school, the food (as they came to know what a huge foodie I am), the festivals, and Mardi Gras. I did as best as I could to detail everything accurately so they could build elaborate mental pictures in order to properly envision the life of a Tulane student. I would tell them stories about my friends and our adventures and they would just smile, telling me to treasure my time as a student while I could. But no one had to tell me that - I was totally stoked to get back and take it all in again! But deep breath - the time will come soon enough to return.

My coworkers heard plenty about my friends and Boot pizza.

Aside from work, I spent a large amount of time with my fantastic family. These summer months were also full of many new memories made with old close high school friends. There was one night in which I ventured to a free outdoor concert where a New Orleans jazz band filled the stage with the sweet sounds of my second home and imbibed the crowd with a taste of the Big Easy. In the middle of their performance they stopped to share a few words with the audience. “‘Y’ALL EVER BEEN DOWN TO NEW ORLEANS?” the performers shouted to the enthusiastic Midwest crowd. They didn't stop there. The musicians delineated the sights, smells, tastes and traditions of their hometown for those who had never been. My heart was tearing as I began to feel a type of separation anxiety that could only be satiated with two plane rides. How my soul longed to return to its quagmire romance with a city so far from my first home, so different than what I’d grown up with my whole life. My skin missed the humid air often accompanied by heavy rains that brought about the promise of a cool night (and perhaps a canceled class? Rare, but possible). My ears could almost hear the streetcar passing by the front of our campus - the doors of Gibson serving as a welcoming sight to all tourists and locals that pass by on a means of public transportation that is equally as convenient as it is sporadically unreliable. In my mind I envisioned the streetcar rolling on by, clearing the way to the splendid and well known Audubon Park right across Saint Charles Avenue. My eyes wished to see the alluvial grounds that fostered such lush vegetation, sparkling a brilliant green under the hot summer sun, almost as if glitter fairies were dancing above with the Voodoo spirits protecting the city. This place is magical and my mind was cluttered with thoughts of returning to a city that makes me feel so alive. Deep breath - the time will come soon enough to return.

The end of summer rolled around and I realized I was terribly behind in regards to the whole packing thing. Thankfully I never unpacked all my belongings in the first place as I was initially in a state of denial that NOLA would not be a part of my life in the months of summer. I was a flustered mess my last day in Nebraska, trying to get things ready that should have been done about a week prior. The easy going, laid back style of New Orleans really settled deep into my bones just after a year of living there. However it miraculously all managed to get taken care of just in time to fly out - credit due to my wonderful mother - and surprisingly no suitcase was over-weight. #Blessed.

I was also #Blessed to work as one of the student leaders for Greenie Camp!

Alas! I had finally arrived in my favorite place in the world! The first days are always filled with joyous reunions and familiar smiles. Parents of the freshman meander around campus wishing they could relive their college experiences at such a lovely institution. With the influx of new students and returning classmates, each day of first semester proves to be a new adventure. From morning spin classes, to meals on Magazine Street, to gallivanting in the streets of the Quarter with your best friends eating beignets, everyone jumps back into a NOLA schedule mixed with work and play. For those who are new at Tulane, enjoy the many firsts, for there is not another place in the world like this that you could choose to go to school. For all prospective students, I hope you look for qualities in a school and city that allure you oh so strongly, that you absolutely cannot bear being separated from the undeniable energy in the air. As a whole community, Tulane really makes coming back as big of a deal as it should be. And for all my fellow returning students who are well aware of this already, here’s to another magical year that we have been anxiously awaiting all summer, because the time has finally come. Laissez les bons temps rouler!

-Shelby is a sophomore studying Biomedical Engineering. She's involved in Greek life, Greenie Camp, Green Wave Ambassadors, and is one of our wonderful Admission Interns.

The Tulane Reading Project - Danny Fitzpatrick

The Tulane Reading Project

Danny Fitzpatrick

What should I pack? What clubs should I join? Have I signed up for the right classes? Why do I have to read this required reading book?

While those are all valid questions during the summer before coming to Tulane, the only one that I am going to attempt to answer is the fourth one.

For fourteen years, the Tulane Reading Project has served as a preview for what to expect in college courses. In every TIDES class this fall professors will lead discussions about this book. Throughout the first weeks and even months of the semester, the Reading Project events provide a place for academic discussion across all disciplines. It is one of the very few experiences in college where the students in the School of Architecture will be discussing exactly the same text as the students in the School of Business.

On top of that, two things make this year’s Tulane Reading Project even more exciting than usual:

Firstly, this year the committee selected Men We Reaped, by Jesmyn Ward. Not only is Jesmyn Ward a National Book Award winner and has been called a, “substantial talent” by the New York Times, she is also an Associate Professor at Tulane!

Jesmyn Ward

In the memoir, Ward writes her story of growing up while simultaneously discussing the deaths of five young men who were close to her throughout her youth.

In the book, Professor Ward discusses everything from poverty, to race, to mental health,to addiction, to gender roles, to familial love, to homesickness and does so through her singular strong voice.

Regardless of what we learn and take away from Men We Reaped individually, it is full of messages and ideas that the class of 2019 and the entire Tulane community can discuss together.

The second major reason why this is an exciting year for the Tulane  Reading Project ties to a larger effort on campus. The Tulane Reading Project will serve as a major component for the Forum Tulane Initiative. Starting this year, Tulane will work to thread a theme throughout various discussions and activities during the school year.

For the 2015-2016 Forum Tulane the theme will be Resilience. This theme could not be any more appropriate for Tulane’s campus, the memoir Men We Reapedand the city of New Orleans.

This was my first year on the Reading Project committee and it made me realize how much effort goes into deciding which book to pick for the year. The committee reads books throughout the year, read some more during the fall, and then read more over winter break. All the reading in hopes of finding a book like Men We Reaped , that is both a well-crafted text and something that will connect with the incoming class of students.

With Men We Reaped and Forum Tulane now aspects of campus we are sure to all be in for a great school year!

Two Days in NOLA- Part 4

We've made it to the finale of our "Two Days in NOLA" series of blogs. You've read about eating, sports, art, history, literature, and eating some more. Finally, we'd like to introduce you to our last itinerary:Life as a Tulane Student!

Life as a Tulane Student- Jen Millman- 2015 Tulane grad and Admission Intern

Morning:

Rise and shine!  To start off your day like a Tulane student, head to Satsuma on Maple Street or Refuel on Hampson Street (they are practically neighbors) for breakfast/brunch.  Both serve a great mix of breakfast dishes, sandwiches, etc.

One of the Benedicts from Refuel. Their grits are also some of the best!

After brunch, walk up Maple Street towards Broadway Street and stop in at some of the local boutique shops. 

Afternoon:

Next, I suggest you take a walk around Audubon Park, which you will find across from Tulane's campus on St. Charles Street.  Audubon is seen as an extension of campus, and students frequently go for walks/runs/bike rides around the 1.8 mile track that circumnavigates the park. 

The always beautiful Audubon Park. Just across the street from campus!

By now I'm sure you will be ready for meal number two, so for lunch, I recommend St. James Cheese Company on Prytania Street (and grab a cone at Creole Creamery next door for dessert) or Milk Bar on South Carrolton (between Maple and Hampson).  Both have delicious sandwiches and salads and are also available for takeout.    

St. James has a great variety of sandwiches, salads, and cheese boards!

 If you happen to be in town on a Friday, definitely head to the LBC Quad in the center of campus and join us for Fridays at the Quad, complete with live music and free food starting at 4pm!

Evening:

After FAQ, head to "The Fly" for sunset.  "The Fly", or the levee, which is just past the zoo in Audubon Park, is the closest thing we have to a beach near campus, and Tulane students spend a lot of time there with a blanket, a football or frisbee, some crawfish, and friends to enjoy a sunny afternoon or a beautiful sunset over the Mississippi River.

An afternoon at the Fly!

For dinner, go to Rum House on Magazine Street.  This funky Caribbean taqueria is a fan favorite among Tulane students! If you're here early in the week, make sure to go on Tuesday for $2 tacos.

After dinner, stroll around the Frenchman Art Market on Frenchman Street downtown.  Walking around this area will also give you a wonderful feel for the live jazz music that makes this city so unique. Pop into venues like The Maison or The Spotted Cat for some great, usually free music.

The Frenchman Art Market!

To end your day as Tulane student (minus the classes, of course), visit Cafe du Monde at Jackson Square for beignets and cafe au lait. 

You will frequently find Tulane students at all of these locations around the city, so once your day is over, you can pretty much call yourself a Tulanian! 

So there we have it folks, some great ideas from our Admission staff on ways to see New Orleans through the lens of your choice. You can't go wrong no matter which you choose! We hope to see you down here soon!

Two Days in NOLA- Part 3

Over the past couple weeks we have been sharing our office's ideas for quick itineraries for your visit to Tulane and New Orleans. Whether you like to eat, stay active, or a combination of activities, we hope that one of our ideas will help you make the most of your trip. Next up we've got plans for your academic side.

The Literature Lover- Rachael Thompson Accavitti, Assistant Director

Start with brunch at Restaurant Stanley.

This restaurant, conveniently located right off of Jackson Square, serves its patrons updated versions of comfort foods and creole staples.  It’s the perfect place for a literature lover to start his or her tour of New Orleans, as it is named for Stanley Kowalski—a character made famous in Tennessee Williams’s A Streetcar Named Desire.  Order either the Eggs Stanley with cornmeal-crusted oysters or the Eggs Stella with softshell crab.  And if you just so happen to be visiting during the annual Tennessee Williams Literary Festival, which takes place each spring, give your best shot at winning the “STELLA” shouting contest in the Square.

Eggs Stanley from Restaurant Stanley.

Next, visit 624 Pirate's Alley, the current site of Faulkner House Books and William Faulkner's former residence.

Just around the corner, opposite the Saint Louis Cathedral’s rear garden, is Faulkner House Books.  Designated a National Literary Landmark by the Friends of American Libraries, this building might appear to be simply a charming, albeit very charming, bookstore.  But it also happens to be one of the spots where William Faulkner lived (and made mischief) in New Orleans.  In addition to your average literature lover, famous writers such as Roy Blount Jr., Joan Williams, and Willie Morris have made the mecca to this site.

Grab a Lucky Dog, and check out the Ignatius J. Reilly statue at the 800 block of Canal by the Hyatt French Quarter.

It’s nearly impossible to walk through the French Quarter and not notice these hot dog food carts.  Most popular with late night patrons, literature lovers should also grab a snack from this stand which bears a striking resemblance to the Paradise Vendors that served as a key plot detail in John Kennedy Toole’s A Confederacy of Dunces.  As you eat, venture to the 800 block of Canal to see statue of the novel’s main character Ignatius J. Reilly.

Ignatius J. Reilly of A Confederacy of Dunces

Take a walking tour of the Garden District to view Anne Rice’s residences and other places that inspired her works.

Hop on a streetcar at Canal, and ride to the Garden District.  Then, take a leisurely stroll through the streets of Uptown New Orleans, pausing to look at the various gothic homes and guest houses important to Anne Rice, author of such novels as Interview with the Vampire and Queen of the Damned.

See Tulane’s Law School

Next head over to Tulane’s campus to see the Law School where Darby Shaw of John Grisham’s The Pelican Brief was a student.

Tulane's beautiful Law School is right on our Uptown campus.

 Eat at Antoine's, inspiration for Frances Parkinson Keyes's Dinner at Antoine's.

At night, head back to the French Quarter for dinner at the New Orleans institution that is Antoine’s.  In addition to laying claim to the title “Oldest family run restaurant in the United States,” Antoine’s is also the setting for Francis Parkinson Keyes’s murder mystery Dinner at Antoine’s.  Try the Oysters Rockefeller, a dish which Antoine’s supposedly invented.

Cap off the night at Hotel Monteleone's Carousel Bar.

More than just a watering hole, the Carousel Bar at the beautiful Hotel Monteleone is a fitting last stop on any literature lover’s tour of New Orleans.  The hotel, founded in 1886, has long been a favorite haunt of notable authors including Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, William Faulkner, Truman Capote, and John Grisham.  Some say the place is haunted.  Everyone says it is pretty darn cool.

The Carousel Bar at Hotel Monteleone.

The History Buff- Nora Colman, Admission Counselor and 2015 Tulane Grad

One of the many wonderful things about New Orleans is its rich multicultural history. Whether paying homage to its French and Spanish past or learning about its war effort during WWII, there are lots of great destinations to check out to not only learn about the history of New Orleans, but also American history itself.  Here are some “must-sees”:

Oak Alley Plantation - 3645 LA-18, Vacherie, LA

Located only about an hour outside of New Orleans, Oak Alley Plantation is a breathtaking rewind in history. Visitors can visit the mansion (with mostly original furniture), walk along the Mississippi, and walk through the old slave quarters and farms. Oak Alley Plantation (in typical New Orleans fashion) not only tells us a lot about New Orlean’s past in the Civil War, but is even featured in many Hollywood movies and music videos. The Plantation is famous for its “Oak Alley” – about a hundred oak trees line the path up to the house. It is a trip completely worth making! Bonus: Eat a traditional Louisiana lunch and a world-famous Mint Julep!

The beautiful and historic Oak Alley

Lafayette Cemetery and the Garden District –1427 Sixth street

Lafayette Cemetery, located right across the street from Commander’s Palace, is a great place to go to learn about the history of Voodoo in New Orleans. Not only will you learn about New Orleans culture, but also the history of its people. For example, many of the victims of the Yellow Fever epidemic were buried in this cemetery. During this epidemic, a few doctors got together to study the disease and their efforts helped found Tulane! I recommend taking a walking tour of the Garden District so that you can be guided through the cemetery and learn more about the houses in the Garden District. You’ll even get to see some local celebrity’s houses as well.

New Orleans cemeteries are unique due to our proximity to sea level.

Napoleon House – 500 Chartres street

The Napoleon House, located in the French Quarter, was offered to Napoleon Bonaparte in 1821. A meal in the Napoleon House transports you straight back into the nineteenth century! Don’t miss out on their world-famous Pimm’s Cup as well. Their menu offers a blend of Italian and Cajun food with everything from Poboys to Gelato!

National World War II Museum – 945 Magazine street

The National WWII Museum here is hands down the best museum I’ve ever been to. It’s modern, informational, and encompasses all parts of the war. You can even take a tour of a Higgins boat (made in New Orleans in the 1940s) that actually brought American soldiers into the Mediterranean during the war. You could honestly spend three full days at the museum, but here are the must-sees:
-    Beyond All Boundaries 4D movie – 45 minutes narrated by Tom Hanks, amazing experience!
-    Road to Berlin exhibit – lots of great artifacts and oral histories!
-    USS Tang Submarine experience
-    Higgins boat tour

The exterior of the National WWII Museum. A truly amazing experience.

Being a history major (and history buff myself), I’ve loved exploring the city both within Tulane and on my own. If all you can manage to do is make it to campus, be sure to also check out the Amistad Research Center (located right next to Gibson Hall) – the nation’s oldest collection of African American historical documents and sources. While there are dozens of things that you can do in two days in New Orleans, here are just a few to kick off your historical interests. Happy exploring!

The Art Lover- Becca Greaves, Admission Counselor and 2015 Tulane Grad

New Orleans is home to some top notch galleries and art! As a graduate from Tulane's theater department, I've always enjoyed being able to hit a performance or opening to check out local artists and performers. Here are some of my quick tips to get your art fix in New Orleans!
  
Stroll down Julia Street
 Home to many galleries, spend some time popping in and out before heading to any of these great museums
- World War II Museum
-Contemporary Arts Center
-Ogden Museum of Southern Art

Check out the New Orleans Concert Line
 This website compiles all of the concerts, festivals, theater, and comedy in New Orleans. Many events are free, so take a look before you come down to visit campus!

Tipitina's, home to Free Concert Friday every summer.

Head to the Saenger Theater

 Home to Broadway-level theater, the Saenger is a historic venue that is actually on the National Register of Historic Places!

Two Days in NOLA- Part 2

Last week, we published the first installment in our "Two Days in NOLA" series. These posts are made up of themed itineraries for you and your family to use while you come down to New Orleans and visit us at Tulane! We've seen the Frugal Foodie and the Health Nut, and this week we're on to two more ideas brought to you by our Admissions team.

The Outdoorsy Family- Neill Aguiluz, Admission Counselor & 2009 Tulane Grad

Although New Orleans may not boast the hiking trails of New Hampshire or Colorado, there are still many ways to enjoy the outdoors! Here are some activities that you can take advantage of to get outside and burn off some of those unavoidable New Orleans calories.

1. Big Easy Bayou Tour – 2 hour kayaking tour of Bayou St. John

Take a leisurely paddle through some New Orleans neighborhoods and take in the various architecture. Bayou St. John is also home to the Bayou Boogaloo music festival in May

Taking a paddle though the neighborhoods on Bayou St. John

Bayou Boogaloo!

2. Crescent Park

 This recently-opened park offers unparalleled views of the New Orleans skyline, and is very close to some amazing restaurants like Elizabeth's and The Joint. The Bywater is quickly becoming a hotspot for food and culture in New Orleans.

The view from Crescent Park!

3. Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve – Barataria Preserve in Marrero

Jean Lafitte offers a taste of Louisiana's ecosystems and is a great place to check out the swamps, critters, and gators that make Louisiana unique. Over 200 species of birds can be found in the Preserve, along with alligators, nutria, and other wildlife.

 They also have an info center in the Quarter that you could visit before or after Crescent Park. \

The Sports Addict- Adam Griego- Operations Manager and 2014 Tulane Grad

If you are a sports addict like me, there is a lot to do in the city of New Orleans to subdue any cravings you may have. In two days, you can venture to a number of sports related places all around the city that has hosted 10 Super Bowls(including 3 on Tulane’s campus in the 1970s!) For me, I separated my two day sports excursion into Recreation and Food.

Recreation:

City Putt

City Putt is a 36-hole putt-putt complex in the heart of City Park. The two courses themes will teach you a little bit about New Orleans’ streets and their origins or about the history of various parishes around the state of Louisiana. The facility opened up less than 3 years ago and is a great place to spend a few hours participating in some friendly competition.

Fair Grounds

When in season, the Fair Grounds is a great place to spend some free time enjoying some horse racing while also people watching. One night a year, the track hosts a series of exotic animal races including ostriches, zebras, and some of New Orleans’ favorite mascots.

Professional Sports Games

Between the Saints (NFL), Pelicans (NBA), Zephyrs (MiLB AAA-Marlins affiliate), and VooDoo (Arena Football), there is most likely a professional sporting event going on around the city while you are in town. You cannot go wrong going out to support any of these four teams when they are playing at home. If visiting during the summer months, check out the Zephyrs promotion schedule, and you might go home with some nice takeaways or some memories of their incredible Friday night firework shows.

It's hard to beat the atmosphere at a Saints game.

Rock N Bowl

A Tulane student and alumni favorite is a night spent at Rock N Bowl. Rock N Bowl is an 18 lane bowling alley located minutes away from Tulane’s campus. In addition to some family bowling, Rock N Bowl offers live music on various nights ranging from Cajun/Zydeco, Swing, Jazz, Blues, and many others. If you are trying to do anything on this list, Rock N Bowl is a must.

Zydeco Night at Rock N Bowl!

TPC/Audubon/City Park

If you are a golfer at heart and need to get a few swings in while visiting campus, visit TPC(host of the Zurich Classic), Audubon Park (directly across the street), or the City Park driving range/golf course. After every finals week at Tulane and in high school, I would visit the driving range at City Park to transition out of my nocturnal study habits.

Food:

Bobby Hebert’s Cajun Cannon

Bobby Hebert(former Saints QB) has opened up a new restaurant in Metairie which is filled with sports memorabilia that he accumulated through his years in the NFL and the AFL. The menu has a number of items with a Cajun twist that will leave you wanting more.

Bruno’s

 Bruno’s Tavern is a 5 minute walk from campus and offers a great atmosphere to watch any sporting events going on around the country. If Tulane baseball is playing, you better believe Bruno’s will be playing it on the big screen. The tavern is popular among students and alumni, and students with meal plans can use their NolaBucks for some of the great food options. My go to is the Debris Fries. o

Domelise’s

This is not only one of the best po-boy shops in the city, but this is where Archie and Olivia Manning sent their boys for one of their first part-time jobs before making it big at Ole Miss, Tennessee, and the NFL. With a number of signed photos from Archie, Peyton, and Eli, Domelise’s is a great stop to enjoy a delicacy of our city while seeing some candid photos of the young Manning boys.

A delicious Domelise's po-boy

Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & RestaurantL

ucy’s is a favorite spot of students and their parents when visiting the city. There is limited outdoor seating available for those traveling with people under 18, but this is one of my go-to places because of the number of Saints players and coaches who stop in for a post-victory drink or bite to eat. From Drew Brees to Rob Ryan, you may have a chance at a run-in with one of our boys in the Black and Gold.

Two Days in NOLA- Part 1

Here in 210 Gibson Hall, the question "what should we do in New Orleans?" is heard almost every day. We love pointing our visitors towards our favorite restaurants, sites, and activities, but we thought it would be fun to take it a step further.

Since so many families come visit New Orleans for just a night or two, we've decided to put together some two-day itineraries for different types of travelers. From the Frugal Foodie to the Sports Addict to the History Buff, our Tulane Admission brain trust came together to provide y'all with different ideas of how to explore our favorite city. In total, we have 8 trips, and we've got the first two for you here today. And of course, they're all about the food!

Hop on the streetcar and go check out these great ideas from our Admission team. Photo by Don Chamblee.

The Frugal Foodie- Owen Knight, Admission Counselor and 2014 Tulane Grad

New Orleans is a food city, and an amazing one at that. However, it can quickly become expensive to try all of these great restaurants you’ve heard of. Fortunately, it is very possible to eat world class food here without breaking the bank. Saving money after flying your family of four down here? Broke college student visiting a friend? Take a look at these happy hour deals and cheap eats!

Lunch: Vietnamese at Lilly's Cafe
New Orleans is home to a large Vietnamese population and thus some great authentic Vietnamese restaurants. I’ve eaten at 7 of the Vietnamese places in New Orleans, and Lilly’s Is the leader of the pack. Definitely treat yourself to some spring rolls ($4/order) and then Vermicelli with Pork or Chicken ($7.95). The pho is also the best I’ve had in New Orleans, and is a bargain and a half at $8.50. Lilly’s location far down Magazine street will allow you to take a nice streetcar ride, or take a drive down one of the best shopping streets in New Orleans.

Pho from Lily's (Chris Granger, nola.com).

Dinner: Pizza Happy Hour at Domenica or Pizza Domenica
You’ve heard of John Besh. Everybody’s heard of John Besh. The charming southern chef owns six of the hottest restaurants in New Orleans. From August to Borgne, you can’t find a bad meal at a Besh restaurant. However, most of the meals ain’t cheap. Fortunately, Domenica has a happy hour that rivals the best. From 2-5pm, pizzas and libations are half price ($9 for a gourmet pizza). Try a couple pies for the table (my favorites include the clam and prosciutto), and you MUST order the cauliflower appetizer. Thank me later.

 Two pizzas and kale from Pizza Domenica (Ken S. on TripAdvisor).

Breakfast: Uptown’s own  Panola Street Cafe
Panola Street Cafe is one of my weekend staples. Just minutes from campus, this neighborhood joint serves up some of the best breakfast and iced coffee in town. It’s also very reasonably priced. You can’t deny a $6 bacon egg and cheese with hash browns, and the California Benedict is the way to go if you’re feeling fancy.

Lunch: America’s Best Fried Chicken at Willie Mae’s
Willie Mae’s Scotch House is a New Orleans staple. By something close to a miracle, they opened a second location just five minutes walking from Tulane’s Gibson Hall. Willie Mae’s Grocery and Deli offers the same amazing chicken and sides at a great price- $10 for a plate. While the tagline of “America’s Best” is often abused, Willie Mae’s certainly worthy of it. Go grab some before your tour!

Who else wants to eat their computer? (Craig Cavallo)

Happy Hour: 50 Cent Oysters at Superior Seafood
The title says it all. 50. Cent. Oysters. Superior Seafood has a great location right on Saint Charles at Napoleon, and Gulf Coast oysters are an absolute steal at this price.

So there you have it- two days of affordable meals that are still delicious. Just because you’re saving money doesn’t mean that you don’t get to treat yo self. Happy eating!

The Health Nut- Rachel Rosenberg, Admission Counselor and 2014 Tulane Grad

While I am in no way claiming to be a health nut myself, I know a lot of people come to New Orleans looking for good food that's not super heavy or fried. I'm here to point y'all in that direction!

Breakfast- Satusma
Popular amongst Tulane students- great salads, sandwiches, and a different “Pancake of the Day” every morning!

Lunch – Seed
A new vegan restaurant with great fresh options for vegans, vegetarians, or gluten free folks.

Raw Veggie Spaghetti (Seed on FB)

Snack – D’Juice
Fruit and vegetable smoothies and juices, all with fresh ingredients. Perfect for a snack, or add whey protein to a smoothie for a meal replacement

Dinner – Carmo
Vegan-friendly restaurant in the Warehouse District – I recommend the banana nut bread for dessert! 

The Rico Salad from Carmo (Lorin Gaudin)

Also make sure to take advantage of Audubon Park’s 2 mile track across the street from campus, or rent bikes or paddle boats at City Park if you’re looking for some activity between meals!

So there you have it, our first two specialized itineraries! Check back soon for the next two. We hope to see you in New Orleans soon!

Five Things You’ll Learn Only at Tulane, Only in New Orleans

Christopher Halbohn

            Your college experience will undoubtedly be the most amusing, most terrifying, and most clarity-producing four years of your existence. It’s a time of loving, learning, and growing that life and your parents have allotted so that you can become a responsible, productive member of society. Further, it’s a time that could not be better spent anywhere else but Tulane. Four years ago, I found myself in your exact place—high school senior, good grades, involved in loads of extracurricular activities—wondering where it would be that I spend the (arguably) most important years of my young life. I know what a harrowing process this situation truly is, so let me provide you with some wise words from the perspective of a Tulane senior. The following five adages are a collection of things I learned over the course of my time here that each of you could look forward to.

    1)   There is such a thing as a free lunch.

I’m sure your parents have told you numerous times that “nothing in life is free.” I grew up hearing that ominous phrase almost daily as my mom and dad worked hard to prepare me for the “harsh realities” of the real world. One of my proudest moments as a Tulanian was stumbling upon a lunch hosted by Tulane’s Latin American Studies department, staying for the delicious quesadillas and nachos that seemed to be never-ending, then calling my parents right after to inform them that they were indeed wrong—free lunches do exist! You’ll learn quickly that the amount of opportunities for free items at Tulane is limitless. From your first day on campus, you’ll be inundated with ice cream socials, t-shirts, pizza, water bottles, hats, sunglasses, and really any other random item adorned with the words “Tulane University” that crosses your mind. College kids love free things, especially food. Know those opportunities exist in every corner of campus and seek them out.

 Serving beet burgers during Finals Week my sophomore year at Cram Jam, when Bruff serves free food to all Tulane students!

    2)   Using “y’all” is cool.

You don’t need to be from the South to start using the conjunction “y’all.” First off, it’s super convenient. It’s the English equivalent to the French “vous” and allows your speech to be a little clearer. When you ask a group of friends, “What are you doing tonight?” who are you actually referring to? It’s a bit unclear. “What are y’all doing tonight?” makes your question a little clearer. Fewer people will be confused! Second, it allows you to further embrace the Southern culture. Leaving New York, I knew I wanted an experience different than the one I had growing up in the Northeast. Almost immediately, I embraced the Southern lifestyle. Now, don’t get me wrong—I was no impostor by any means. But I slowed my pace down a bit and appreciated life’s little things. This wasn’t something that I found New Yorkers to be particularly good at doing. Little by little, the South will creep into your soul just as quickly as the humidity in New Orleans forces you to sweat. And that leads us to the next thing:

Nothing says Louisiana more than holding a baby alligator; you'll have plenty of chances to do this! 

   3)   Everyone sweats. Some people do it a little prettier than others.

Face it: you’re considering (or have already decided) that Tulane is the perfect fit for you, so you’re well aware of Tulane’s location in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the heart of the Deep South. Simply said, it gets warm here, but mainly in the summer months. The humidity acts as a blanket that keeps you a little too warm even when you don’t want it. The climate will probably be most shocking for those from drier parts, those unfamiliar with the idea of constant moisture in the air. As a Long Islander, the summer weather here was not all that surprising; summers on Long Island are often hot and humid too! No matter what your experience is though, everyone is going to sweat. Some glisten; others drip. That’s just the way it is. I was (and still am) a dripper. But a little sweat never hurt anyone and plus, the heat breaks in October and you’ll have eight glorious months of unbeatable weather. Think about those amazing Snapchats you can send your friends in Boston or Chicago, who are freezing as they walk to class, while you study on the LBC quad in a bathing suit. The weather here makes everyone a little more cheery and a whole lot more willing to celebrate life! The warmer months are the months that see the most outdoor festivals in New Orleans: Ponchatoula Strawberry Fest, Freret Street Festival, and Jazzfest are just three examples of celebrations that get New Orleanians outside to soak up the sun!

Check out Oak Alley Plantation about 40 minutes from New Orleans and escape the heat under the oak trees that line the walkway to the front door! 

   4)   Expect all of your beliefs to be challenged. ALL.

In short, this is how you learn best. I’m sure each one of you has your own opinion about anything and everything. That’s wonderful; however, you will take classes at Tulane across numerous different departments that will teach you concepts you’ve never covered before. If you identify as Republican, take James Carville’s class. Learn about democracy and the political climate of the United States from one of the foremost Democratic strategists in the entire nation. Or, if you have covered those topics before, you will discover certain nuances about them that redefine your paradigm. If the classes at Tulane don’t challenge your set of beliefs, then your newly-made friends sure will. One of my best friends at Tulane admitted to me after months of knowing me that he assumed Long Island was just another name for Manhattan. Of course, I was shocked about this! I thought everyone knew New York. I thought everyone knew Long Island. But I was wrong. That’s a small example, but a very representative one at that. You will meet people from all walks of life: children of celebrities, students who’ve been on television shows, students who are the first in their families to attend college, and more. You’ll also meet people from all fifty, incredibly unique states. Breaking down the mental blinders you may have placed on yourselves over the years is the only way to truly understand people. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone!

Canoeing through the creeks of southern Mississippi during my freshman year was not something I'd ever imagine doing!

   5)   Not four years, for life.

The friends you will inevitably make during your time here will be your best friends for the rest of your life. Four years may seem like a short amount of time, but the relationships you build will not disappear and become void when you leave Tulane. The thought of graduating in merely two weeks is sobering and mildly horrifying; it would be even scarier if I did not meet the people I did when I came here. When I arrived at Tulane a week before classes started in 2011 (wow, I’m old) for the Explore program, I was alone. I came without knowing anyone from home and quickly realized, wow, I’m 1300 miles from Long Island. A few hours later, I found myself in rural Mississippi on a campsite where I was unknowingly hanging out with my two best friends in the entire world. Yes, it’s scary. And yes, we all think that. BUT DO NOT WORRY. Surviving awkward encounters at the Boot, rallying through the marathon that is Mardi Gras, eating pizza at weird hours of the night, and simply exploring the city of New Orleans will undoubtedly bring you closer to whoever it is you meet. It’s not just the relationships that you’ll keep when you leave Tulane. You’ll also maintain a love for service, the network of alumni, and each of the lessons you learned that will define who you become.

Samantha and Lauren, my two best friends since Day 1 of freshman year, during Voodoo Experience music festival!

And that’s that. Upon arrival, you will know that Tulane was the perfect choice. From the city of New Orleans to the people who comprise this university, your life here will be the most exciting life you’d ever dream of having. I promise you that. Be prepared to change, though. College will do that to you.